EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 20-31 (daily updated) Subscription Concert Vol.74 “Rheinische” 30 and 31 Oct 2014, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to a subscription concert Vol.74 “Rheinische” with the performance of: Conductor: Olivier Leo Schmidt Piano Soloist: Dao Trong Tuyen And the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra Program Suite for Symphonic Orchestra World Premiere Eight Symphonic pieces from Vietnamese folk song Piano Concerto a-minor Op.54 Vietnam Premiere Symphony No.3 Eb major Op.97 “Rhenish” Vietnam Premiere Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, 350000, 500000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at vnso.org.vn. For free delivery Call: 0913489858, 0983067996. Screening of Film “Une Pure Affaire” Fri 31 Oct 2014, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to the film screening Une Pure Affaire (France, 2010, 88 mins) directed by Alexandre Coffre. “An impressive and well written comedy starred by François Damien, a not-to-be-missed comedian at this time.” - Le Parisien For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitle. Tickets Ticket price: 40 000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 20 000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. MONO (Japan) Live in Vietnam – The Last Dawn/Ray of Darkness Asian Tour Wed 29 Oct 2014, 8 pm HCMC Conservatory of Music 112 Nguyen Du Str, Dist 1, HCMC We proudly present MONO (Japan), one of the most prominent and unique names in and outisde the loosely-defined post rock in their debut performance in Vietnam. The event is part of the pan-Asian promo concerts supporting the release of the duo Rays of Darkness and The Last Dawn, unquestionably a rare opportunity for lovers of music and Japanese-ism in Vietnam. Somewhere and most prominently in Vietnam, whenever Jmusic gets a mention, it’s consistently X-Japan and the rest. Better (or worse), the presence of Japanese culture remains slim somewhere between the popular and the cult. However, with an open mind, one can peer through only to discover a complex of mega-fantastic, ultra-energetic, super-vivacious subcultures, including music, that thrive, that seek, that define and redefine characters. These are consistently a real treat for the perception however for some reason have remained largely off the mainstream radar, or from the youth culture’s favorites. Put in such context, MONO is an exception, but also a definite Japanese identity on its very own: (forgive this of-used cliché: when Haruki Murakami comes to mind). Their sounds draw from a wider-than-wide range of influences throughout the career, from Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine to German’s maestro Beethoven, Polish Henry Górecki to Italian Ennio Morricone, to the exceptional (non-musical) Lars Von Trier, while all the same time audiences can feel their very Japanese-ness clearly pronounced. The loose term post-rock aside, imagine a massive black marble edifice, divided by clear glass at intervals, until unexpectedly towards the top of the structure it explodes into a shower of fragments, with flames spitting upwards towards a starry sky. Put differently, the music delivered consists of textured melodies and tapestries of sound piled on top of one another, some as dense and impenetrable as the darkest of ocean depths and the next thinner than the highest and lightest of mountain airs, until inevitably the whole thing erupts sending molten rock cascading down around your ears. (Terrascope UK). MONO are in fact far more complex and often compared with such inventive outfits as Stars of the Lid, Explosions in the Sky and Do Make Say Think. The Last Dawn and Rays of Darkness are a pair of new albums by MONO. Recorded simultaneously yet conceptually and creatively disparate, the two act as both opposing and complementary sides to a story. No strangers to narratives, the two albums explore familiar themes for the band: Hope and hopelessness, love and loss, immense joy and unspeakable pain. Those elemental parts of life and the complicated relationships they create have never been more resonant through MONO’s music than they are here. Tickets Ticket prices: 500,000 VND and 700,000 VND Mini DocFest 2014 31 Oct – 02 Nov 2014 29 Oct – 04 Nov 2014 Goethe-Institut Hanoi 56-58 Nguyễn Thái Học, Ba Đình, Hà Nội After the success of Mini DocFest 2012 and 2013, Hanoi DocLab and Goethe-Institute Hanoi are delighted to present the 3rd edition of the Mini DocFest 2014, highlighting new trends in creative documentaries by young Vietnamese filmmakers. Documentary and fiction, narrative and abstract, film and poetry will cross paths at this festival weekend: At the opening night, ‘Fiction Non Fiction Part I’ with Vietnamese short films with blurring boundaries between documentary and fiction, between film and video art, including Truong Que Chi’s ‘Black Sun’ – a winner at this year’s Oberhausen International Short Film Festival; Nguyen Thuy Tien’s ‘1953 Case’ combining documentary with performance; and Ta Minh Duc’s ‘Film No. 1’ mixing narrative and documentary elements, will show Hanoi audiences how far out of the documentary conventions our young filmmakers are willing to go. On the second night, a program of latest productions of the DocLab Basic Workshop 2013 will provide an insight into the process of shaping a new generation of independent documentary and experimental filmmakers in Hanoi. These short films, telling stories with diverse styles and voices, continue Doclab’s tradition of exploring and developing diverse film languages