
Hanoi (VNA) - The first-ever centrefor examining fine art works and photographs has been opened by the Departmentfor Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sportsand Tourism.
Vi Kien Thanh, director of the department, saidthe centre was inaugurated after eight months of preparation due to the factthat there have been many convincing imitations of famous artists’ works soldin the country.
The centre will work as a public service, Thanhsaid, adding that while no other individual or organisation wants to takeresponsibility to examine art works, the State-run department will do the workfor a short time so the fine arts market is transparent. Maybe after a shorttime, some agencies will take on the duty.
The centre will receive submissions and givefeedback within seven days. A contract will be signed, and the centre willissue a report on the authenticity of the works after 15 days.
For cases that require high-tech skills, thecentre will ask for support from the Ministry of Public Security’s NationalInstitute of Criminal Sciences. The results may be issued later according toagreements between customers and the centre.
The centre’s examining council includes variousprestigious names including painters Luong Xuan Doan and Thanh Chuong,researcher Phan Cam Thuong, sculptors Vuong Hoc Bao and Le Lang Luong andphotographer Vu Quoc Khanh.
Customers will pay the council an examination feethat will vary based on the number of works to be inspected. The fee forexamining one to three works will be 35 million VND (1,500 USD), four to 10works costs 70 million VND, 11 to 20 works costs 140 million VND and more than50 costs 281 million VND.-VNA