The show is being heldas part of the Muong Ethnic Group's Traditional Cultural Festival, whichthis year celebrates the 125 years since the establishment of Hoa Binh.
The festival will only be held one day, but theexhibition itself will run for one year at the recently opened artcentre in the museum.
The artworks on display were made by14 sculptors, 12 painters, one sound artist and three guests during aspecial summer camp held from September 15 to 25 in Hoa Binh.
During their 10-day camp situated in a two-hectare area near themuseum, artists explored Muong culture by meeting and talking with localpeople.
Painter and art critic Phan Cam Thuong said Muongculture is very rich. "While living in this mountainous area anddiscovering the local people's customs and beliefs, we learned a greatdeal about their spiritual life," said Thuong.
The MuongEthnic Group's Traditional Cultural Festival offers a variety ofcultural activities such as a worshipping ritual, folk song show,culinary arts performances and presentations at the Muong Studio ArtCentre.
The artists explore the changing lives andculture of the Muong in their works. Vuong Van Thao introduced hislatest work – Stilt House Fossil.
The piece highlights hisconcerns over the displacement of traditional stilt houses by modernconcrete houses, many of which are not as aesthetically pleasing as thetraditional dwellings of the Muong.
Sculptor Dao ChauHai's Water-Time Goes By examines the changing relationship betweenlocal people and their culture and environment. The work raisesquestions about over-exploitation of natural resources.
The show as a whole aims to establish a connection between contemporary arts and traditional Muong culture.
Museum director Vu Duc Hieu said that despite a lack of funds, he willhold the artists' camp again next year, with the aim of the campbecoming an annual event. /.