On display at the "Present from the Past" exhibition in Sydney, Australia are reconstructed Vietnamese imperial costumes. (Photo: VNA)Sydney (VNA) – An exhibition took place in Sydney, Australia on September6 – 15, featuring artworks and designs inspired by Vietnamese culture duringthe Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945).
Theexhibition, named “Present from the Past,” was held by the Vietnam Centre (VNC)– a non-government and non-profit organisation that promotes Vietnamese culture to the world.
Though theNguyen Dynasty lasted only 143 years, the imprints it left on Vietnam’s cultural identity are undeniably profound and impactful. Theculture of that time has been an endless inspiration and abundant resource forartists and designers.
The exhibitionaimed to introduce artworks and designs inspired by that time as well as thesophisticated and opulent vestiges of Vietnam’s last dynasty which were createdby Vietnamese contemporary artists, most of whom are in their 20s.
Among thosedisplayed at the event were collections of reconstructed Vietnamese ancientitems, imperial costumes andpaintings alongside modernised Vietnamese ancient clothing. Photos of architectural works built in theNguyen era were also exhibited.
Notably, theaudience was fascinated by apair of “phap lam” vases with illustrations of northern dances and the motif of “to nu” (FairMaidens). “Phap lam” is a technique of enameling ceramics on a metal base(gold, silver, copper) introduced to Vietnam in the early 19th century. At itsfinest, the products of “phap lam” are considered a combination of the ceramicindustry with jewellery.Those products used to be produced only for Nguyen royalty.
According to HanhNguyen, a member of organizing team, the exhibition was supported by Y Van Hien, a Hanoi-based company that producesreconstructed Vietnamese ancient attire./.
VNA
