The ongoing group exhibition entitled Mach nguon or Source Circuit at the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), Hanoi runs until  January 19.

Hanoi artist Nguyen Vi Thuy's artwork. Photo: Le Tuan

Featuring 19 artworks and installations by Nguyen Manh Tien, Tran Van Giap, Vu Xuan Dong and Nguyen Vi Thuy, the exhibition is the first cultural event organized by the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam.

The exhibition tells visitors some of the stories and routines of the people of Hanoi, showing the love that Hanoi-based artists have for the capital.

Researcher Nguyen Manh Tien chose to launch his books on Hanoi with an installation called 'Women - Market'. Traditional Vietnamese women's conical hats, fruit and books are placed on bamboo trays on the floor of the Tien Duong (Front) House of the Temple of Literature relics site, recreating the kitschy scene of a rural Hanoi market in the old days.

The artwork entitled "Tree and Forest" by artist Tran Van Giap comprises a set of five lacquer paintings of trees and spring flowers on natural wooden panels, showing his great inspiration from nature.

Hanoi-based researcher Nguyen Manh Tien's art installation "Women - Market".

Artist Vu Xuan Dong has spent nearly 20 years painting To Lich River. His installation of bronze engraving and lacquer art reminds Hanoi lovers of the historic river that used to be a waterway within the city.

The historic river that flows through the capital was of great importance to the spiritual life of the Hanoi people, as it was once considered the guardian of the ancient Thang Long Citadel, or modern Hanoi.

The 14km-long river flows through six districts of Hanoi, starting from Nghia Do Ward in Cau Giay District and emptying into the Nhue River in Huu Hoa Commune, Thanh Tri District. It was once thought to be the moat of the ancient Thang Long-Hanoi citadel. Today, the river is so polluted that it has been dubbed the 'dead river'.

Hanoi authorities are now working to revive the river, with a pilot project to treat the pollution set to run until May 2019. The paintings of artist Vu Xuan Dong depict the difficult journey to gradually restore this legendary river.

Artist Vu Xuan Dong expresses the pollution of the To Lich River by using dark colors in his artworks.

Meanwhile, artist Nguyen Vi Thuy's installation entitled 'Vitality' features flower-themed paintings and nature-inspired colored paper collages. With the help of her students, the exhibition space was transformed into a vibrant flower garden in a very short time.

Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam said that this is an interesting contemporary painting exhibition, which kicks off a series of cultural events that will be held in 2024 within the space of a thousand-year-old historical relic.

"I hope the exhibition will bring positive emotions to viewers in the first days of the new year," he added.

The artwork entitled "Tree and Forest" by artist Tran Van Giap.