6,000 hours of "reviving" a mahogany tree trunk after Typhoon Yagi into a work of art.

70-year-old ancient tree transformed into art after Typhoon Yagi

On the afternoon of April 22nd, the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee (Hanoi) held the opening ceremony for the project to renovate the Co Tan flower garden space, with the highlight being the artwork "Resurrection" by artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen. The event attracted the attention of a large number of people, along with guests such as singer My Linh, singer Hong Nhung, painter Khac Chinh, Meritorious Artist Hoang Tung, DJ Tri Minh, etc.

Typhoon Yagi on September 7, 2024, felled more than 25,000 trees in Hanoi, including a 70-year-old mahogany tree over 20 meters tall in Co Tan flower garden, Hoan Kiem district. This species was introduced from Africa by the French in the late 19th century and bears a historical significance for the capital city. Artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen saw in this destruction not the end, but the beginning – to give the tree a new form, a new life. For her, life does not end, but only transforms.

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After the storm subsided, artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen went to Hanoi with her friends to survey the area. Witnessing the sight of trees lying flattened on the ground, her heart ached. When she arrived at Co Tan flower garden and saw a 70-year-old mahogany tree uprooted and being trimmed for removal, she and her friends immediately contacted the authorities to propose the idea of ​​reviving the tree and turning it into a work of art.

At the event, Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, said that Typhoon Yagi, which hit Hanoi, toppled and broke many trees. In Hoan Kiem District, 700 trees were felled, including many large ones. "Hoan Kiem District has accepted the idea from Tia-Thuy Nguyen's team to restore the dead trees in a creative and community-oriented spirit. We believe that this work will receive public support and bring a fresh look to public works in the central urban area," Mr. Pham Tuan Long added.

It serves as both a frame and a shape.

Tia-Thuy Nguyen followed the original form of the tree trunk to create the shape, welding together many steel sheets in an inlaid pattern. This was the result of much research, calculation, and experience from her work "Flower of Life," 2023.

"To create the artwork 'Resurrection,' my colleagues and I perfected the technique and aesthetics over more than 6,000 hours of work. We followed the original form of the tree trunk to create the shape, welding together many steel leaves in an inlaid pattern. After much research, calculations, and experience from the artwork Flower of Life, 2023, over 6 tons of stainless steel were handcrafted to resemble the tree trunk, welded shut, and given a rough surface to mimic real tree bark. The iridescent metal layer serves as both a frame and a sparkling ornament in the sunlight. The branches are recreated with natural curves, with thousands of leaves made from gleaming steel and multicolored quartz crystal flowers," Tia-Thuy Nguyen said.

With meticulous attention to detail, Tia-Thuy Nguyen and her collaborators strive to push back against the desolation of death. She aims to capture the various phenomena occurring around the artwork, linking destruction and reconstruction, disintegration and harmony, and death and rebirth.

From fall to rebirth

The artwork "Resurrection," after being given a new look and rearranged in the very same location where it once lived a vibrant life, stands still. The mahogany tree no longer simply casts its shade silently; it becomes more vibrant, responding to every drop of sunlight that touches its newly clothed body. The life and energy of "Resurrection" reside not only in itself but also in its interaction with the surrounding world.

Tia-Thuy Nguyen has successfully blended the grandeur and expansiveness of a large-scale installation with the individuality of each viewer's experience. The work becomes a connecting thread, not only between the viewer and natural light, but also between the viewer and their own memories. A timely ray of sunlight will illuminate the heart of the tree. A stream of memories sent to the tree will be reciprocated. The energy of that mahogany tree does not dissipate, nor does its "life" end; the cosmic energy and Mother Nature transform it into a work of art.

The uniqueness of the work lies not in its overwhelming size but in the subtle details that breathe life into the objects. "Resurrection" sparks curiosity in viewers about the form and origin of the artwork, while also suggesting various possible approaches to the same piece of art. In "Resurrection," the dead tree is the beginning of a "new chapter," a form of relief in overcoming the burden of existence, and perhaps most importantly, the revelation of beauty amidst the storm.

Architect Doan Ky Thanh assessed the work "Revival" as a major project, requiring dedication and high skill from the creator. "This work will leave a significant mark on the development of public art spaces in Hanoi, a field that is still relatively new to the capital."

At the art launch, artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen also expressed her gratitude to the welders, construction workers, laborers, security guards, local police, and cyclo drivers who contributed to the creation of her artwork. "Thank you to all the people living around the flower garden, as well as the people of Hanoi in general, who, even if they only passed through, brought to me stories about this land and its people," she said.

The artwork "Resurrection" is an outdoor installation in Co Tan flower garden, Trang Tien ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, offering a free space for tourists and locals to admire and explore. Artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen hopes that each viewer can immerse themselves in the beauty of the trees, blend with the natural light, and create their own profound reflections.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao