Bùi Quỳnh Anh

FOR THE ART

MY ART: The Words Although these words may not yet be art, they speak of art. This is a snapshot of the words I wrote during my time studying for the national team – when being dreamy was held in the highest regard.

MY ART: The Words Although these words may not yet be art, they speak of art. This is a snapshot…

The sky in Phu Yen (note: this is an original, unedited photo) This is the afternoon sky, captured exactly at 3:07 p.m. on an iPhone while I was riding on the back of a motorbike going 70 km/h. And yet, there was the moon in the sky. I think the mere existence of that is already art.

The sky in Phu Yen (note: this is an original, unedited photo) This is the afternoon sky, captured exactly at…

I once spent an hour and a half walking along the beach, searching for just the right seashell to bring back as a souvenir from my trip. I should have known that effort would be futile because, after 90 minutes of combing through the shallow waters, I still hadn’t found a single shell. But as I was leaving, just a few steps away, I stumbled upon a starfish – something I’d never had the chance to see before. Though this starfish was probably dead, I decided to capture its existence instead.

I once spent an hour and a half walking along the beach, searching for just the right seashell to bring…

Da Lat at 6:00 a.m. I was greeted by a gentle breeze as I stepped out of the homestay in this city nestled halfway up the mountains. At that moment, as the breeze brushed past me, I could feel the presence of a city that has appeared in so many Vietnamese poems. Da Lat, in the early morning light Setting foot on the street, a soul dreaming bright Suddenly, my heart beats with delight Calling forth a love, gentle and light.

Da Lat at 6:00 a.m. I was greeted by a gentle breeze as I stepped out of the homestay in…

Da Lat Night Market. Alone at 10:00 p.m., I wandered through the bustling night market, holding a cup of shaken mango in one hand and a fish cake skewer in the other, with a box of Da Lat dried plums and a few knitted hats for gifts draped over my arm. Walking along each street around the market, I saw bustling stalls and empty ones, cheerful vendors and those stifling yawns. Standing on the bridge, looking down from above, I suddenly felt that this was the true breath of life.

Da Lat Night Market. Alone at 10:00 p.m., I wandered through the bustling night market, holding a cup of shaken…

Sometimes, isn’t fatigue itself a kind of beauty? In the journey of chasing beauty through words, on those afternoons we gave each other rides home to rest from long literature classes, we had many, so many moments like this: simply lying down, anywhere would do, with or without a pillow or blanket.

Sometimes, isn’t fatigue itself a kind of beauty? In the journey of chasing beauty through words, on those afternoons we…

The organizing committee of Redavancy – those who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, have stepped into the realm of art, individuals who carry a spark of dreaminess within them. For them, art can continue living.

The organizing committee of Redavancy – those who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, have stepped into the realm of art, individuals…

Capturing one of our nearly final moments in the place that holds memories of the national team. I once thought that moment marked the end of my pursuit of literature. But no, I was wrong. The national team, where I spent entire days dreaming, may come to an end, but art has to journey with me a little further down the road.

Capturing one of our nearly final moments in the place that holds memories of the national team. I once thought…

A day as an MC for an art program – more precisely, a literature program crafted by the arts and literature division. Lesson learned: literature is still as captivating as ever.

A day as an MC for an art program – more precisely, a literature program crafted by the arts and…

In middle school, I twice received awards as an outstanding student at the district level. But in high school, that

In middle school, I twice received awards as an outstanding student at the district level. But in high school, that…

A night on the roads of Hanoi. I don’t like Hanoi’s roads much, especially when compared to the stunning coastal routes I’ve traveled. But still, I find that Hanoi’s roads have their own distinct character. First, unlike this photo, they’re always congested. Second, they’re bustling, just like the daily life of Hanoi’s residents. This photo doesn’t capture that, but it does capture a rare – and unfamiliar – sense of stillness.

A night on the roads of Hanoi. I don’t like Hanoi’s roads much, especially when compared to the stunning coastal…

The day I received my award after winning second place in the national student competition. A bright image of Uncle Ho shines behind me. For the art, I reached here.

