Journal Sketch Workshop: Urban Memories & Sketching
02 pm – 06 pm, Sun 22 June 2025
Toong Coworking Space
51 Phan Bội Châu, p.Cửa Nam, q.Hoàn Kiếm
& Hanoi Old Quarter
Registration link (20 people)
From the organizer:
Join us for a special workshop led by Yehezkiel Cyndo, a visual artist from Indonesia who has been practicing sketch journaling—also known as urban sketching—since 2011 in his hometown of Yogyakarta. This activity involves drawing directly on location and adding personal or contextual notes to capture the moment, transforming each sketch into a vivid memory.
Unlike a photograph, a sketch develops gradually, giving us time to absorb our surroundings and reflect on what we see. These slow observations create deeper impressions, allowing us to remember more clearly what we experienced at the time.
For artists, researchers, or storytellers, these sketches are more than drawings—they’re visual diaries that preserve moments, thoughts, and feelings. Many established artists begin with such studies before developing larger works. Over time, sketchbooks become powerful records of one’s artistic journey.
The workshop will feature a special guest: Nguyễn Vũ Hải, a Hanoi-based storyteller known for his immersive, place-based narratives. Hải will accompany participants during the sketching session, guiding them through selected locations with insights drawn from his years of experience designing interactive tours. One of his most notable works, River Traces, City Soul, explores how the Tô Lịch River has shaped Hanoi’s urban landscape over the past century. More recently, Hải has begun researching the history of Hanoi’s Chinatown and the once-vibrant ethnic Chinese community—now nearly invisible in the city’s daily life. His presence will offer participants a deeper contextual understanding of the places they sketch.
*Languages: English, Vietnamese
**Ticket: 350.000VND / person, discount 20% to 280.000 VND/person for students or HAS library’s and TOONG’s members; discount 10% to 315.000 VND/person for groups of 2 or more.
Workshop Flow:
At Toong Coworking Space:
– Welcome & Introduction by Heritage Art Space & representative of Toong
– Artist Talk: Cyndo shares stories from 2 weeks in Hanoi
– Introduction to urban sketching & its global manifesto
– How to select sketch subjects (places, events, objects with stories)
– Tips on combining drawing with written reflections
– Demo: common layout styles (full-page sketches & multi-panel pages)
– Sharing of sketches from Cyndo Jalan-jalan (Cyndo go Explore) project in Vietnam & Malaysia
Walk to the Old Quarter:
– Nguyễn Vũ Hải lead a tour for participants visiting special location around the Old Quarter
– On-location sketching session with guidance from Cyndo
– Individual sketch review and feedback
Back to Toong Coworking Space:
– Sharing session: each participant presents their sketch
– Group photo to wrap up the day!
Materials & preparation:
Participants should:
– Be 15 years or older (no advanced skills required—just the ability to draw and write simply)
– Bring their own sketchbook (A6–A4, portable size of your choice)
– Bring drawing and coloring tools (e.g., pens, watercolors, crayons, markers, colored pencils)
– Optional: A water bottle. Drinking water will be provided to reduce plastic waste.
The workshop is a part of the Asia ARTMAP: City-Storytelling between Hanoi and Semarang, a long-term project initiated by Heritage Art Space, co-organized with Collabox. The project includes a local knowledge sharing session and a residency exchange program between art and culture practitioners in Hanoi and Semarang.
Sincere thanks to TOONG for providing the venue to organize this workshop and ba-bau AIR for supporting the artist residency space.
The programme is part of the Connections Through Culture and the Arts initiative, supported by Mekong Cultural Hub and the Art & Society Hubs Network Asia.
Follow updates on event’s page.
