In a pottery workshop in Bat Trang, Vu Khanh Tung spends more time observing than shaping. He watches elderly artisans mix glazes, paint motifs, and recount the origins of familiar patterns. For him, making pottery today is not just about creating a new product, but about finding ways to keep the craft alive in contemporary life.

Inheriting the pottery craft from his family, Tung chose a challenging path: heritage innovation. He believes this path is not about "doing things differently just for novelty", but rather a process of deeply understanding traditional values and then finding ways to articulate them in the language of the modern era. His story is featured in episode 6 of Voices of Galaxy, a film series by Samsung that documents the creative journeys of young individuals who are seeking to "rise" from their Vietnamese cultural foundations.

Tung uses AI to enhance creativity in pottery making. Photo: Samsung

In recent years, national cultural elements have increasingly appeared in popular art. Music, cinema, fashion, and visual arts often draw inspiration from tradition. Pottery is also part of this trend. From familiar household items, pottery has gradually become a medium for artistic expression, conveying historical narratives, aesthetic values, and the unique identity of craft villages.

However, for young people like Tung, innovating tradition always presents challenges. Creativity without deep understanding can dilute heritage. Conversely, rigid preservation makes traditional values inaccessible to new generations. For Tung and his colleagues, the task lies in finding a balance between inheritance and creation.

On this journey, Tung is not alone. Alongside guidance from village artisans, he utilizes technology as a supporting tool. He uses the gemini live AI assistant to systematize knowledge about motifs, symbols, and cultural meanings. Instead of spending extensive time on fragmented research, AI helps him synthesize information faster, allowing him to focus more on the creative and experimental phases.

Tung observes the pottery making techniques of experienced artisans. Photo: Samsung

Tung asserts that AI does not replace the artisan's hand, nor does it determine the aesthetic value of the product. Technology's role is to "guide", supporting young people in accessing a wealth of knowledge, while the soul of the product still resides in experience, emotion, and cultural understanding. By grasping traditional roots, artisans can create responsibly.

This approach also reflects a shift in mindset among many young craftspeople. Instead of viewing technology as an opposing force to tradition, they see it as a tool to bring heritage closer to modern life. Vases, bowls, or pottery artworks enter daily life with new forms, yet retain their core spirit.

Users utilize AI to research and gain in-depth understanding of motifs. Photo: Samsung

Previously, Voices of Galaxy featured stories of innovation in circus arts, where technology helped transform audience experiences. For pottery, the narrative is set in a different context: innovation to foster sustainable value for the craft village community. Despite these differing contexts, technology serves as a supportive tool, helping artisans save time, broaden their perspectives, and focus more on the core values of creativity.

Samsung states that Voices of Galaxy is a 10-part film series, reflecting the various ways young Vietnamese are applying technology to develop their careers and creativity. Instead of centering technology, the series chooses to tell human stories where AI acts as a companion and support.

Hoai Phuong