World sculptors find inspiration in Hue

THUA THIEN-HUE —Vietnamese sculptors are working with artists from around the world during a one-month sculpture camp in the former imperial capital of Hue.

Thirty-one sculptors from 16 countries are taking part in the Hue-Viet Nam Impressions 2004 sculpture camp which opened on May 10.

Many of the sculptors, who have visited Hue before, are working in Phu Van Lau Park overlooking the scenic Huong (Perfume) River.

Canadian sculptor Marianne Reim said that the poetic scenes of Hue have inspired her. She is working on a large stone work called Hearing the Song.

"Sounds of wind from the Ngu mountains, breeze on the surface of the Huong River water, pagoda bells ringing and the sounds of the unique folk songs of Hue form a melodious and charming song," she said.

Her work includes two large stones, oriented to look like waves. On the stones, she has carved lines representing musical compositions.

Another artist, Gerard of the Netherlands, said he loved Hue’s serenity.

His work, A Step Forward, is nearing completion. "The people live, work, enjoy, meditate and discover... These are main ideas of my work," he said.

The sculptor, who has been an artist for over 37 years, is visiting Hue for the first time.

While many foreign artists focus on Hue’s landscapes, the city’s residents inspire Vietnamese artists.

Sculptor Dinh Ru, from HCM City, created a piece called, Hue in Dream, featuring a young man looking lovingly into the eyes of his sweetheart, both of whom stand on the bank of the Huong River.

"I love the many romantic tales written by Hue’s writers. The beautiful landscapes of Hue are an innate characteristic of romance to its people," the artist said.

The workshop expects to inspire about 100 works of stone and metal, all of which will be installed at the International Statue Park, to be built at the base of Ngu Binh Mount.

Forty-two stone masons from Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, 20 welders and turners from Hue plus 29 students from the Hue Fine Arts School and Hue Foreign-Languages College have been invited to the symposium to assist the international sculptors.

The Rockefeller and Ford foundations gave US$120,000 to Hue’s third International Sculpture Symposium. — VNS