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| Saigon Museum of Fine Arts |
So ...... Ho Chi Minh City has been voted the 6th most
dynamic city in the world according to one survey.
The factors that are taken
into account are such things as Inward Investment, how many international
companies headquarters there are, growth
in the property market, connectivity, economic growth, new business start-ups
and higher education.
But, they don't measure how lively the arts are, how many
galleries, theatres and orchestras the city has. In my view, I don't think any
city can be considered dynamic without a well supported and vibrant arts scene.
Number one is London which has one of the most vibrant
art scenes in the entire world. The art museums all rank highly in visitor
ratings and are free to enter.
At number 2 is San Jose, USA. Their city art gallery
costs $8 to enter but they offer lively program of exhibitions, events whereas Saigon
museum is only 50 cents but many of the art exhibits have been languishing on
the walls for a few years now.
Beijing ranks third and offers more than one public
art museum. Entry to the National Art Museum is free and the collection is astoundingly
varied and beautiful.
Shenzen, also in China is placed fourth. It does have
one art museum but it is ranked in the bottom third of attractions in the city.
I don't think I have ever heard of an art museum coming so low in the rankings.
I wonder what they got wrong?
Shanghai, in China again, has three art museums and
they rank highly as attractions on Trip Advisor. Well, Shanghai is currently the
biggest city in the world so its galleries ought to be good!
At number six is Ho Chi Minh City. It is the 31st
largest city in the world (by population). We have one Art Museum and the
entry fee is very affordable at
10,000vnd. It is ranked #15 out
of nearly 100 attractions in the city which is quite something. The exhibits
are from over three hundred years of fine and decorative arts and tell a story
of life in southern Vietnam that is rich and varied. The whole is housed in a
fabulous mansion which is an experience in itself.
In the past three years, I have seen the art scene in
Saigon grow and become more lively. I know from personal experience that
artists from Hanoi and Hue are moving south to be a part of an artist-led
blossoming of the arts in our city. San Art brings a, much needed, dimension to
critical thinking in contemporary practice in the city and provides a focal
point for all artists. Commercial galleries provide support for more
established artists through cultural programmes and by taking Vietnamese art
overseas to international art markets. 3A Station is trying to create an 'arts
quarter' where live performance and street art rub shoulders with independent
designers which raises the profile of the arts amongst the young and there are
pockets of vibrant arts lighting up the cultural landscape all over the city.
What would add some real dynamism to the arts is to
use just a small amount of the revenue from all the new inward investment, and
inject some cash into our beautiful museum and local arts to make them as
dynamic as the economy.
