EN
On October 31, at An Fine Art Gallery, 159 Dong Khoi (HCMC), the exhibition “Weaving Light” was officially launched to the public. Not just an art exhibition space, this is an experiential journey - where light, materials and emotions are blended into a unique language to talk about the beauty of the skin and the beauty of the soul.
When light “weaves” skin and emotions
“Weaving Light” is considered a metaphor for the relationship between skin and inner self, between tangible material and intangible emotions. Instead of presenting products or advertising images, the creative team led by architect Nhat Thi and space weaver LAM Weaving Spaces chose to create emotions with light and materials.
Here, “light” is not just a source of illumination, but an invisible material that is shaped - something woven by the artist’s emotions and vibrations. And “weaving” is the act of connection: connecting between layers of skin, between injury and recovery, between people and themselves.
At the exhibition, architect Lam combined materials and light to "weave" deep layers of inner emotions.
“How can light - an invisible thing - be 'woven' into emotion?”, shared architect Lam of Lam Weaving Spaces, “The journey begins with listening: listening to the message, listening to the material, and listening to the vibrations inside yourself.”
From scientific research on the microstructure of the skin, the group of artists has “translated” the language of science into the language of art. The dry cell patches, the interwoven collagen structures are recreated using shiny stainless steel, hologram paper, dó paper and stretched fabric. Each material carries a symbolic meaning of faith, vulnerability and the desire for resurrection.
From the Darkness of “Self” to the Light of “Resurrection”
The first space in the exhibition - Being is the starting point of the emotional journey. Here, the viewer enters a quiet scene, where the light is dim, the sound is deep and the space is simulated as cracked surface cells shaped by dó paper. This image not only speaks of dry skin but also is a metaphor for the cracks in the soul, the injuries, doubts and brokenness that everyone has experienced. The sound is faint, the light is dim, the space seems to encapsulate the thoughts that people always hide.
The image of the "cracked" skin surface in the first space evokes deep cracks in the soul.
Going inside, the skin surface begins to connect with the deeper part - where collagen cells are simulated by shiny metal bars, reflecting the constantly moving light. Under each angle, those "cells" flash and then disappear, reflecting the layers of human emotions. That effect makes the space seem to breathe, exposing the deep layers of the soul where joy, sadness, happiness and loneliness intertwine.
There, viewers are invited to confront and reflect on themselves, instead of avoiding the cracks or trying to cover up the damage with outer shells. Because only when we dare to look directly at those imperfect parts can we find our whole selves and realize that deep down there are always small joys, like rays of hope shining through the darkness.
Light seeps through each multi-colored collagen hologram, reflecting on the wall brilliant colors, both fragile and full of life. That is the moment when light begins to shine through the layers of darkness, signaling the journey of emotional revival.
The hologram threads carrying that glimmer of hope stretch through the dark corridor, leading viewers into the main space of “Weaving Light” - where the scene glows magically, filled with pure light as an affirmation: after trauma, people can still be reborn and shine.
Here, light and matter blend: shimmering holograms combine with transparent air pockets representing air cushion collagen - the ingredient that helps the skin to be elastic and recover from damage. The room glows like a symbol of hope and life, where the soul is touched by pure joy.
If darkness is the depth for human beings to introspect, then light is the reward for that courage. The transition between these two spaces is a subtle metaphor for the human journey from hurt to healing.
Air cushions and collagen fibers help restore the skin as well as heal deep damage, bringing a bright space.
The Origin of Life - When Salt Becomes Memory
The emotional journey ends in the third dimension - the Origin of Life. Here, all matter returns to its roots: water and salt. Water - colorless, odorless, tasteless, like the original nature of humans when they are born. But as water flows through life, it absorbs flavor, energy, and becomes unique, just like how humans become themselves after layers of emotional experiences.
In that room, light reflects on the transparent salt crystals, making them sparkle like memories distilled after a long journey. In Vietnamese and Japanese culture, salt also has the meaning of purification and enlightenment, a substance that carries positive energy to help balance and regenerate. Therefore, "the origin of life" is like the crystallization of the two previous spaces: from injury to revival, from darkness to brilliance.
The center of the space "The Origin of Life" which is also the end point of the journey "Weaving Light" is salt - the crystallization of life.
“Weaving Light” is not just an art exhibition. It is a journey of self-reflection, where each person is invited to look back at their own skin, body and soul. Through the language of light, materials and sound, the exhibition raises a profound question: Do we really listen to our bodies and emotions, or are we always looking for external beauty?
Amidst the reflected colors and shimmering lights, viewers walked out of the exhibition with a sense of relief. Not because they understood the artist’s intentions, but because, for a moment, they saw themselves – fragile, wounded, but also full of light.
