Artist Nguyen Viet of Hanoi’s An Da village gave up ballet to pursue adream he had been nurturing of reviving an ancient celadon that hadlong been non-existent. Radio The Voice of Vietnam finds out more.
Artist Nguyen Viet of An Da village on the outskirts of Hanoi hasrevived the celadon from the Ly dynasty in the 11th century after manyyears of painstaking research and effort. Bui Thi Hy, a merchant of the15th century, was believed to be the first person to introduceVietnamese celadon pottery products of the Ly and Tran dynasties abroad.
The 75-year-old Viet was the first director of theballet troupe of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Theater. Hislife-long career spanned ballet, archaeology and pottery. Forty yearsago, Viet directed a number of famous ballet performances, one of whichwon him the Ho Chi Minh Award in 2002.
However, hegave up ballet to pursue a dream he had been nurturing of reviving anancient celadon that had long been non-existent. Viet said: “I worked ata pottery kiln when I was 7. I gave up the job at 11 when revolutioncame to my home village. I then worked as art director for a musicaltroupe. Pottery-making has been my family’s tradition for hundreds ofyears and that explains why I turned to this craft in the end.”
Celadon is the most sophisticated and difficult enamel for an artisanto produce. It requires timely and precise firing and ventilatingtechniques. Viet has put all of his time, wealth, and efforts intopottery-making.
“It was extremely difficult to findthe necessary materials to produce celadon. I’ve had to travel to anyplace across the country where I could possibly find them,” he said.
Viet began his research in 1979 and found success in 1991. His houseis now filled with hundreds of pottery products, whose glaze stands outfrom any other at home or abroad. Celadon, with its mystical jade greencolour, is irresistibly attractive to pottery lovers and creating itsfragile beauty is a huge challenge to a potter.
Viet has succeeded in reviving the five colours of Dong Thanh celadon:jade green, coffee, black, rice water, and pickle. Each of these has aunique formula using natural materials fired at high temperatures.
He said: “Each nation has its own distinctive characteristics and sodoes pottery. This is a unique culture that needs to be brought back tolife.”
Viet has put all his love and pride into hisproducts. The more passionate he is about Dong Thanh celadon, the moreworried he becomes. “I want to contribute as long as I live. I have beenable to revive the celadon of the Ly dynasty but there remain those ofthe Tran, Le, and Mac dynasties. I’m afraid that after I die no one willdo this anymore,” he said.
Viet has passed down hispassion and knowhow to some young potters. Nguyen Thu, 24, said thatmeeting Viet was a turning point in his life. Viet’s products and hisadvice quickly mesmerised the young man, who gave up his job and startedmaking pottery.
Thanks to Viet’s teaching, Thu hasquickly acquired most pottery and celadon production techniques. “Vietis a culturist and everything about him is about culture. Peace of mindis crucial in pottery making. People who lack patience will notsucceed,” said Thu.
The Dong Thanh celadon that oncewas found only at the Brussels Museum has been revived in Vietnam, itshomeland. Nguyen Viet’s success has not only revived a precious culturalvalue but also highlighted the deftness and dexterity of Vietnamesecraftsmen.-VNA
Artist Nguyen Viet of An Da village on the outskirts of Hanoi hasrevived the celadon from the Ly dynasty in the 11th century after manyyears of painstaking research and effort. Bui Thi Hy, a merchant of the15th century, was believed to be the first person to introduceVietnamese celadon pottery products of the Ly and Tran dynasties abroad.
The 75-year-old Viet was the first director of theballet troupe of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Theater. Hislife-long career spanned ballet, archaeology and pottery. Forty yearsago, Viet directed a number of famous ballet performances, one of whichwon him the Ho Chi Minh Award in 2002.
However, hegave up ballet to pursue a dream he had been nurturing of reviving anancient celadon that had long been non-existent. Viet said: “I worked ata pottery kiln when I was 7. I gave up the job at 11 when revolutioncame to my home village. I then worked as art director for a musicaltroupe. Pottery-making has been my family’s tradition for hundreds ofyears and that explains why I turned to this craft in the end.”
Celadon is the most sophisticated and difficult enamel for an artisanto produce. It requires timely and precise firing and ventilatingtechniques. Viet has put all of his time, wealth, and efforts intopottery-making.
“It was extremely difficult to findthe necessary materials to produce celadon. I’ve had to travel to anyplace across the country where I could possibly find them,” he said.
Viet began his research in 1979 and found success in 1991. His houseis now filled with hundreds of pottery products, whose glaze stands outfrom any other at home or abroad. Celadon, with its mystical jade greencolour, is irresistibly attractive to pottery lovers and creating itsfragile beauty is a huge challenge to a potter.
Viet has succeeded in reviving the five colours of Dong Thanh celadon:jade green, coffee, black, rice water, and pickle. Each of these has aunique formula using natural materials fired at high temperatures.
He said: “Each nation has its own distinctive characteristics and sodoes pottery. This is a unique culture that needs to be brought back tolife.”
Viet has put all his love and pride into hisproducts. The more passionate he is about Dong Thanh celadon, the moreworried he becomes. “I want to contribute as long as I live. I have beenable to revive the celadon of the Ly dynasty but there remain those ofthe Tran, Le, and Mac dynasties. I’m afraid that after I die no one willdo this anymore,” he said.
Viet has passed down hispassion and knowhow to some young potters. Nguyen Thu, 24, said thatmeeting Viet was a turning point in his life. Viet’s products and hisadvice quickly mesmerised the young man, who gave up his job and startedmaking pottery.
Thanks to Viet’s teaching, Thu hasquickly acquired most pottery and celadon production techniques. “Vietis a culturist and everything about him is about culture. Peace of mindis crucial in pottery making. People who lack patience will notsucceed,” said Thu.
The Dong Thanh celadon that oncewas found only at the Brussels Museum has been revived in Vietnam, itshomeland. Nguyen Viet’s success has not only revived a precious culturalvalue but also highlighted the deftness and dexterity of Vietnamesecraftsmen.-VNA