The day I received my award after winning second place in the national student competition. A bright image of Uncle…

Quynh Anh and the zither. I once practiced playing the zither for about a year in 2021; I loved how the strings resonated differently depending on the way they were plucked. I struggled just to learn a very simple piece because I couldn’t get the accented notes right. Indeed, art is challenging to pursue.

Quynh Anh and the zither. I once practiced playing the zither for about a year in 2021; I loved how…

The people – professors or not, those in literature or outside it – are attentively listening to the students as they discuss their research on literature. I believe this is a moment of connection through art.

The people – professors or not, those in literature or outside it – are attentively listening to the students as…

The people who participated in Redavancy. A day where art exists not only in the form of words but also in the enlarged phrases projected on stage, heard by hundreds. My feeling at that moment was very much like sitting in an IMAX theater, with popcorn (which I shouldn’t have), intently watching the screen, heart racing to the background sounds. This is what it means to truly live.

The people who participated in Redavancy. A day where art exists not only in the form of words but also…

The school team The place where my journey of pushing dreaminess to its peak began. Looking back, that day was truly beautiful and sunny.

The school team The place where my journey of pushing dreaminess to its peak began. Looking back, that day was…

Four passes legalizing our entry into the school for the national team. A few words and a photo to introduce a person. Back then, I fit perfectly into the phrase “member of the national team.” Back then, I wrote to compete. Now, perhaps I no longer fit that description, even though I am still a member of the national team. Now, I write to explore, to organize my thoughts, and simply to write. Only, it seems that my abstract thinking might have been pushed a bit too far.

Four passes legalizing our entry into the school for the national team. A few words and a photo to introduce…

Books – and a few people are intently studying them. It’s as simple as that – the existence of words.

Books – and a few people are intently studying them. It’s as simple as that – the existence of words.

I have a collection of books – a shelf full, not as extensive as my manga collection, but enough to call it a collection. Books are my first form of art. And even now, their words remain the closest to me. I’ve always been fascinated by the beautiful and melancholic words of Modiano, the strangely arranged passages of Morrison, or recently, the scene of “the naked man with a painted red head” in Oe Kenzaburo’s writing. Books – they are a way to enrich my perspective of the world.

I have a collection of books – a shelf full, not as extensive as my manga collection, but enough to…

Competing in Duyen Hai – the beginning of the journey. It was my first time taking an overnight exam, with results announced the next morning and heading back home by noon. There was no time to feel sad. Art is truly fascinating.

Competing in Duyen Hai – the beginning of the journey. It was my first time taking an overnight exam, with…

The program of the first club I joined – bringing literature closer to life through games. (In reality, it’s not that close, but it keeps the students at my school connected to art.)

The program of the first club I joined – bringing literature closer to life through games. (In reality, it’s not…

These are the people who have played and laughed with words (though it’s uncertain whether it’s because of the words or the joy).

These are the people who have played and laughed with words (though it’s uncertain whether it’s because of the words…

One of the first events I organized – my first time as an MC. I discovered that I enjoy speaking and communicating with others – because when I stand in front of many (at that time, dozens of) people, my heart races, and my eyes light up. Studying literature gives me the opportunity to speak like that even more. Eventually, I found myself on a much larger stage.

One of the first events I organized – my first time as an MC. I discovered that I enjoy speaking…

We and the book talk – discussing how words can come closer to life. Should we dream or not? Perhaps we should, even if that dream may just be an illusion.

We and the book talk – discussing how words can come closer to life. Should we dream or not? Perhaps…

A temple on the mountain – perhaps needing to climb 100 steps to reach it. The walls are covered in moss, with broken tiles, and there’s absolutely no one guarding the temple. As I took a photo, I thought of the temple standing alone in a place where no one would notice it, except for a curious soul like me.

A temple on the mountain – perhaps needing to climb 100 steps to reach it. The walls are covered in…