The image of street vendors and their cries, a traditional cultural feature that always appears on street corners, in alleys, in front of houses, are being colourfully and vividly recreated in the art exhibition “Rong - Rao” (street vendors and their cries), which is running at 186 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hai Chau District, from August 17 - September 8.

Visitors enjoy the unique display at the ‘Rong - Rao’ exhibition. Photo: T.Y

Hosted by the “Da Nang Tui” (My Da Nang) group, the art exhibition, with a display of more than 30 works, is a clever combination of traditional and modern display spaces, between familiar street vendors on one side and new technological experiences on the other. Mr. Tran Viet Huy, the Artistic Director of the exhibition said that street vendors and their cries are inherently very familiar in the cultural and economic life of Vietnamese people, and those in Da Nang in particular.

Since the idea was born, the group has been struggling with how to make street vendors and cries appear realistic, vivid but also full of novelty. To achieve this goal, the group flexibly applies animation technology, 3D projection and sound combination. In particular, this event is also supported by augmented reality (AR) technology, flipbook models and infinite zoom. In particular, 3D animation technology and AR technology allow viewers to interact directly with the artworks, as well as bring them into the stories behind each image.

Visitors can use AR devices to explore street vendors from many different angles, as if the street vendor is standing right next to them. On the other hand, 3D animation technology gives the feeling that the street vendor is actually moving in the exhibition space. It can be said that the exhibition looks like a journey following the street vendors’ cries and their ‘ doi quang ganh’ (consisting of a bamboo pole and two baskets made from different materials like bamboo) through many spaces and times, where traditional cultural elements blend with modern technology to create an emotional artistic experience.

Enjoy listening to the familiar cries like “banh bao (steamed bun dumpling cakes), hot and delicious steamed cakes here” right at the entrance of the exhibition space, Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, 51, residing in Hai Chau District said that he was attracted by the new way young people expressed street vendors and their cries. “Thanks to 3D animation technology and AR technology, I feel like I am entering the world of street vendors, as if I were also selling corn, brooms or mats along the streets of Da Nang. The cries evoke many childhood memories and appear in a new and quite sophisticated multi-dimensional space”, Mr. Viet happily said.

As a visitor, Ms. Nguyen Thi Trinh, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, said she was very impressed with the combination of technology and traditional culture in the art of display. According to her, the exhibition is highly interactive, the content and profound ideas are expressed with display solutions, both interpretive, traditional and contemporary, and the maximum application of digital technology. Thanks to the increased interaction factor, each person visiting the exhibition can easily feel like they are living in a space of street vendors and street cries.

Listening, seeing, touching, feeling are the 4 outstanding interactive experiences at the exhibition. Coming here, everyone is provided with a discovery route, initially listening to familiar cries, then looking at the items hidden in sets of ‘doi quang ganh’.

When visitors reach a familiar feeling, the ‘Da Nang Tui’ team will guide them to ‘touch, swipe, rotate’ on the technology device to rotate the space, wandering into every corner of images, dishes, and objects. Finally, what the exhibition wants to aim for is the public's real feelings, after finishing the journey of observa  and experience with ‘Rong - Rao’.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Thien Hieu, the project manager of ‘Da Nang Tui’, affirmed that, in addition to recreating familiar images and sounds, the exhibition opens up a creative space where each participant can create their own story with just a few touches and QR code scans. According tion and experience with ‘Rong - Rao’.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Thien Hieu, the project manager of ‘Da Nang Tui’, affirmed that, in addition to recreating familiar images and sounds, the exhibition opens up a creative space where each participant can create their own story with just a few touches and QR code scans. According to Ms. Hieu, the ‘Rong - Rao’ exhibition was born after a year of preparation by nearly 20 young art lovers in Da Nang.

Thanks to the wonderful combination of traditional art elements and modern technology, the exhibition succeeds in creating a unique art space, helping the public understand and appreciate the values of street culture, while opening up new opportunities for young people to connect with one another and enjoy interesting experience.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by A.THU