of the individual. Fittingly to the theme of the festival, Osaka-based German filmmaker Werner Penzel – who will be present in Hanoi during the festival to lead a film workshop at Doclab entitled “Haiku Happens” – will screen “Step Across the Border”, an avant-garde black & white 35mm documentary film which won “Best Documentary” at the European Film Awards in 1990, on English guitarist, composer and improviser Fred Frith. On Sunday afternoon, ‘Fiction Non Fiction Part II’ with mixed-genre films, continuing to take the audience on imaginative journeys to Myanmar, Japan, India, and to the inner worlds, will be followed by Nguyen Thi Tham’s feature-length documentary “Madam Phung’s Last Journey”, centering around a group of traveling transvestite singers who spark fascination and hostility from the local people. This film, having been screened extensively at international film festivals worldwide, and received a “Special Mention” at ChopShots Documentary Film Festival Southeast Asia in Jakarta earlier this year, will showcase success stories for independent and socially engaged documentary production projects in Vietnam. The Mini Doc Festival will close on Sunday night with Siu Pham’s experimental film “Homostratus” — which received the Best Unique Vision award at Queen World Film Festival this year in New York. The program also includes other film activities including a panel discussion with invited Vietnamese independent and experimental filmmakers; a presentation led by the Film Study Group (FSG) on Chris Marker’s films; and a workshop on Independent Cinema with Siu Pham. A special presentation of videos from Harun Farocki’s Hanoi workshop “Labor in a Single Shot” will commemorate the renown German filmmaker and video artist who passed away this past August. Farocki will continue to inspire our workshop participants and be dearly remembered by the Hanoi audience who came to see his innovative films in 2013. An exciting weekend full of film screenings, debates and opportunities for exchange offers festival delights for everyone. PROGRAM From Wednesday, 29.10 to Friday, 31.10.2014 Haiku Happens – A filmmaking workshop by Werner Penzel Friday, 31.10.2014 4 pm Presentation and discussion with the Film Studies Group about “On personal Filmmaking” Language: Vietnamese (Venue: Room 402, House I, Đại Học Khoa học Xã Hội và Nhân Văn, Hà Nội) 7 pm Opening “Fiction Non Fiction, Part 1” – Short film program (95’) Q&A with filmmakers after screening 1. Black Sun (12’55,Vietnam, 2013) Director: Trương Quế Chi Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 2. The light-being (Animation, 2’30, Vietnam, 2014) Director: Nguyen Hoang Giang 3. Go ask the garden (8’57, Vietnam, 2014) Director: Đồng Thảo Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 4. Case 1953 (9’54, Vietnam, 2013) Director: Nguyễn Thuỷ Tiên Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 5. Let the ephemeral ecstasies fall into us and fill us up (34’33, Vietnam, 2014) Director: Nhã Thuyên Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 6. Film No. 1 (27’, Vietnam, 2013) Director: Tạ Minh Đức Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles Saturday, 01.11.2014 10 am Panel discussion on how Vietnamese independent and experimental filmmakers create and pursue their own paths, with filmmakers Siu Pham, Nghiem Quynh Trang, Tran Phuong Thao, Nguyen Thi Tham, and Nguyen Trinh Thi. Moderated by Do Van Hoang. 2 pm Film Study Group presents “Stories of the Image” 2: Chris Marker and Critical Thinking in Artistic Practice” Language: Vietnamese 4 pm Step across the border (90’, Germany and Switzerland, 1990) Director: Nicolas Humbert & Werner Penzel Language: English with Vietnamese Subtitles Q&A with director Werner Penzel after the screening 7 pm DOCLAB Basic Workshop Films 2013 Q&A with filmmakers after the screening 1. Amongst the Dawn (10’30) Director: Hạnh Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 2. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (5’45) Director: Quỳnh Anh Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 3. As I Lie Dying (12’56) Director: Phương Anh Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 4. …that I Love and Admire (14’39) Director: Hương Mai Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 5. Blue Wall (15’) Director: Mỹ Hằng Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 6. Two-ish Years (15’) Director: Cẩm Giang Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 7. The Search (5’) Director: Ngọc Anh Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles Sunday, 02.11.2014 10.00 am Series of selected Southeast Asian short films from ChopShots Jakarta 2014 1. Behind the scene (35’, Myanmar, 2013) Director: Aung NwaiHtway Subtitles: Vietnamese and English 2. Where I go (56’, Cambodia, 2013) Director: Neang Kavich Subtitles: Vietnamese and English 3. Another color tivi (8’, Indonesia, 2013) Director: Yovista Ahtajida & Dyantini Adeline Subtitles: English & Vietnamese 2 pm “Fiction Non Fiction, Part 2” – short film program (80’) Q&A with filmmakers after the screening 1. Maudlin Room (8’57, 2013) Director: Đồng Thảo Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 2. Travel with blue Balloon (8’47, 2014) Director: Khổng Việt Bách Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 3. Slowly Passing Trains (21’, 2014) Director: Jamie Maxtone­Graham Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 4. Jo Ha Kyu (10’45, 2012) Director: Nguyễn Trinh Thi Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 5. A Film on the Sofa (25’, 2012) Director: Đỗ Văn Hoàng Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 