Vietnamese Artwork Competitions

Project Introduction

🌟 "Beneath Non La" - Uncover Our Untold Stories 🌟

Our project, "Beneath Non La," was born with a simple yet powerful mission: to ignite a sense of pride among the vibrant Vietnamese community that calls London home. But it doesn't stop there. We're also warmly welcoming those who have recently arrived or are simply passing through this incredible city.

At its heart, this project is about embracing our culture and heritage and showcasing it proudly in the tapestry of London. And we have an exciting opportunity for you to be a part of it!

🎨 Join the Competition: Design Artistic Icons 🎨

As we work towards building the very first Vietnamese cultural heritage monument in a UK public space, we're calling upon your creativity and artistic flair. We invite you to participate in our competition and help us craft unique artistic icons that will tell our story, celebrate our impact, and promote unity within our community. Let's come together to shape a piece of history that reflects the beauty and richness of Vietnamese culture right here in the heart of the UK. Your artistic vision could be the key to making this dream a reality. Join us on this inspiring journey as we weave our stories, culture, and heritage into the vibrant tapestry of London. Together, let's create something exceptional that generations will admire and cherish. 💫🇻🇳✨

Competition Details and Guidelines

Competition Criteria:

Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:

  1. Representation of the Vietnamese community in the UK with elements of Vietnamese culture and architecture, ideally with a "Wow" factor.

  2. Use of materials and solid structure capable of withstanding London weather conditions.

  3. Integration with the square's architecture, designed to serve as a space for annual cultural events of the Vietnamese community (Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year).

  4. Aesthetic appeal, cost-effectiveness, and ease of maintenance.

  5. Compliance with UK safety standards.

  6. Language Requirement: Since the design submissions will be reviewed by the London Borough of Lewisham and the London Mayor's Offices, entries must be in English.

Time Frame:

  • The competition will run from 15th August 2023 until 11:59 PM on 25th September 2023.

Eligibility:

  • All individuals of Vietnamese origin and local people, as well as international friends who have an interest in and appreciation for Vietnamese culture and architecture, are welcome to participate.

  • Children under the age of 18 must obtain parental consent.

Application Process:

To apply, you need to:

  1. Create a structural design that celebrates the Vietnamese community in the UK.

  2. The dimensions of your structural design should be within the range of 1m-5m in length, 3m-8m in height, and 0.5m-3m in depth (estimated).

  3. Send your design to the email address: hello@vietfp.org.

Social Media Contest:

Participants can enter the most liked design from the Social Media channels by posting their design on their personal Facebook with the following content:

  • Design contest "Vietnamese community icon in the UK" with three hashtags: #beneaththenonla, #vietnamesefamilypartnership, #duoivanhnonvietLondon.

  • Include the contestant's name.

  • Encourage friends to Like and Share the post for a chance to win the "Most Popular Design by the Audience" award.

  • Scoring: 1 Like = 1 point, 1 Share = 2 points.

Important Notes:

  • All photos submitted by the competition participants will be used on VFP press media, websites, and social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

  • Any instances of cheating in voting or providing false information will result in disqualification.

  • Candidates are required to fill out the registration form.

  • The final decision for the awards rests with the Organizing Committee based on the total score from the members of the Jury, and they will not entertain post-project complaints.

Sample Design

FAQs

Whose project is this, and why is it called the first Vietnamese artwork in public spaces in the UK?

This is a project by the charity VFP Vietnamese Family Partnership, in collaboration with other organizations, aimed at creating an artwork for the Vietnamese community in the UK. The project has received support from the London Mayor's Office as part of an initiative to introduce a new artwork or landscape for the Vietnamese residents living in London. The primary purpose is to celebrate the Vietnamese Community, a community that has contributed to the development of London and the UK for many years but has yet to establish a prominent presence in the public areas of London. For more details, please visit:

https://www.vietfp.org/project-beneath-the-non-la

What stage is the project in?

The project is currently in the process of seeking pre-approval from the authorities. We are actively looking for designs for the structure of this artwork. We invite your participation in the recruitment and selection of artists and creators of Vietnamese heritage who will bring this public artwork and landmark to life.

Who sponsors this project, and will you need further fundraising activities?

The project has received support from the London Mayor's Office; however, funding is limited. We are working towards raising funds from individuals who appreciate culture and architecture and wish to promote a positive image of Vietnamese people in London, UK.

I would like to support the project; how can I get involved?

You can contribute as a structural designer, a sponsor, a marketing promoter, or a volunteer.

Who is involved in this project?

In addition to the charity VFP Gia Dinh Viet, which is the primary responsible organization for the project, other community organizations such as the Vietnamese Association in the UK (VAUK), Vietnamese Business Association in the UK (VBUK), Vietnamese Student in the UK (SVUK), and the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in the UK (VIA) have been invited to join us in creating the first artwork for the Vietnamese community in London, UK. If you wish to participate in the project, please contact VFP Gia Dinh Viet on WhatsApp: 07543241425 or hello@vietfp.org.

Who will be on the judging panel?

The judging panel will consist of representatives from VFP, the Local Government, Deptford Lounge, structural specialists, planning specialists, and architects.

What is the estimated cost for the artwork?

Due to budget constraints, we have allocated only £8000 for the purchase of materials for the project and the structure. We will continue to raise funds within the community to build an artwork that truly reflects the community's aspirations.

After I submit the structural design, what are the next steps?

  • 25/9/2023: Collecting structural designs

  • 30/9/2023: Notifying the top 5 designs

  • 8/10/23: Exhibiting selected designs to the public at the Mid Autumn Festival.

  • 15/10/23: Selecting the 3 best designs to submit to the Planning Permission Department

  • November: Gathering feedback and addressing any required amendments.

  • Securing permission from the Council.

  • Jan 2024: Commencing the artwork's construction.

  • March 2024: Project completion.

If none of the proposed designs are selected, what is your resolution?

In such a case, we will collaborate with the Planning Department to collect these ideas and inform you whether we can incorporate parts of your designs into the actual artwork. Prizes will be shared among the contributing artists.

What are the benefits for artists/participants?

Participating artists will enjoy several benefits:

  • They will join the VFP network of community artists.

  • Their structural designs will be presented to a substantial in-person audience of over 3000 people, including local MPs, councilors, and other VIP guests.

  • Their designs will be promoted on VFP's and partners' social media platforms.

  • Opportunities to collaborate with VFP's CEO in presenting the artwork to the London Mayor's Office.

  • Invitations to sign an agreement with VFP regarding the use of their structural design.

  • The winning design will receive a £1000 prize, which will be awarded after selection by planning authorities. The award ceremony is planned for the VFP New Year Celebration on Sunday, 4/02/2024, at the Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin St, Deptford, SE8 4RJ, London. The prize is tax-free, and any tax liability will be the responsibility of the artist.