KVT – An Arty Tet Affair to Enjoy in the Glitz and the Glitter of Hang Da Galleria

KVT enjoys heralding the YEAR of the GOAT at an art bazar

The last arty experience I had in Hanoi before disappearing overseas for a few week was Tet related which was nice because this is the first Tet in a decade that I’ll not be up to my eyebrows in peach blossom, cumquats, banh chung, rice wine, and lucky envelopes

Hang Da Galleria has put its foot forward once again and is hosting another comprehensive art fair and it’s pleasurable to wander around peering at walls clad with canvasses, poking into mini galleries stocked with pretty nice art works, being tempted with some delectable craft work from entrepreneurial pop up stalls and being inveigled into the upmarket, permanent shops to revel in the luscious stuff that they have spread out.

Most purchasers and viewers of art works at similar art bazars are usually more interested in how a particular art piece grabs them rather than in the name or fame of particular artists. Thus in the same vein I’m going to showcase some art works that made me get up close and personal but I won’t mention the artists. (When I was wandering the show most of works did not have artists’ names attached so I’m going with the flow.)

I was in a vibrant mind space that particular morning and acid pink was the color that affixed itself to my cerebral cortex…and that undoubtedly started as soon as I came face to face with this series of lunar goats:

And this cunningly curved papier mache cat is a standout:

And the pink blossoms in this beautiful small work suited me fine:

The vibrant mood led me to laugh and cavort with these excellently executed and exuberant ladies all of whom I could definitely have around my house to lighten up any dark moods:

Staying in 3D mode a particularly well set up space has a family of wooden goats counterbalanced by some work drawings that are interesting enough to have in their own right….both exampled here:

The exceptional group of sculptors who collaborate as the New Form Sculpture Group have curated a very inviting mini gallery of their work

Initially (after getting my pink fix) I was drawn to the prints that were celebrated in two print galleries. Print types vary and include these woodblock bike prints that have been around the traps for a few years but are still fresh and vital and amusing and awash with nostalgia……..

……and these mono prints of boats got to me in the right place. (My predilection for fishing boats will raise its barnacled head again later in this piece)

….and as I’m totally wrapped up in a novel about a fallen angel I had to give this intricate work a second and a third look

Following is a selection of other prints that would look nice in a few of my nooks and crannies that, at present, are devoid of interest.

At this stage I’ll encapsulate my fishing boat obsession into one grouping of realistic watercolours and an occasional oil.

Another soothing watercolor is…

There are lots of very appealing, realistic, figurative oils on the walls and a few of my favorites are below:

Of the lacquers I took a shine to this one with its Long Bien theme:

As I stated before it’s a delectable arty bazaar and really worth while getting mixed up with in on its 2 and a half floors. You can sip a coffee half way through your excursion and get some Tetty type nibbles to chew on afterwards….but take note that my images only account for a small amount of art works on show!

Look out for the crafty place that makes realty cheap pieces out of tin…particularly their tall and spectacular tin jugs.