4.30 pm Madame Phung‘s last journey (86’, Vietnam, 2014) Director: Nguyễn Thị Thắm Language: Vietnamese with English subtitles 6 pm Homostratus (77’, Vietnam, 2013) Director: Siu Pham Language: Vietnamese with English subtitle Q&A with director Siu Pham after screening Monday, 03.11 and Tuesday, 04.11.2014 6 pm – 9pm Public workshop on independent cinema with filmmaker Siu Pham Language: Vietnamese Live Electronic Night with Anchorsong (Tru Thoughts / BBE, TOKYO) Sat 25 Oct 2014, 8 pm ATK 73a Mai Hac De, Hanoi You are invited to a live electronic night with ANCHORSONG for the first time in Hanoi as part of his Autumn Asian tour. Anchorsong ‒ aka Masaaki Yoshida – has become globally recognized for mesmerizing live shows, which people have described as “like watching a painter drawing on a white canvas”. He creates layers of blissful electronica live using a sampler and keyboard, creating an atmosphere which is destined to send you into seventh-heaven. He will be supported by Vietnamese artists and DomDom wonder-experimentalist Nguyễn Đỗ Minh Quân. Tickets: 80,000 VND (at the door) A Night of Concert and Ballet – Changing of the Seasons Fri 24 Oct 2014, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi Don’t forget a night of concert and ballet “Changing of the Seasons” with the performance of: Piano Soloist: Huy Phuc, Violin Soloist: Tuan Anh, Cello Soloist: Anh Tu and the Dancers of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Program 1. Duo from ballet “Nutcracker” 2. Piano-Violin- Cello Trio: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires 3. Classic Ballet “Les Sylphides” (Chopiniana) Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, 350000, 500000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at www.ticketvn.com. For free delivery Call: 0913489858, 0983067996. Concert with Katharina Padrok and Boris Schönleber Sat 25 Oct 2014, 8 pm Vietnam National Academy of Music 77 Hao Nam Str, Hanoi — Sun 26 Oct 2014, 8 pm Goethe Institut 56-58 Nguyễn Thái Học Ba Đình, Hà Nội Already in 2013 Katharina Padrok (mezzo-soprano) and Boris Schönleber (piano) inspired the audience at the Goethe Institute Hanoi. This year their concert program includes a musical journey through time in songs: from Romanticism, with works by Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann, they draw the bow to the 20th century, Hugo Wolf and the late romantic songs by Richard Strauss. In addition to the concerts both of the artists hold a master class for students of the National Academy of Music who study the subject “Vocals” from 20th to 24th of October. Free entrance. Attention: At Goethe Institut, due to the limited number of seats, we ask for your understanding that young visitors are invited only until the age of 12. Program Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) From „Deutsche Volkslieder“ „Feinsliebchen du sollst mir nicht barfuß geh`n“ „Soll sich der Mond nicht heller scheinen“ „Erlaube mir fein`s Mädchen“ „Da unten im Tale“ „Es wohnet ein Fiedler“ Robert Schumann (1810-1856) „Frauenliebe und Leben“ Opus 42 „Seit ich ihn gesehen“ „Er, der Herrlichste von allen“ „Ich kann´s nicht fassen, nicht glauben“ „Du Ring an meinem Finger“ „Helft mir, ihr Schwestern“ „Süßer Freund, du blickest“ „An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust“ „Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan“ ********* Pause ********* Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) From „Italienisches Liederbuch“ „Auch kleine Dinge können uns entzücken“ „Wer rief Dich denn“ „Nun lass uns Frieden schließen“ „Mein Liebster singt“ „Ich hab in Penna“ Richard Strauss (1864-1949) „All mein Gedanken“ „Ich trage meine Minne“ „Allerseelen“ „Die Nacht“ „Schlagende Herzen“ „Morgen“ „Zueignung“ See also Piano Recital with Boris Schönleber from Berlin on 19 Oct Katharina Padrok, mezzo-soprano, studied violin at the conservatory Hannover and vocal pedagogy and school music at the University of Fine Arts Berlin. Her soloist repertoire is much multisided and contains a variety of song programs, contemporary music and Tango songs from Astor Piazolla, which she has adapted and restaged in a fascinating manner. Besides her active stage career Katharina Padrok is working as a vocals tutor at the conservatory in Frankfurt as well as at the University of Arts and Music Büdingen. Boris Schönleber is a freelance pianist in Berlin. He studied with Alexander Malter and visited master classes of well-known pianists. In July 1998 he passed his “Performers Diploma” at the “Guildhall School of Music and Drama” (London) with distinction. Boris Schönleber is working as piano soloist, vocal accompanist and chamber musician in Berlin and all over the German Republic. Artist’s Talk with Benjamin Badock Sat 25 Oct 2014, 4 pm Sao La, HCMC Fine Art Museum 1 Le Thi Hong Gam, Dist 1, HCMC You are invited to workshop and discussion with Benjamin Badock. Benjamin Badock will present his current work and will also show positions of different German artists with the focus on printed graphics. The talk is hosted by The Goethe-Institut Vietnam and Galerie Quynh. Language: English Free entrance. Event Glow Sat 25 Oct 2014, 5 – 11.30 pm West Lake Water Park 614 Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho Dist, Hanoi For the first time ever in Hanoi, we cordially present one of the most fine tuned combination of music and colorful imagination. Open to all ages, this vibrant and massive festival of lights delivers an unforgettable experience for everyone. Headlined by the famous UK artist much loved for his