A year ago, Ha Hoai received an assignment from Toong about a large sculpture to be created in the skylight area of the 5th floor. After that, the artist worked tirelessly, from the workshop in Ho Chi Minh City to the actual work at Toong Phan Boi Chau.
The unique work gradually took shape, consisting of 50 sculptures inspired by allergies within the body, which were then reflected in each surrounding environment. Today, Mutant is completed and has become the largest installation work in Do Ha Hoai's career.
"The mutant is an evolution of the sculptures called 'Allergy' that I have created over the past 10 years. The mutant is 15 meters tall, with its feet on the ocean floor, its hands on the ground and its head in the clouds. In the next few years, with the passage of time, the mutant will combine with Hanoi's moss to create a new layer of color that will surprise viewers," said sculptor Do Ha Hoai.
Sculptor Do Ha Hoai brings Mutant - the largest installation work of his career - to Toong creative space at 51 Phan Boi Chau, Hanoi
Do Ha Hoai does not care much about using words to express his works. Because he believes that each person will have a different way of perceiving the work, depending on their emotions, thoughts and perspectives. The work will also "sparkle" in different ways when you stand and look up, down, or from certain floors. And most importantly, he wants to let space and time decorate the work. Natural light or lamplight will create different emotions for the work. Time will change the color of the wall, cover the work with moss, and also change the appearance of the mutant over the years...
Do Ha Hoai is one of the creators discovered and supported to develop in Toong's platform. Since his first solo exhibition at Toong, 126 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ho Chi Minh City in 2021, his works have appeared in international sculpture exhibitions such as Sasaran International Art Festival/Art Exhibition in Malaysia and Vietnamese Wind The Debut Gathering in Japan.
"Mutant" includes 50 different small statues
Do Hoai Ha chose to cooperate with Toong because Toong, the name inspired by the Beehive, conveys the ambition of the founder and his colleagues in creating working environments that are not only comfortable but also inspiring.
With 20 locations spanning from Hanoi - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City - Laos, each location has a different architecture and ideas. Toong Phan Boi Chau location is a harmony between the elegant beauty of the old streets of Hanoi and the liberal lines of contemporary art. Dotted among the contemporary urban architecture are decorative touches with old iron bars, reminiscent of an old but romantic memory of Hanoi, helping employees have a comfortable space and freedom to be creative when working.
"Mutant" is a development of Do Ha Hoai's previous exhibition "Allergy"
In particular, the appearance of the work "Mutant" by Do Ha Hoai throughout the 5 floors, 15 m high, creates a working space integrating cultural and artistic elements, bringing different experiences to the "office residents" in Toong's community - working, enjoying art and gradually improving their aesthetic ability.
