Returning after 12 days and nights of direct participation in sea turtle rescue and conservation efforts in Con Dao, Master of Fine Arts and sculptor Cao Thanh Tha has been nurturing an art project with the support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to contribute to the communication efforts for sea turtle conservation and the marine environment.
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| Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition on June 15th. (Photo: Vi Vi) |
On June 15th, the "Phieu" (Wandering) art installation, featuring 1,001 hand-sculpted ceramic sea turtles by artist Cao Thanh Tha, officially opened at the Hanoi Information & Exhibition Center (93 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District), sending a message about the need to work together to conserve sea turtle species and marine biodiversity, in response to World Sea Turtle Day (June 16th).
The number 1,001 represents 1,000 eggs, baby sea turtles, and one adult female turtle returning to their birthplace to lay eggs after overcoming treacherous currents in the deep ocean and starting a new life.
This is reportedly a record number that no artist has ever achieved before. However, this number wasn't chosen by the artist to set a record; rather, it stems from the extremely low survival rate of sea turtles (1 in 1000), as well as the alarming risk of extinction of this animal, which is listed in the IUCN Red List.
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| The number 1,001 represents 1,000 eggs, baby sea turtles, and one adult female turtle returning to their birthplace to lay eggs. (Photo: Vi Vi) |
Through the exhibition, artist Cao Thanh Tha presents to the public the adventurous story of sea turtles from birth to their integration into the ocean, beginning their days of wandering on ocean currents and drifting on the vast sea.
The exhibition comprises six art installations with the titles: Beautiful Ocean - Reality - Future , Ocean Current , Undercurrent , Sunrise - Sunset - Darkness , and Return , along with exciting interactive activities.
Artist Cao Thanh Tha shared that this is not just an art event, but also a call to action, encouraging each individual to join hands in protecting the marine environment. Each artwork is a reminder of our responsibility to the planet and the creatures that live on it.
The exhibition "Wandering with Artist Cao Thanh Tha" marks a foray into sculpture and ceramics. Prior to this exhibition, she was primarily an applied sculptor and a production manager for park and themed decorative projects. She had never tried her hand at ceramics – a material that is not "easy to work with."
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| The beautifully arranged space at the "Wandering" Exhibition. (Photo: Vi Vi) |
Sea turtles are a fundamental link in the marine ecosystem. These creatures help maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, thereby benefiting commercially valuable species such as shrimp, lobsters, and tuna. Sea turtles appeared on Earth approximately 200 million years ago. While dinosaurs went extinct 100 million years later, sea turtles survived thanks to their adaptations to the ocean environment and continue to exist to this day.
Nevertheless, these ancient, fossilized living organisms, which have survived for millions of years, are facing a serious decline due to human activity and the threat of global climate change.
Currently, only 40% to 50% of sea turtle hatchlings born on beaches survive to reach the ocean. And only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles survive to reach adulthood and return to their birthplace to lay eggs and create new life.
There are currently 7 species of sea turtles recorded worldwide, of which Vietnam has 5 species, all classified as rare and endangered animals globally and receiving special attention from many countries around the world.
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| Visitors enjoyed experiencing and interacting at the exhibition. (Photo: Vi Vi) |
Over the past 200 years, human activities have exceeded the resilience of these ancient "sailors." Killed for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and overexploitation. They also face habitat degradation and unintentional exploitation.
Climate change is impacting sea turtle nesting areas, altering sand temperatures, and affecting the sex of hatchlings. Almost all turtle species are at risk of extinction, with 3 of the 7 species currently critically endangered.
Cao Thanh Tha, a Master of Fine Arts and sculptor, has participated in community art projects aimed at protecting the marine environment. Since 2018, the female artist has been involved in numerous art projects across Vietnam's coastal regions. These include: the art workshop project using waste and styrofoam floats in Bai Tu Long Bay ( Quang Ninh ) in 2018; the "Floating Ocean on Land" project using waste from the island for the Hon Cau Island Conservation Area ( Binh Thuan ) in 2019... |
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chiem-nguong-1001-rua-bien-bang-gom-doc-dao-duoc-nan-hoan-toan-bang-tay-275085.html
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