songs, “No Promises”, “Breathless”, “Until You”, SHAYNE WARD, along with other International DJs and top local Vietnamese artists on multiple stages, our doors into the mystical world of magical creatures and beautiful glow in the dark nature scenes will open at 5:00PM. Festival rides, carnival games, vendor booths, cotton candy and other fun carnival type foods, mobile DJ stations, Glow in the dark parade, glow in the dark graffiti painting and face/body painting, 3D tunnel experience, glow stick and prize giveaways, and over 6 hours of nonstop music and performances. Exhibition “20 Years of AFD in Vietnam” at L’Espace Opening: Mon 27 Oct 2014, 6 pm Exhibition: 27 Oct – 08 Nov 2014 L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in Vietnam, a photo exhibition is organized at L’Espace to recognize the supported projects in Vietnam 20 best photographs about Vietnamese landscapes and regional people where flagship projects were conducted by AFD sectors in Vietnam feature in this event. Screening of Film “Le Temps de L’Aventure” Fri 24 Oct 2014, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to the film screening “Just a Sigh” (France, Belgium, 2013, 105 mins) directed by Jérôme Bonnell. For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitle. Tickets Ticket price: 40 000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 20 000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. European Day of Languages 2014 Sat 25 Oct 2014, 9 am – 7 pm Goethe Institut 56-58 Nguyễn Thái HọcBa Đình, Hà Nội On Saturday, October 25th 2014, Goethe-Institut Hanoi is turning into a melting pot of living multilingualism for the fourth time. The European Day of Languages has first been initiated by the Council of Europe and is annually organized by the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC). This year’s participants are the embassies of France, Italy and Poland as well as the Aula Cervantes, the British Council and the Goethe-Institut. Furthermore, the German Academic Exchange Service as well as the Gestión Educativa Consultore from Spain are taking part in the event. As in previous years, the European Day of Languages consists of two parts: scientists, linguists and teachers of foreign languages will have the chance to discuss and exchange experiences within their professions in the morning. In the afternoon the Festival of Languages will be happening and everyone who would like to experience the diversity of European languages is heartily welcome. Program 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Conference “Innovations in Foreign Language Teacher Education 2.0″ Target group: linguists, scientists and language teachers If you wish to attend the conference please register until October 20th with Mrs. Do Thi Thuy ThiThuy.Do@Hanoi.goethe.org Tel: +84 4 37342251 – Ext. 9 2 p.m.-7 p.m. | Festival of Languages Target group: Everyone, families with children are also more than welcome. A registration for the Festival of Languages is not necessary. The participating institutions will present their respective languages and countries. In 30-minute introductions, visitors have the opportunity to learn their first words in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and Polish, and thus gain an impression of the linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe. Additionally, posters, books and brochures that about Europe and its diversity will be showcased. The publisher Nha Xuat Ban Tre will introduce the travel and picture book “ 30 Tage in Europa” (“30 days in Europe”). Everyone who is interested in studying in Spain, Germany and Italy is invited to visit information sessions in the exhibition hall of the Goethe-Institut at 3 p.m. Hue – The Memoirs of E-San Opening: Thu 23 Oct 2014, 4.30 pm Exhibition: 23 – 30 Oct 2014 Then Cafe 63 Le Trung Dinh, Hue Exhibition “The memoirs of E-San rural lifestyle” by Pornsawan Nonthapha was inspired from tools in E-San rural lifestyle. He has used various creative visual arts including Dry point, Mono print and Collograph printmaking techniques mixed with drawing. Semi abstract paintings would feature popular tools to E-San people such as creel, bamboo fish trap in simple and warm colors. About the author: Graduate from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Pornsawan Nonthapha took his master degree at Mahasarakham University, Thailand in May 2014. He has attended several exhibitions, especially in “The 2nd Hue Printmaking Workshop” for his first visit in Vietnam in Jun 2014. French Modern Cuisine Experience at Metropole Hanoi 29 Oct – 01 Nov 2014 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi 15 Ngo Quyen Str, Hanoi For the first time in Hanoi, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi proudly present a marvellous French fine dining experience created by Gilles Reinhardt – executive chef of Paul Bocuse’s 3-Michelin Star restaurant in France. Chef Gilles Reinhardt is widely-considered one of the greatest chefs of the 20th century. He has also been awarded the prestigious craftsmanship title of “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” presented by French President Jacques Chirac in 2004. Bringing fresh Lyonnais produce and the extraordinary culinary methods inherited from the legendary Bocuse, Chef Reinhardt will be presenting a delectable dinner menu consisting of Truffle Soup “Elysee 1975”, Scallops Gnocchi with Leek and Herb Sauce, Bourgeois-Style Pan-Roasted Pigeon, Lobster Gratin in the style of Fernand Point and many more dishes. The menu highlight is ‘Black Truffle Soup “Elysee 1975”. It is a legendary dish which Bocuse created in 1975 and it was served for former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing at the Elysée Palace. This later became Bocuse’s signature dish and the soup has been served at his renowned restaurant in Lyon ever since. From 29 – 31 October: + 7-course degustation menu at VND4,620,000++ + 5-course saveurs at VND3,360,000++ + A la carte VND2,520,000++ 1 November: Four hands dinner 6-course degustation menu at VND 4,500,000 ++ Each menu includes a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne for each diner.     