A painting of tuong by artist Phung Nguyen Quang at an exhibition titled Paint the Art of Tuong (Photo courtesy of the organisers) HCM City (VNA) - Dozens of paintingsand sculptures featuring performers and plays of Tuong and Hat Boi(classical drama), a Vietnamese traditional theatre originating in the 12thcentury, are now on display at the Garden Mall in HCM City.
The works were created by 140 painters and artistsin theatre, movie and graphic design.
The event, Paint the Art of Tuong, waslaunched by the HCM City Theatre Association and its partners. It has attractedyoung actors and theatre painters such as Meritorious Artist Huu Danh, HuynhKim Lien, Nhut Nguyen and Pham Quang Phuc.
A talk show on Tuong hosted by veteranartists of the HCM City Theatre of Hat Boi Art will be organisedevery night during the event.
Famous traditional plays such as Ho Nguyet CoHoa Cao (Nguyet Co Turning into a Fox) and San Hau (The Reign)will be staged.
Tuong developed from a folk art into a royalart in the 17th century.
Along with traditional arts such as Cheo (traditionalopera) in the north, Cai Luong (reformed opera) in the south, Tuong (classicaldrama) has contributed to the Vietnamese spirit.
Tuong’s themes include monarchist loyalty andpatriotic duty which define the play’s structure, features, language, music,colour, struggles and the personality of the characters.
The art, which consists of singing and dancingaccompanied by music, is highly stylised and filled with symbolism.
The works require performers to practisediligently and wear costumes sometimes weighing up to 10 kilos.
The performers use their entire body, from thefingers and elbows to all of the muscles to perform movements on stage. Theymust have a strong voice to sing and dance at the same time and expressemotions of each character.
The exhibition is open from 10am to 9pm at 190 HongBang Street in District 5. It will close on February 10.-VNA
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