Vietnamese artists wing up Japanese origami art

Fifty-two intricate origami animals and mythological figures with wings, including cranes, bugs, unicorns, angels and dragons being exhibited in the “Wings” tell about the love for origami art shared by Nguyen Linh Son, Nguyen Tuan Tai, and Le Duc Tho.

Explaining the theme of the exhibition, Nguyen Linh Son said wings are a symbol of creativity and freedom.

The three artists are making giant horse model at the exhibition space (Photo: VNA)

Son, 32, has worked with origami for more than 10 years. He highlighted the applicability of origami art.

“The craft helps enhance mindfulness, patience and creativity of people who make it,” he said.

Son also attached significance to artists’ hand skills, saying “we just use papers as our tool to make origami works featuring real life objects, patterns or architecture.”

According to Son, the crane is the symbol of origami art.

Traditionally, Japanese people believe that if one folds 1,000 origami cranes, their wish will come true.

Cranes by Nguyen Linh Son (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Tuan Tai, 22, has also been doing origami for almost ten years. He loves to make mythological figures.

“Mythological figures, such as angels, unicorns or dragons send the message of hope, luck and power. Those are the elements we need in our lives,” Tai said.

Meanwhile, Le Duc Tho, 26, specialised in printmaking style. He has had his work exhibited in numerous exhibitions, including art galleries in Singapore.

The artists, from AXA Studio are also making a giant horse model together inside the exhibition space. It is expected to be three metres high.

A timelapse video featuring the artists’ journey of making the giant horse will be screened on August 5.

As part of the 25-day event at the Vincom Centre for Contemporary Art at 72A Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan district, there is also space for kids to make origami themselves.

Their work will be displayed in a corner called “Happiness”.

Children learn how to fold paper at the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

Origami art is a crucial part of Japan’s cultural life. Origami works are usually displayed at traditional Japanese festivals and rituals.

Origami is also taught at nursery and primary schools in Japan, aiming to help enhance patience, discipline and creativity in children.