“It is necessary to clearly define the review criteria”

On the morning of May 27, at the 3rd session of the 15th National Assembly, recommendations on the study and expansion of the category to be considered for the title of People’s Artist, Distinguished Artist to the fields of photography, architecture, and literature. study… was discussed. In which, many National Assembly deputies believe that this change is necessary and has great significance for those operating in these fields.

To widen public opinion, PV Dan Vient had discussions with famous architects on the above issue.

Architect Pham Thanh Tung (Chief Office of the Vietnam Association of Architects): Honoring architects is a must.

I watched the morning session of May 27 of the 15th National Assembly when discussing the amended and supplemented Law on Emulation and Commendation, including discussing the consideration of titles for the fields of photography, literature and architecture. .. First of all, I fully support and thank the National Assembly deputies for their interest in the fields that have been, are and are still making great contributions to the country.

Particularly in the field of Architecture, from 2000 to now, the role of architects has been mentioned more and more. In particular, in 2019, when we pass the Law on Architecture, the role of this field is further strengthened.

I strongly agree with the opinions of delegate Tran Thi Thu Dong (Bac Lieu province) and some other delegates when talking about the role of architectural art. Architects are the creators of safe and sustainable living spaces for people. The appearance of our country in the years of renovation has played an important role in the contribution of architects, with their massive creations. Many architectural works have artistic value, contributing to the formation of the new modern Vietnamese architecture, enriching the country’s culture.

Since 1948, when establishing the Vietnam Association of Architects, President Ho Chi Minh has always considered it to be an organization in the field of creativity, participating in the reconstruction of the country. As a longtime architect, I take great pride in my work.

The National Assembly’s passage of the Law on Emulation and Commendation this period is a suitable change, meeting the aspirations of Vietnamese architects, as well as showing the Party, State and National Assembly’s interest in the project. with the contributions of those who do this field in the construction and development of the country.

Honoring architects is a must, but it also needs to be accompanied by clear criteria for this title to be valuable, the architect is responsible to society and the community. In my opinion, those must be sustainable, applied, beautiful and community-valued architectural works. Currently, we have many works that are discarded, or offensive to society. There are a series of apartments on Le Van Luong street or a number of projects right in the center of Hanoi…

Painters paint a picture consisting only of their selves, but architects are different, their work builds to involve and influence many people, over a long period of history.

I remember, 20 years ago, in a meeting with the Ministry of Construction that I had the honor to attend, the late General Secretary Do Muoi said: “An architectural work lasts for hundreds of years, if it If the architect does not meet the needs of the people, does not leave any aesthetic or cultural value, that architect has a responsibility to the Fatherland. Because of that, the State honors but architects must also have a sense of creativity, otherwise they will just be painters.

Architect Ngo Doan Duc (Chairman of the Federation of Architectural Consultants of the Vietnam Association of Architects): Should not be too heavy on factors other than art

In my opinion, it makes good sense for the State and the National Assembly to honor architecture. Architects are artists, and their creations are valuable to the community. I hope, honoring and awarding the title to architects will be for the sake of art, for humanity, not too heavy on other factors.

The Vietnam Association of Architects has published an anthology of architects and it can be a reference for this review process. In history, we have many talented architects but lived in different periods. I think it is very important to give appropriate criteria, which are given to those who deserve it, not too heavy on frameworks and limitations, not bound by stories outside of art.

An example I give is Phat Diem Pagoda – this is a typical architectural work, converging East – West architecture, recognized by domestic and foreign art circles. The pagoda was built by Phat Diem parish priest Peter Tran Luc. Would such a project be ordained?

In short, I hope that awarding titles to architects will bring true value, avoid following the trend, find out. In addition, races should not be created for those who are not capable and talented.

Architect Truong Ngoc Lan (Deputy Dean of Faculty of Architecture and Planning, University of Civil Engineering): The field of architecture has its own peculiarities.

In terms of origin, the Vietnam Association of Architects is part of the Association of Literature and Arts, besides being a field of Science and Technology, architects are also artists. Because of that, the title conferment is also a reasonable thing to do, in that respect. However, in my opinion, this is not so urgent, because the highest title is being recognized as an architect.

Looking back at history, great painters such as Nguyen Tu Nghiem and Bui Xuan Phai did not have titles, but their works remained with the world forever. In the world and in Vietnam, there have also been many prestigious awards to honor architects. Particularly for this job, I think the recognition of the work is more important than the titles themselves.

If awarding the title, it is very necessary to provide specific criteria. The field of architecture has its own peculiarities, and a valuable work needs long-term appraisal. One of my fears is that it creates unnecessary controversy because art is difficult to quantify and compare, especially when there are certain conflicts of opinion among architects today. .