+ Curators can be considered as the sponsors of art projects and exhibitions. They are teachers in the profession, with deep understanding of professional aspects, but we still have many "gaps". How do you evaluate the current human resources practicing curation in Vietnam?
- Although we have quite famous collectors and art has arguably developed in recent years, the concept of “art curation” is still quite new.
Nowadays, many people do not even understand what curators are or what their jobs are. In addition, most curators in Vietnam are practicing in an unprofessional way. They are usually artists or people who have studied art abroad, but few have been trained in curation.
Meanwhile, in the world, the art curation industry is quite developed. Curators are not only found in museums and art institutes but are also quite popular in art galleries of wealthy families… In large museums, curators are sometimes as “big” as directors, they have their own offices and staff… And the competition between museums is not only for works of art but also for curatorial staff. An art curator abroad has many job opportunities, high income, and many opportunities to perform.
In the trend of integration and more developed culture, it is inevitable that works of art and heritages need to be arranged according to topics and their values need to be spread, so the role of curators will be more and more respected. Vietnam cannot stand outside of that trend. That is the reason why we have high expectations, even "bet" on the curation industry in Vietnam. This will be a job that society will be very interested in and aware of.
+ To make the concept of curation clearer and contribute to the professionalization of the art curation profession, what do you think we need to do?
- To professionalize the curation industry, we must have teachers first, people who have been trained in curation, they are the ones who train the next generations.
+ It is known that the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts will soon open a Visual Arts major, in which curatorial practice will be taught to students. Could you please tell us about this training process?
- Hanoi National University is aiming to become a multidisciplinary, multi-field university. The university has natural sciences, social sciences, economics, medicine, pharmacy, etc., but recently, the arts sector has been lacking. Therefore, on March 1, 2024, Hanoi National University decided to convert the model of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences into the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts. This is the final piece to make Hanoi National University a multidisciplinary, multi-field university according to world standards.
Seminar “Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary art education, from the model of Indochina University”, introducing new training majors of the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts.
After its establishment, the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts quickly completed its organizational structure. Based on the 5 old departments, the school was reorganized into 4 affiliated faculties. In which, the Visual Arts department was opened with two majors: Artistic Photography and Contemporary Visual Arts. The program is designed with a total of 133 credits in 4 years.
Curating is designed as a separate, independent subject with about 3 credits. Here, students are equipped with the fundamental theory of contemporary art curation as well as "practice" in art projects and major exhibitions. Along with major studies, students are also trained in foreign languages, cultural knowledge and soft skills, even public speaking ability.
Regarding the curriculum, we build on the basis of referring to 3 programs of top universities in the world, aiming at international standards. Regarding facilities and human resources, we will ensure the best requirements, classes are organized on a small scale, the number of lecturers/students will be under 20 while in many places that number is usually over 20. According to the plan, in the first year we will enroll 2 majors, about 50 students, not a large number, to ensure the quality of elite training.
+ Can you share more specifically about this training program?
- Vietnamese art has traditionally been viewed as monodisciplinary fields such as fine arts, sculpture, design, etc., lacking cohesion and sharing. Students have little understanding of contemporary art practice; what to do after graduation and how to develop art are often not explored and oriented early on.
Nowadays, the concept of contemporary art is different. Art practitioners must work with many materials, have many approaches, have the necessary skills and especially must understand how their practice process relates to the market and to future art institutions. Therefore, we designed the Visual Arts program with many new subjects, including subjects that have never appeared in the traditional art training program. These are subjects that integrate many majors, require working with 2-3 or more materials and are personalized.
We dare not say it is a curatorial training program because it is too big, but the curatorial course will have a clear goal, which is to train bachelors who are able to participate more deeply in the developing art life in Vietnam. They must understand how to work with galleries, and be able to apply it to professional art programs, festivals, and biennales.
The School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences is launching a Bachelor of Visual Arts program that introduces students to the profession of curator.
+ Up to now, due to the lack of formal training schools, art curation practice in Vietnam is considered quite spontaneous and amateur. Does the school expect that when Visual Arts students graduate, this situation will be limited?
- I think that including a course on curation in the curriculum is quite important because it contributes to formalizing the recognition of the work and position of curators in the overall picture of art in Vietnam.
We also hope that the concept of curation will be recognized in the education system, which will be a springboard for us to invite professional curators both domestically and internationally to talk, teach and share with students. Students can only see their future more clearly when they have access to and work with professionals.
Finally, we are completely confident that, not only after graduation, students are capable of becoming professional curators, but even in their first and second years, they can already do small-scale programs and projects.
+ Thank you!
The Vu (Performed)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dao-tao-giam-tuyen-bat-dau-tu-dau-post299938.html
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