Vietnam’s art community is celebrating a unique milestone as the Art In The Forest (AIF) initiative marks its 10th anniversary, alongside the fifth anniversary of the Flamingo Contemporary Art Museum in Phu Tho.
Speaking at the ceremony, Luong Xuan Doan, Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, praised the tireless efforts of artists and art enthusiasts in building a contemporary exhibition space deeply rooted in nature. He called it a rare model in Vietnam - where sculpture, architecture, and landscape converge in organic harmony.
According to Doan, the project’s greatest value lies in answering a fundamental question: what defines outdoor sculpture, and how can a work of art placed in an open environment blend seamlessly with its surrounding topography, landscape, and architectural context?
“These works aren’t forcibly placed,” he noted. “They exist as though they’ve always belonged to the natural scenery.”
“Lotus” by Le Thi Hien.
The Chairman also emphasized that this harmony has created a distinct identity for this forest-based art space, turning it into a destination for both art lovers and curious travelers. He highlighted that it is the result of years of quiet dedication by hundreds of artists who have worked with integrity and passion.
With over 100 sculptures on display, AIF represents a major step forward for Vietnamese fine arts. The diversity in form, material, and creative thinking has shaped a vivid panorama of contemporary expression.
Doan commended the project’s curatorial approach of inviting leading artists from Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Europe, and beyond - resulting in sustainable, inspired creations.
He also acknowledged the crucial role of private funding, which enabled artists to produce ambitious works using challenging materials like bronze, stainless steel, and iron - resources that public art projects often cannot afford.
The presence of Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, was a powerful endorsement of the project’s decade-long journey. Doan said this recognition provides new momentum for artists pursuing the visual arts.
“This is more than just an art project - it lays the groundwork for a new cultural model: one in which the arts are shaped by society, enterprise, and the artists themselves,” he affirmed.
“Elsewhere” by Do Hiep.
Japanese artist Katsumi Mukai, who has long collaborated with the initiative and has works featured at the site, shared that the true value of the forest art space lies in its ability to connect humans with art in the most natural state.
“The open environment allows each artwork to breathe with the landscape,” he said, “letting viewers feel the cultural, emotional, and aesthetic essence that the artist wishes to convey.”
Following the anniversary event, the museum opened a special exhibition showcasing eight new sculptural works created specifically to commemorate the 10-year milestone. The featured artists include Dao Chau Hai, Le Thi Hien, Do Hiep, Nguyen Tran Uu Dam, Hoang Tuong Minh, Hoang Mai Thiep, Pham Dinh Tien, and Le Anh Vu.
“OK, buddy” by Pham Dinh Tien.
Among the most striking pieces, Dao Chau Hai presented Iron Bird in Silence, a contemplative work that questions the nature of strength. Young artist Pham Dinh Tien contributed OK, buddy, a witty, nature-friendly companion. Hoang Tuong Minh introduced No Limits, a symbolic gash representing barriers and the longing to overcome them. Do Hiep’s Elsewhere draws inspiration from village guardian deities.
To foster greater public access, the museum announced that admission will be free for all students across educational levels for the next six months.
In the next 2–3 years, the museum aims to expand outreach efforts and bring contemporary art even closer to the public, particularly younger generations.
Vietnamnet.vn
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