Book Launch “Art and Talent” Book launch and expert talk: Thu 23 Oct 2014, 7 pm Goethe-Institut Hanoi 56-58 Nguyễn Thái Học Ba Đình, Hà Nội Art and Talent, a foreground on the 8X contemporary artists generation of Vietnam, is the second publication in Mrs Dao Mai Trang’s book project on the visual art life in Vietnam. Her first publication was published in 2010, 12 contemporary artists of Vietnam, in Vietnamese and English, under the license of The Gioi Publishing House and with the financial support of the Cultural Development and Exchange Fund (CDEF), the Dannish Embassy in Hanoi. The manuscript of Art and Talent was developed from her research essay commissioned by Culture and Arts Magazine, from 2010 to 2012. Then, she corrected and completed as a book manuscript with about 150 images of art works by young artists in all over Vietnam, seeking for financial support for English translation, continuing her independent publication project. Her project is continously granted by CDEF and particularly by the Goethe Institute Hanoi for her Vietnamese printed version. The English version of the book in this project was specially revised by Mr John Kleinen, Ph.D, Associate Professor Emritus, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), the Netherlands and Mrs Raquelle Azran, an American writer, who has been keeping connection with Vietnamese art life for more than 20 years. In particular, the project was supported by many galleries, art studios, art spaces and young artists for their images of art works. From 7pm, October, 23rd, 2014 (Thursday), the Goethe Institute Hanoi and Ms Dao Mai Trang will co-host the book launch at the Institute grand hall. The program with participations of many young artists and art critics, researchers and art lovers will be an open discussion about the real situation of ?and hopes for the development of Vietnamese visual art. The book contents in brief: It includes two chapters and the section of introduction of nine artists Chapter 1: The social context: speaks of external advantages and disadvantages which have been influencing on the artistic creativity of artists born in the early 1980s (1980 – 1985) as the 8X generation, such as fast changes in the social life, the impacts of the market economy to the art creativity, the environment of art education, the upset of social and cultural values, etc. The author tries to analyze and to evaluate impact of every social aspect to art creativity of young artists. Chapter 2: Major problems to the 8X artists generation: Finance and Talent and according to the author, talent must be seen as the essence. The author gives out suggestions for realizing more clearly the artistic stuff of the 8X artists generation. The book is open to any conclusion and the author does hope that each reader will take his own conclusion answering to the question: why Vietnamese cultural life in general, its art life in particular, has been facing to the risk of lagging behind other countries in the region and in the world. Nine artists in the author’s interest: Nguyen Huy An, Bang Nhat Linh, Thai Nhat Minh, Nguyen Phuong Linh, Thai Nhat Minh, Le Hoang Bich Phuong, Ha Manh Thang, Pham Huy Thong, Vu Duc Toan, Vu Duc Trung. The author is interested in their art journeys because she has found that they are distinguished and different to others in their same generation. Details of the publication: The English version is published only under the eBook platform, licensed by Literature Publishing House with about 150 images of art works and art spaces in all over the country. It will be distributed on Hanoi Grapevine. The Vietnamese version is printed (500 copies, at size 22.3×17.3cm, hard covered, 248 pages, colored on couche matt paper with about 150 images of art works and art spaces, price: 350,000.00 VND, licensed by Women Publishing House). The eBook Vietnamese version is also distributed on Hanoi Grapevine. Dao Mai Trang has been working as the editor for the fine arts column, Culture and Arts Magazine (the voice of the Ministry of Culture and Arts of Vietnam) since 2000. She has been writing many articles and interviewing Vietnamese and foreign artists for Culture and Arts Magazine (www.vhnt.org.vn); Sports and Culture News (www.thethaovanhoa.vn); Soi (www.soi.com.vn); Nhandan News (www.nhandan.com.vn). Exhibition “Ambiguity | Affitta” by Artist Pham Tuan Tu Opening: Sat 18 Oct 2014, 5.30 pm Exhibition: 18 – 27 Oct 2014 Nguyen Art Gallery No 31A Van Mieu road, Hanoi ACCAviet cordially presents a piece of solo exhibition of painter Pham Tuan Tu named “Ambiguity | Affitta”. AFFITTA is an Italian word used for imperative. AFFITTA means “FOR RENT” and Ambiguity in Vietnamese expresses a state of vagueness and being unclear, half this side and the other half in the other side. This tends to lead to chaos and disorder. This is a solo show of artist Pham Tuan Tu. This exhibition includes nearly 40 paintings through almost seven years of the artist’s creative activities since 2008 up to present. The artworks of Pham Tuan Tu all carry