On the evening of November 14, the opening ceremony of Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design at Hai An Gallery with many of our guests present. The event was honoured to be attended by Professor Julia Gaimster, Dean of the School of Communication and Design, RMIT Vietnam and Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City.
Speaking about VFCD 2023 programme with the press and event guests, Professor Julia Gaimster said: Technology has always been a driving force for innovation and transformation, but also a source of challenges and dilemmas. We hope that the Festival will inspire you to learn new skills, discover new opportunities, and connect with other creative individuals and organisations locally and internationally. We also hope that this festival will stimulate your curiosity, imagination, and critical thinking about the role of technology and its tools in shaping our future.”
Sharing the same perspective with Professor Julia Gaimster, Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City believed that Vietnamese artists have abundant potential and opportunities to grow in the age of AI, and this journey will always have support from Australia, especially when this year is the 50th anniversary of Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations.
The opening ceremony also had representatives of various agencies, organisations, partner businesses and the festival event co-hosts, as well as creative individuals and collectives of diverse backgrounds, in attendance.
In the opening event, representatives of RMIT University, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and VICAS also presented the “Emerging Design Talent Awards” to four young talents of Vietnam as part of the multicultural art and design project here/there initiated in VFCD 2021, gathering artists and designers from Australia and Vietnam. This year, Tom Trandt and Phạm Hoàng Linh participated in a residency programme in Melbourne, Australia in October 2023 as well as Melbourne Fashion Week.
The “Emerging Design Talent Awards” announced at this opening ceremony the winners of its 2024 edition. The young winning artists will receive advice and guidance to promote their designs, craft products and contemporary art practices while also preserving traditional art forms.
Speaking about this award, Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City said: “đây/đó (here/there) is a great example of how we can continue to build on our links in the fields of art and culture. To build on those links, we need more and more talented and committed people in both our countries. We need to ensure that that talent and commitment are recognised and nurtured.”
Võ Ngọc Thanh Tiến received the First Prize, which includes:
– Cash prize of $1000AUD
– 01 round trip to Melbourne, Australia within the Creative Design Talent Residence by RMIT University, Melbourne
– Business and creative advice from experienced designers and entrepreneurs in Australia and Vietnam.
– Works to be showcased at the here/there Exhibition 2024.
Đỗ Hà Trang received the Second Prize, which includes:
– Cash prize of $500AUD
– Business and creative advice from experienced designers and entrepreneurs in Australia and Vietnam.
– Works to be showcased at the here/there Exhibition 2024.
Đào Mạnh Khang and Tăng Hữu Khoa received the Third Prize, which includes:
– Cash prize of $250AUD
– Business and creative advice from experienced designers and entrepreneurs in Australia and Vietnam.
– Works to be showcased at the here/there Exhibition 2024.
The opening ceremony of Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design came to an end with artists, partners and guests enjoying and interacting with the artworks showcased at the exhibition Mind & Machine. This display, along with talks and workshops lasted until November 19 in Ho Chi Minh City and continues in Hanoi at the beginning of December. Don’t forget to follow VFCD fanpage for more details on the events you’re interested in!
