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Dear readers,

Amidst Vietnam’s fast-changing social landscape which has integrated itself with the world, a myriad of challenges have presented themselves to not only practising artists but perhaps to all active participants of the local art scene. They now need to be capable of situating and anchoring their position in the swirling macro-social circumstances, finding directions to navigate their artistic approaches, sustaining their operations, while having enough agency to project their artistic and critical independence. 

With the Feature section titled “Explored and Expanded”, Art Republik #6 diagnoses today’s contemporary art milieu under an economic angle with diverse perspectives on patronage, collecting, investing, trading and marketing. Besides aesthetic significance, economic activities have greatly influenced art’s historical courses. Twists and turns in both Vietnam, the region and the world’s art history have proven that in order to develop sustainably, both artists and art organisations need to be self-reliant in terms of both financial and human resources. Each individual and organisation needs to balance such needs with their own passion for art and commitment to social and community responsibilities to find their own path to grow and thrive. In this section, we converse with collectors Quynh Nguyen (Nguyen Art Foundation) and Ariel Pham (The Outpost), and artist duo Nguyen Huy An – Nguyen Thi Diep. Particularly meaningful now is our talk with artist Dinh Q. Le on his 15 years with San Art, a cardinal pillar of Vietnamese contemporary art. Our writer had an opportunity to meet him just a few weeks prior to his sudden passing. Our editorial team would like to dedicate a special cover as a tribute to Dinh Q. Le’s tireless and selfless contribution to the Vietnamese art community.

Beside the Feature section, other articles by An Tu, Luu Bich Ngoc and Tam Pham cast diverse perspectives on other contemporary happenings. The fact that contemporary art is an important frame of reference is analysed in the article by architect Le Minh Hoang.

To provide linkage from contemporary back to modern, artist Dang Thi Khue presents to you her essay on Nguyen Sang and his contemporaries. A lively inter-generational conversation with Nguyen Thi Mong Bich in her abode in Hien Van offers layers of understanding of the silk guru’s lasting talent and artistic viewpoints. Further back into the past, we examine Loan Sicre de Fontbrune’s great collection of Indochine art and her tireless efforts in sharing its academic and historical values to the world. We then follow researcher La Quoc Bao’s journey to repatriate the Princess robe from the Nguyen dynasty from half the globe away. 

The wonder of artistic creativity is to tear up limits, so both creators and viewers can explore and expand their horizon of experience, knowledge and imagination. We wish you health and resilience in the journey to nurture your love and passion for creativity.

The Editorial Board of Art Republik #6

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* Ấn phẩm Art Republik Việt Nam kỳ 6 ra mắt với 4 phiên bản bìa. Độc giả có thể lựa chọn phiên bản bìa yêu thích nhất.

Lê Phổ, “La cueillette des simples” – Hái cây thuốc (1932)
Nguyễn Thị Mộng Bích, “Tĩnh vật làng Na” (2016)
Lê Bá Đảng, “Ngựa”
Lê Quang Đỉnh, “Gen bị hư hại” (1998)

* Mời bạn đặt mua ấn phẩm Art Republik tại: Order_ArtRepublikVietnam