the cold grey color tone. The shapes in the works are absentminded and aimless. It seems like them don’t need any connection with the earth. The body and the head are like the two opposing essences. A borrowed head for a body or a naked body is renting another head. Everything seems to be mellow and unable to identify. The borderlines between the owner and the renter are erased. The state of renting becomes the state of ambiguity. There’s no distinction between the borders of genders, space and spirit. Looking at Tuan Tu’s works, it is not merely considered from the gender perspective. The ambiguity of appearance, inner soul, gender, spirituality is a part of his creative process but not necessary as the most important factor. This factor is borrowed and used through the empowering language of the arts. With the style mixed between irony, arrogance and solidarity, he wanted to tell the stories between human beings. It could be very humane, cold or mournful. With his works which are full of emotions in life journey, one individual journey, the fate and spirituality through the physical living time. The coldness or indifference are all the laws of heaven and earth. There are some comments by painter Pham Quang Hieu – a closed friend of Pham Tuan Tu: “…Seeing the works of Tu, we could easily associate with the horror films from Hollywood or the book “Strange stories from a Chinese Studio” by Pu Songling. The plaintive lyrics of Pham Duy are echoing somewhere else: “The afternoon goes by quietly/ The flowers and the graves are fading/ Oh the white flower color of the funeral? I want to do the ceremony for your broken love…in a late winter I went to the pagoda/ To say farewell to you my darling in this coffin…! …Deviating from the normal trajectory of aesthetics, he uses symbols and true feelings. Pham Tuan Tu has brought us into a world where the black-white, good-evil, male-female… is not really to differentiate. Even the artist tried to attach the theme to a certain social issue, but in an unconscious manner. Tu’s works still placed before us a more fundamental question about the human nature and human being.” “Ambiguity – Affitta” exhibition is the first solo exhibition by Pham Tuan Tu in Vietnam, though a number of his works have been presented and displayed at the National Fine Arts Exhibition 2010, the Dogma Prize in Hochiminh City in 2013 and National Festival of Young Artists in 2014 in Hanoi. “Ambiguity – Affitta” will be opened at 05:30 P.M, Saturday October 18th 2014 at the Nguyen Art gallery, 31A Van Mieu St., Hanoi and will be showcased until the end of October 27th 2014. This event is made possible thanks to generous supports from Danish Cultural Development and Exchange Fund in Vietnam (CDEF). The First time for Vietnam to Participate in the Big Draw – The World’s Biggest Drawing Festival British International School, Hanoi Hoa Lan St., Vinhomes Riverside, Long Bien, Hanoi The 2014 Big Draw will run from 1 October to 2 November across the UK and in twenty other countries, with 280,000 people expected to join in over 1000+ events. The Big Draw offers thousands of enjoyable, and mainly free, drawing activities which connect people of all ages with museums, outdoor spaces, artists, designers, illustrators – and each other. These events are for those who love to draw, as well as for those who think they can’t! This is the first time entries for The Big Draw have been received from Vietnam. BIS Hanoi is one of the schools that make up the group of British International Schools in Vietnam a group that prides itself on its provision of quality British style international education. The school is very excited about taking part in the Big Draw event and plans to expand on this each year. The wider community has already been involved in three of the events. To read more about the school’s events and the campaign for drawing, go to the website of The Big Draw. There are a total of six events and the school is also entering the ‘Draw your Dinner ‘competition. Ms Susan Coles is an Associate of The Big Draw and has worked for the Campaign for Drawing as a facilitator with UK secondary teachers. She will be visiting BIS Hanoi in October to support their first Big Draw event. Ms Coles will be leading talks and INSET during her visit to the school. Ms Coles is passionate about her love of the arts and their importance in children’s lives as well as in the wider world. You can view her work at here and see some of her photographs at here or follow her on twitter @theartcriminal. BIS Hanoi students have also worked in collaboration with a local artist. Pham Luc is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. He was a former Major of the Vietnam People’s Army, carrying a soldier’s pack and artist’s easel during times of conflict. With his support, the Year 11 and 12 students used the connection between cultures in conjunction with the Big Draw theme, “It’s Our World” to generate initial ideas. They produced an abundance of innovative ideas; these ideas were translated onto the lacquer boards by Hanoi based artist Pham Luc. Using gold leaf, metallic lacquer and traditional earth colours, students have been privileged to work alongside Pham Luc. His time, like Susan Coles’ has been voluntary, asking only for the materials required. Students and artists have learnt from each other. Pham Luc said, ‘I knew very little about British culture before I visited BIS Hanoi. I have learnt about the four different countries in the United Kingdom from talking to students about their ideas.’ In turn, students have learnt about the complex processes, media and techniques used in lacquer work. Artist / student collaboration has resulted in the production of eight large lacquer panels, each 80cm x 160cm, and two smaller panels, 100cm x 100cm. The two smaller panels will be framed and sold at the school’s annual TET fair, with the proceeds going to local charities. The lacquer panels are in the process of being framed and it is hoped they will inspire future artists and collectors. Pham Luc is keen to promote an awareness of traditional skills and Vietnamese cultural heritage. He said he enjoyed his visit to the school and wished he could return to his school days – especially if he could attend a school like BIS Hanoi! Exhibition “Little Flowers” Opening: Wed 22 Oct 2014, 6 – 8 pm Exhibition: 22 Oct – 30 Nov 2014 Sofitel Saigon Plaza 17 Le Duan Boulevard, Dist 1, HCMC You are invited to “Little Flowers”, a solo exhibition of mixed media paintings on Dó paper by Hanoi-based artist Nguyen The Hung. Hung’s latest collection owes its title to the artist’s first solo exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in 2011, And Flowers Showered. Little Flowers, like the artist’s earlier collection, is inspired by Osho’s discourses on Zen Buddhism, but while the previous collection left large empty spaces in which floating sal or shala flowers showered from the sky, the newest works are less meditative and leave no space for the spiritual void. This more playful series of smaller works is like an explosion of colourful, surreal landscapes populated by small fairy-like anthropomorphic creatures that owe much of their stylistic rendering to a modernist Cubist style of portraiture. Such creatures become at times half human, half animal, almost like mythical creatures that appear in our strangest dreams. A ubiquitous black and white figure, resembling a Japanese-style deity floating on a cloud, stands perhaps as a symbol of peaceful vigilance over the viewer, the ‘dreamer’. In Little Flowers, there is a greater focus on life on earth, on humanity and its potential, rather than a spiritual approach. Backgrounds are decorated with what the artist refers to as “little flowers, and flying spots of colors” that are like “seeds falling to the ground, awaiting or seeking wet soil to germinate in.” In an orderly chaos, these seeds fall endlessly from the sky, suggesting a hopeful regeneration of the cycles of life. Nature is an ever present theme in Hung’s work, whether in stylised patterns suggestive of mountains and water, or in cutout collage flowers and leaves. The artist also draws inspiration from the diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities and their traditional cultures. In Little Flowers 9, for example, Hung uses details that are inspired by patterns from woven fabrics and textiles of the Thai ethnic minority’s bed sheets and pillow covers. In Free Days 2, flower and cloud motifs recall traditionally Oriental decorations. Little Flowers is a cheerful, vivacious series of works that once again embodies Hung’s skillful synthesis of western and eastern cultural and artistic references, rendered in unique and original tableaux. Through Little Flowers, the artist seeks to uncover the seeds of existence, the love of life and the benevolence of human nature. Nguyen The Hung was born in Viet Bac Province in 1981, and graduated from the Vietnam University of Fine Arts in Hanoi in 2009. Conference “The Sword of Charles De Gaulle” Thu 23 Oct 2014, 6 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the conference “The Sword of Charles De Gaulle” on the occasion of publishing this book in Vietnamese version. Published in 1932, “The Sword of Charles De Gaulle” is themed on patriotism, the military art and political power which remain to be surprisingly topical for contemporary Vietnam. This book is translated by Thi Hoa. Speaker: Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, translator Language: Vietnamese Free entrance. Science Film Festival 2014 Science Film Festival: 24 Oct – 14 Dec 2014 in 13 cities & provinces — IN HANOI: Opening: Fri 24 Oct 2014 Lomonoxop School My Dinh Khu do thi My Dinh 2, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi — Film screening: Sun 26 Oct 2014, 2 pm Kim Dong Cinema 19 Hang Bai, Hanoi — Activity days: 08 – 09 Nov, 9 am – 5 pm Goethe Institut The tenth edition of the Science Film Festival for children and adolescents sets the look onto the future and asks: What technology will shape the world of tomorrow? Every day we see new scientific discoveries and technological innovations. What was unimaginable yesterday is already reality today. The media teaches us new words like android, synthetic biology and quantum computers – all of which are concept that used to be subjects for experts and scientists, but soon will influence our daily life and the world we live in. In this fast changing times it becomes harder to keep up with all the various developments. What promises do these new technologies offer and what dangers come with them? At the Science Film Festival presented by the Goethe Institute twelve nations from Southeast Asia, North Africa and the Middle East show various films and TV shows from all over the world that give fascinating insights into the technological innovations of today and tomorrow. Join in and discover … For the fourth time Vietnam takes part in the Science Film Festival. The opening will take place at the Lomonossow primary school in Hanoi on the 24th October. Two days later, on the 26th October, there will be a film screening with a lot of activities for children and parents at the Kim Dong