The sculptures are the outcome of a sculpture symposium, financed by the Norwegian Embassy and Danang Peoples’s Committee, which gave Norwegian and Vietnamese sculptors an opportunity to work together, share ideas and experiences, and to better understand the art and lifestyle of the two countries.    

You can see a video about Danang Sculpture Center (in Vietnamese) here

Cultural exchange through stone carving

Norway’s ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Ståle Risa, visited Danang Sculpture Center in Non Nuoc (Marble Mountains) village on a roundtrip in Central Vietnam in late May. This village is renowned for its traditional stone carving.  Danang Sculpture Center was established in 2001 to enhance cultural exchange among artists from both Vietnam and Norway.

–         I find the way the Center is organized very interesting and sustainable, said Ambassador Risa, and referred to the cultural and social focus of the organization, in addition to the business activities.   

–         And I am happy to see that when you are training young carvers in modern sculpture techniques, and exposing them to international practices by working alongside professional sculptors and artists, you are also providing them with important life skills that will enhance them in their future life, the Ambassador continued. 

You can see pictures of and learn more about the sculptures here.

Norwegian funding

The Sculpture Center was established around ten years ago, when the Norwegian sculptor Øyvin Storbækken was invited to Vietnam in 2001 by his local counterparts in the Fine Art Associations in Hanoi and Danang. With basis in the long tradition of stone carving in both Norway and Vietnam, a project was developed to educate stone carvers and sculptors and establish an institution where they could share their skills, ideas and knowledge. The project has been sponsored by Norway in different faces, but is today a self-financed Foundation.

“Ladies of Life” by Øyvin Storbækken (standing by the East bank of the Han River in Danang) . Photo: Nina Elisabeth Nordrum Vennevold

The Foundation’s 5 Board Members, Norway’s Ambassador and the delegation from the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, together in Danang Sculpture Center’s Office.

Photo: Nina Elisabeth Nordrum Vennevold

http://www.norway.org.vn/News_and_events/Giving-spirit-to-stones/

https://scandasia.com/6429-norway-giving-spirit-to-vietnamese-stones/