Hair today: A dancer rehearses tonight's performance directed by Dao Anh Khanh. — Photo courtesy Tra Giang International Company

HA NOI (VNS)— Artist Dao Anh Khanh will design the final round of Viet Nam's Talent Hair-stylists, a performance of fine arts, music and light that has been in the works since July 15.

This is Khanh's first time as a director and the first time a hair show has doubled as a performance of contemporary art.

In Selective Show - Forest of Green Hair, Khanh will turn the stage into a forest painted on nylon in which colours change continuously, with the melodies of musician Vu Nhat Tan in the background. Painter Phuong Vu Manh will present video art on stage and also paint directly on Khanh and other dancers such as Doan Minh Hoan and US-based Lauren Nicole Sorkin.

The soundtrack is a mixture of rock, ca tru (ceremonial singing) and Middle-east music.

"By calling the show Forest of Green Hair, I want to send a message about protecting the natural forests, which are at risk of being destroyed," Khanh told Viet Nam News, "Vietnamese people use the metaphor of green hair to refer to young people, so the performance also pays tribute to the youth."

"Above all, my colleagues and I expect the audience to get lost in a forest of dreams and fantasy," he said.

The performance will be organised tonight at American Club, 19-21 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ha Noi by Tra Giang International Company. — VNS