Recently, the 129-year-old Hang Dau Water Tower was officially "awakened" by the Pavilion Exhibition cultural space: "Water installation and Heritage of Hang Dau Water Tower". This is an experience of the art space of light installation from recycled materials and the sound installation system of water.
Hang Dau Water Tower in Hanoi is 129 years old (Photo: Truong Van Vi)
Hang Dau Water Tower (commonly known as Hang Dau booth) is located at the intersection of the following streets: Hang Than, Hang Luoc, Hang Giay, Hang Dau, Quan Thanh and Phan Dinh Phung. The building was built in 1894 and is one of the ancient architectural works of Hanoi built by the French.
Hang Dau Booth has a cylindrical shape, 19 m in diameter, 3 floors high, a conical roof, and a lightning rod in the middle. The tower has a large steel water tank with a capacity of 1,250 m3, located on top of 8 stone walls. Currently, Hang Dau booth basically retains its original state.
For the first time, Hang Dau Water Tower is open to visitors. (Photo: Truong Van Vi)
Decoding the fever of "waking up" Hang Dau Water Tower
Since its announcement, the event has attracted a lot of attention from the people and tourists. As part of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, the exhibition is completely free of charge. The art space at Hang Dau booth is open daily in three time slots: morning from 9:00 - 12:30; afternoon from 13:30 - 17:30 and evening from 18:00 - 21:00.
The event received the attention of many tourists (Photo: Truong Van Vi)
Because it has never been opened, many people have lined up since 5am out of curiosity to explore the inside of Hang Dau Water Tower. However, you can completely register early through the website of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023. After successful registration, you will receive an electronic ticket in the form of a QR code sent to your email.
To ensure a complete experience, visitors to the event will line up from the Hang Dau Flower Garden area. Then, when visiting, visitors will go in groups of 20-30 people into the Hang Dau Water Tower.
Tourists line up to visit inside Hang Dau Booth.
The combination of heritage - architecture - art
Different from the noisy space outside the intersection, entering Hang Dau Water Tower, visitors seem to be lost in a quiet, enchanting space with wooden paths, red and green patches and the sound of water. The harmonious combination of heritage - architecture - art brings many interesting experiences to visitors when visiting the art space at Hang Dau booth in its first public introduction.
The harmonious combination of heritage - art - architecture
The exhibition was organized by architect Cao The Anh, artist Nguyen Duc Phuong and construction unit Phung Cong Minh. The exhibition was inspired by the six waters. According to Eastern concept, the six waters represent six natural water sources: river water, stream water, spring water, rain water, underground water and sea water.
The exhibition space in the booth includes: a sound installation system recreating the sounds of water in nature, a light installation system with images emphasizing the impact of urban areas on the natural environment.
The exhibition is inspired by the land and water.
The group of authors created stylized lotus leaves that float, with vibrant colors and fluttering in the pavilion. They are made from recycled nylon - which is seriously affecting the water environment. The colorful patches are part of the light installation system. Through these works, the creative group hopes to bring to the public a reality about the problem of urban water resources.
Coming to Hang Dau booth, visitors are also satisfied both visually and aurally. The sound effect of trickling water has a healing frequency, soothing human emotions according to psychology.
Stylized lotus leaves with vibrant colors.
Color patches made from recycled nylon (Photo: Truong Van Vi)
Entering the exhibition space, visitors will only follow a single path made of recycled wood forming a circle, following the diameter of Hang Dau booth. The interesting point is that the materials are completely made from recycled products and recycled plastic, so they are very light. This wooden path is very mobile, can be lifted out or put in easily without screws or nails on the surface of the heritage, so it does not affect the structure of Hang Dau Water Tower.
Impressed with the art space at Hang Dau Water Tower since the event was announced in the media and press, Ms. Hoang Thi Bich Lien (61 years old, Hanoi) shared: “I am very happy because today I can directly go inside Hang Dau booth. I have passed by here many times but only got to see the outside, today I was able to visit. Awakening the ancient heritage of Hanoi is very meaningful, helping people learn more about these works”.
Sound effect of trickling water (Photo: Truong Van Vi)
Road made of recycled wood (Photo: Truong Van Vi)
In particular, Hang Dau booth is just one of many works within the framework of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, held from November 17 to November 26, 2023. The series of events helps people go back in time to learn about the historical places of the Capital.