Cinema. On both events visitors can experience the topic of technologies of the future with short films, hands on experiments and games. Until the 14th December the programs will be screened in thirteen different places (Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Thai Binh, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, Tam Ky, Quang Nam, Dak Lak, TP. HCM, Bac Lieu, Da Lat). For the Activity Days on the 8th and 9th November all children, adolescents and adults are invited to the Goethe Institute to join in and discover science and technology with their own hands. Conference “The Sword of Charles De Gaulle” Thu 23 Oct 2014, 6 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the conference “The Sword of Charles De Gaulle” on the occasion of publishing this book in Vietnamese version. Published in 1932, “The Sword of Charles De Gaulle” is themed on patriotism, the military art and political power which remain to be surprisingly topical for contemporary Vietnam. This book is translated by Thi Hoa. Speaker: Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, translator Language: Vietnamese Free entrance. A Night of Concert and Ballet – Changing of the Seasons Fri 24 Oct 2014, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to a night of concert and ballet “Changing of the Seasons” with the performance of: Piano Soloist: Huy Phuc, Violin Soloist: Tuan Anh, Cello Soloist: Anh Tu and the Dancers of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Program 1. – Duo from ballet “Nutcracker” - Waltz of the flowers from the “Nutcracker” Music: Tchaikovsky Choreographer: Philippe Cohen Dancers: Quỳnh Nga – Hàn Giang and the dancers from VNOB 2. Piano-Violin- Cello Trio: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires Composer: Astor Piazzolla Perform: Tuấn Anh (Violin), Anh Tú (Cello), Huy Phúc (piano) 3. Classic Ballet “Les Sylphides” (Chopiniana) - Music: F. Chopin - Choreographer: Micheal Fokine - Stage Choreographer: People’s Artist Kieu Ngan - Cast- Due dancers: Chuc Quynh – Han Giang Thuy Hang – Nhu Quynh Quynh Nga – Ngoc Can and dancers Orchestra of Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, 350000, 500000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at vnso.org.vn. For free delivery Call: 0913489858, 0983067996. UK Contemporary Dance “Without Stars” Hanoi: Wed 22 Oct 2014, 8 pm Youth Theatre 11 Ngo Thi Nham Str, Hanoi — HCMC: 25 and 26 Oct 2014, 8 pm IDECAF 31 Thai Van Lung, Dist 1, HCMC Without Stars and There We Have Been, two dance productions which were inspired by Haruki Murakami’s novel Norwegian Wood, will be performed in Vietnam on 22, 25 and 26 October. Organised by the British Council Vietnam, this is part of the East Asia tour of the acclaimed James Cousins dance company. James Cousins and his dancers will hit the Youth Theatre in Hanoi in a one-night-only show on 22 October; they will then bring their productions to IDECAF stage on 25 and 26. A graduate of London Contemporary Dance School, James Cousins founded the dance company in 2012 with creative producer Francesca Moseley to explore new ideas with his team of collaborators and to tour his critically acclaimed productions throughout the UK and internationally. Also in 2012, James Cousins won the inaugural Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Choreography Award. James Cousins has recognised by Time Out magazine as one of the future faces of dance. Apart from staged performances, James Cousins and his dancers will deliver a dance workshop with choreographers and dancer students at the Vietnam’s Military University of Culture and Arts on 23 October. Without Stars and There We Have Been are two touching and emotionally charged pieces of work with intense folding, wrapping and balancing. They were created based on the inspiration from the troubled relationships beautifully portrayed in the novel Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. Below is how There We Have Been was beautifully reviewed by Laura Dodge for Londondance.com. “In low lighting, dancer the female dancer was held constantly off the floor by her male partner. She was supported through all manner of poses from high leg extensions to seated embraces and wrapping her body around her companion. “Always progressing fluidly but with varying speed of movement, the couple’s relationship was open to infinite viewer interpretations, but the female’s dependence on the male was unrelenting. The piece reached a haunting end as the female fragile figure hovered in the air, gesturing towards her partner and he walked away, finally free. “It was simply one of the most stunning contemporary dance pieces I have ever seen. So mesmerising, its 20-minute length passed by in what seemed like seconds.” Cherry Gough, Country Director, British Council Vietnam said: ‘We’re delighted to be bringing the best of British contemporary dance to Vietnamese audiences. James Cousins is a graduate of the London School of Contemporary Dance, and is widely considered to be one of the brightest new stars of contemporary dance in the UK. We hope audiences in Vietnam will be both entertained and inspired by this beautiful and thought-provoking performance. Tickets Ticket prices: 100,000 and 200,000 VND Tickets are available to be purchased now: - Hanoi: at the Youth Theatre (11 Ngo Thi Nham) Hotline for booking and delivery: 04. 2.2409025 - Ho Chi Minh City: at IDECAF (31 Thai Van Lung, Dist.1) or HCM Ballet Symphony and Orchestra (HBSO) (7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist.1) Hotline for booking and delivery: 098 987 4517 and 0903 041959  VNN