A recent collage art exhibition, themed “I'm looking for myself” in Da Nang, treated viewers with old paper, newspaper, and fabric materials, all of which created 20 unique and creative artworks.

The exhibition themed ‘I'm looking for myself’ created by collage art technique attracts many young people to participate. Photo: T.V

The exhibition, organised by the group ‘When I'm Young’ and the DUE Marketer Club of the University of Economics, a member school of University of Da Nang, aims to help spread many positive healing messages to young people.

Collage is a technique of art creation, primarily used in the visual arts, but in music too, by which art results from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. A collage may sometimes include magazine and newspaper clippings, ribbons, paint, bits of colored or handmade papers, portions of other artwork or texts, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas.

In the bustling atmosphere at BrewMan TNI cafe positioned at 244 Tran Hung Dao, Son Tra District, student Ha Nhu Nguyet, a third year student from the Da Nang University of Economics excitedly visited the exhibition and showed off her ability to tear and paste pieces of paper to create her own picture.

Nguyet said: “At the exhibition, I was able to learn, listen and practice practically tearing and pasting newspapers, magazines and old fabrics. The reason I choose my eyes for tear-and-paste content is because my eyes help me see and feel the hidden corners of life to live better. The exhibition not only helps young people look inside to heal their souls, but also makes use of old materials to protect the environment.

Under the meticulous guidance of the speaker, collage art artist Bui Van Quoc Trung, student Le Thanh Truc, a second year from the University of Economics quickly completed the work within 15 minutes, Truc excitedly said: “I initially signed up to participate in the exhibition just for fun and curiosity. But when I went to the exhibition, I was immersed in a completely new but very close art piece. These artworks help me immerse myself in the speaker's story and I can experience many different perspectives of life. This space helps me have a peaceful, gentle day and recharge my mood after stressful hours of studies.”

DUE Marketer Club has successfully implemented this exhibition that highlighted many works of youthful style, colourful and diverse materials. The exhibition attracted nearly 400 participants, especially young art lovers.

According to artist Bui Van Quoc Trung, the young people completed the works and displayed them at the exhibition. Team leader of the DUE Marketer Club, student Tran Duc Anh Son said: “It took the club 6 months to make preparations for such an exhibition, from ideation, script writing and communication actions. This project aims to give young people a real collage art space.

Specifically, the club wants the creative collage arts to become closer to young people. Young people are very excited when they create unique collage art works by themselves and accumulate more knowledge about this type of installation art. In the coming time, DUE Marketer will have more valuable activities to help young peopel exchange, learn and connect to create good values.

Student Minh Nguyet, the leader of the group ‘When I'm Young’, said that, along with the above-mentioned exhibition, the group has integrated the topic of finding myself to exploit psychological problems facing the young generation in modern life burdened with the pressure of studies and work.

Besides, the exhibition also conveys positive messages about letting go of anxiety and anxious thoughts, looking within yourself and turning to family to love the life more.

Talking more about collage art, artist Bui Van Quoc Trung said that this type of art depends on the experience of each person's imagination. Collage art is a combination of many different visual elements to create a publication that conveys a certain positive message.

Visual elements are utilised from newspaper, colored paper, craft paper or fabric. After that, the artist has to cut and arrange to create a unique and meaningful overall picture. “I hope that young people in Da Nang have as many opportunities to interact with the collage arts as they do in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, I want to inspire good life for gen Z in Da Nang.

The ‘When I'm Young’ group and the DUE Marketer Club want to spread the positive value of helping people understand own mental health. This is not only an art exhibition for young people in Da Nang, but also a place for them to have the opportunity to make friends and exchange good things.”,  said artist Bui Van Quoc Trung.

Reporting by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by A.THU