70-year-old tree transformed into art after typhoon Yagi
On the afternoon of April 22, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District (Hanoi) held the opening ceremony of the Co Tan Flower Garden Renovation Project, with the highlight being the artwork "Revival" by artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen. The event attracted the attention of a large audience, along with guests such as singer My Linh, singer Hong Nhung, painter Khac Chinh, Meritorious Artist Hoang Tung, DJ Tri Minh...
On the afternoon of April 22, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District (Hanoi) held the opening ceremony of the Co Tan Flower Garden Renovation Project with the highlight being the artwork "Revival" by artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen.
Typhoon Yagi on September 7, 2024, knocked down 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 is a tree species introduced by the French from Africa in the late 19th century, bearing the mark of the capital's urban history. Artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen saw in that collapse not the end, but the starting point - to give the tree a new shape, a new life. For her, life does not end but only transforms.
Image of a 70-year-old mahogany tree, over 20 meters tall, in Co Tan flower garden being knocked down by storm Yagi
Artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen saw in that collapse not an end, but a starting point – to give the tree a new shape.
After the storm passed, artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen went to Hanoi and with her friends went to survey, witnessing the scene of green trees lying flat on the ground, her heart ached. When she arrived at Co Tan flower garden and saw a 70-year-old rosewood tree uprooted, being cut down to be taken away. Immediately, she and her friends contacted the authorities to propose the idea of reviving the tree into a work of art.
At the event, Mr. Pham Tuan Long - Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee said that Typhoon Yagi landed in Hanoi and knocked down and broke many trees, in Hoan Kiem District there were 700 fallen trees, many of which were large trees. "Hoan Kiem District has accepted the idea of the Tia-Thuy Nguyen team about restoring dead trees in the spirit of community creativity. We believe that this work will receive the support of the people and bring newness to public works in the central urban area", Mr. Pham Tuan Long added.
The work "Revival" becomes a connecting thread, not only between the audience and the natural light, but also between them and each nostalgia present within. Photo: Phuong Thao
Artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen (center) speaks at the event. Photo: Phuong Thao
Both frame and image
Tia-Thuy Nguyen followed the original shape of the tree trunk to create the shape, welding many steel sheets on top in a mosaic pattern. After much research, calculation and experience from the work "Flower of Life", 2023 (Hoa Doi, 2023).
"To create the work 'Resurrection', my colleagues and I have perfected the technique as well as the aesthetics in more than 6,000 working hours. We followed the original shape of the tree trunk to create the shape, welding many steel leaves on top in an inlaid pattern. After much research, calculation and experience from the work Flower of Life, 2023 (Hoa Doi, 2023). More than 6 tons of stainless steel were hand-formed according to the shape of the tree trunk, welded tightly and created a rough surface simulating real tree bark. The iridescent metal layer is both a frame and a layer of jewelry sparkling in the sun. The tree branches are recreated with natural curves, with thousands of leaves made from shimmering steel and multi-colored quartz flowers," Tia-Thuy Nguyen said.
With meticulous calculation of every corner, Tia-Thuy Nguyen and her collaborators show their efforts to push back the desolation of death. She wishes to "capture" the different phenomena that occur around the work, linking destruction and reconstruction, disintegration and harmony, death and rebirth.
From Fall to Rebirth
The work "Resurrection" after being dressed in a new coat, was rearranged at the same place where it had lived a green past life. The acacia tree still stood still, but it did not just silently cast its shadow but became more alive, responding to each drop of sunlight touching its body that had been dressed in a new coat. The life and energy of "Resurrection" lies not only in itself, but also in its contact with the surrounding world.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen has harmonized the grandeur and freedom of a large-scale installation with the individuality of each viewing experience of the audience. The work becomes a connecting thread, not only between the audience and the natural light, but also between them and each memory present within. A timely ray of sunlight will make the heart of the tree light up. A stream of memories sent to the tree will also be responded by the tree. The energy of that acacia tree never disappears, just as its “life” never ends, the energy of the universe and Mother Nature transforms it into a work of art.
More than 6 tons of stainless steel are hand-formed to the shape of the tree trunk, sealed and given a rough surface to simulate real tree bark.
The uniqueness of the work is not in its overwhelming size but in the details that give life to the object. "Resurrection" evokes in the viewer many curiosities about the shape and origin of a work, at the same time suggesting many different approaches to the same work of art. With "Resurrection", the dead tree is the beginning of a "new chapter", a figure of relief when overcoming the burden of existence and perhaps most importantly, the manifestation of beauty in the midst of the storm.
Architect Doan Ky Thanh assessed the work "Revival" as a large project, requiring dedication and high level of the creator. "This work will leave an important mark in the construction of public art spaces in Hanoi, a field that is still new to the capital."
The uniqueness of the work is not in its overwhelming size but in the details that bring life to the object.
During the work's launch, artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen also expressed her gratitude to the welders, construction workers, janitors, security guards, local police, and cyclo drivers who helped her make the work. "Thank you to the people living around the flower garden as well as the people of Hanoi in general, even though they were just passing by, they all brought me stories about the land and people here," she said.
The artwork "Revival" is installed outdoors at Co Tan flower garden, Trang Tien ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, opening up a free space for tourists and residents to admire and visit freely. Artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen hopes that each viewer can immerse themselves in the beauty of the tree, blend with the natural light and create their own profound contemplations.
This work will leave an important mark in building public art spaces in Hanoi.
