Like an endless stream, belief in the cultural vitality of the Central Highlands inspires H're painter Dinh Nhat Tan in his creativity as well as his way of life.
He carves the breath of the mountains and forests into space, cuisine , and each wooden work, "searching" for each ancient song to preserve the "special light" in people's souls.
"Soul of the Central Highlands" in Lem
Almost all people who love Central Highlands culture in Gia Lai know Lem coffee shop - in H're language it means rustic beauty. Visitors from far away come here to feel the breath of the mountains and forests.
The owner rarely appears, but his love is imprinted in every pattern, motif, and seat, making the coffee shop nestled next to the scenic Bien Ho Lake (Bien Ho commune) like a small, beautiful, and lively museum.
Each door, table top, chair leg, door handle, staircase… is delicately carved. The patterns are rustic yet graceful, a blend of Central Highlands folk sculpture and modern decoration. Hundreds of wooden statues create a world that evokes imagination, like the breath of the mountains and forests in the heart of the city.
The spirit of the Central Highlands here is not only in the collections of statues and masks, but also in every small sculptural line such as the elephant, the lizard, the sun, people dancing in the festival... Each carving, each image seems to recreate nature, culture, the free and innocent life of people in the mountains and forests.
Sculptor Nguyen Nam (Hoi Phu ward, Gia Lai province) commented: “In Lem, from the table, chair, door, stairs… you can see that they are made by professionals. Even in the world of wooden statues, each statue is a separate work that perfectly combines the strong, liberal style of folk wood sculpture with the softness of modern sculpture.
All the wood carvings here use recycled wood to create the timeless color of the Central Highlands. At the same time, they are very carefully designed and arranged, creating a very condensed and enjoyable Central Highlands space.
Just go with faith
Painter Dinh Nhat Tan (born 1981) graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts and had solo exhibitions at the Seoul Contemporary Arts Center (Korea). He currently runs the Lem Décor studio, specializing in interior decoration in Ho Chi Minh City.
He is also the one who breathed the soul of the Central Highlands into coffee shops and homestays such as Arul (Dak Lak), Ca C'roh (Mang Den night market, Quang Ngai)... as commented by sculptor Nguyen Nam, the Central Highlands space under the hands of this artist "makes viewers very satisfied".
He always creates conditions for H're children in his hometown of Son Ha (Quang Ngai province) to work in factories and coffee shops with stable income. Ms. Dinh Thi Anh Pha - one of the four young H're people working in Lem said: "Uncle Tan is a great inspiration for the younger generation. Everyone in the countryside wants their children to learn a trade and work with him. Everyone who lives near him is progressive, independent, and helps each other.
He always finds good points to praise, respects each person's individuality, making us believe in ourselves. His spirit of "living kindly, being humble, constantly trying, and letting others feel the good things" has a profound influence on all of us.
Recently, this artist has been constantly traveling to the Truong Son - Tay Nguyen mountains to "search" for ancient songs of the indigenous peoples. These are lullabies, songs of love, sadness, joy of a good harvest... Melodies that come from simple life, sung by grandmothers and mothers when going to the forest, going to the fields, resting by the stream. They are not only memories of the village but also the call of the mountains and forests, a subtle measure of community customs and aesthetics.
“I remember when I was little, my mother would carry me to the fields, listening to my footsteps, breathing, and lullabies. I always carry that peaceful happiness with me whenever I think of my village,” he said.
He recorded those songs in the pristine space of the mountains and forests, from any people he met on the road or in distant lands. The clips with polished images uploaded to YouTube “Proud of the Central Highlands” are like “reserves” for the future. There, we not only watch a performance, listen to an ancient song, but also pass through a land - where clouds embrace mountains, streams embrace villages, and H're songs embrace strange hearts.
What worries him is the loss of forests and cultural capital when the old generation of artisans gradually follow the world of the wise, while the younger generation has not yet understood its true value.
He confided: “Sometimes I see the magnificent plateau with its majestic nature, a time of brilliant civilization in my memory; and sometimes I feel lost in a moment of silence because I realize that beauty is fading. I think we should help them understand their origins, their origins, where they were born, how their ancestors lived. Once they understand, they will love.”
And, the artist H're kept going with a belief...
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/hoa-si-dinh-nhat-tan-toi-cu-di-voi-mot-niem-tin-post567009.html
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