Reporter: Performance painting (painting for performance on stage) is a rather strange profession in Vietnam. However, this art form has been welcomed by many people recently. When receiving the record, did you feel pressured?
Artist Nguyen Tien
- Artist NGUYEN TIEN: To set the above record, I performed 9 types of art including: moving sand painting, glitter painting, water painting (pouring paint), fire painting, water painting, reverse watercolor painting, electric painting, spray painting and knife painting.
Each performance on stage lasts from 3 to 7 minutes depending on the material. Since I was a child, I have been passionate about drawing. When I was a student at the University of Architecture in Ho Chi Minh City, I took advantage of the opportunity to help out at my family's advertising painting shop, formed a group of friends to paint murals, car bodies, helmets... to earn income.
By 2010, I began to find my passion for sand painting. And I researched and used more materials and different painting methods to diversify my performances.
What was the biggest obstacle in your research process?
- The biggest difficulty is that this art form is so new that there is no one to learn from. Even the tools and performance methods are very vague. I have spent a lot of money to invest in new products, because if I break something, I have to throw it away and do it again. Once you are in this profession, you have to accept it.
Many audiences compare you to a painting "wizard", what do you think?
- A performance artist needs to be creative, always searching and experimenting with new things, knowing how to create surprises and turn creative ideas into products. I am interested in finding music to combine my body with the melodies to create an attractive performance.
Artist Nguyen Tien is composing. Photo: THANH HIEP
Calling me a "magician" who transforms my image is something that the audience appreciates, but it is also a pressure because if I keep standing still, it will be difficult to satisfy the audience. Therefore, I have to constantly seek new things for my career. The title "magician" will motivate me to work harder to set new records.
What memories in your career do you remember forever?
- The first fire painting performance left me with the most memorable memory. At that time, I was still struggling in the research and development stage of fire painting when a customer called: "Can you help me draw a portrait of a foreign customer with fire painting?" - that event took place at "Sol Kitchen & Bar District 7" (District 7, Ho Chi Minh City). I accepted the offer even though I had never painted a fire painting on stage before. Luckily, I succeeded despite some mistakes.
Sand painting is the first form that you have performed everywhere since 2012. There are many people who specialize in sand painting, are you afraid of competition?
- I am not afraid of competition, on the contrary, I feel happy because there is a counterbalance to always renew myself. This subject meets the "storytelling" factor, sand will erase and redraw on the glass, each frame, the artist will recreate his story with his hands on the sand. The advantage of sand is that it can convey a lot of content and messages, the problem is to know how to filter the image, compress it into strokes, to surprise and interest the viewer.
Glitter painting is also being requested by many customers. The painting will be drawn on a black or white background, when drawing, the artist will use a brush and clear glue to spray on the painting. The painting only appears when the artist throws glitter powder up. The form of performance painting with glitter has a luxurious, shimmering gold color, can draw portraits of one or more people at the same time or draw logos, products...
With watercolor painting, the painting appears when the artist pours a liquid that looks like watercolor paint onto the painting, then the portrait or work will appear very vivid.
What do you expect when you pursue a career in performance painting?
- I hope this art form will be accepted by everyone as a form of entertainment. In fact, the more this art form develops, the more it will contribute to preserving cultural values, promoting the image of Vietnamese people and national identity to the world.
What is your memory of the day you set foot in Ho Chi Minh City?
- I clearly remember the image of Bach Dang Wharf with big ships cutting through the waves. I secretly wished I could stand on that ship. The ships seemed to carry my ambitions, motivating me to pursue this career and dedicate myself to it.
Will Nguyen Tien open a class to teach and pass on his skills to the younger generation?
- To achieve the results I have today, I have experienced many failures and spent a lot of money. Performance painting is an attractive art form, so in the near future I will definitely open a class to share my experience with young people who share the same passion.
Are you satisfied with what you have achieved?
- Living with painting and pursuing my passion is happiness for me. I have been a performance artist for more than 12 years and up to now, I still love my job passionately and cherish many new ideas. I am still conquering myself, nurturing my passion to have more new successes with my choice.
Artist Nguyen Tien confided: "Whenever I have free time, I often go to do charity painting at monasteries, pagodas or kindergartens. Because I think that anywhere, beauty is needed and I contribute a little effort to beautify the community."
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nghe-nhan-nguyen-tien-phu-thuy-bien-hoa-hinh-anh-19624081721541116.htm
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