'Strange' images inside Hang Dau water tower before the first day of opening to welcome guests

By late afternoon on November 15, the design and construction team had completed the final preparations to be ready to welcome visitors on November 17.

On the opening day, visitors will be able to visit the interior of the capital’s famous water tower for the first time. The design team, including architect Cao The Anh, artist Nguyen Duc Phuong and colleagues, created two installation systems inside the tower: a sound system and a lighting system.

The sound installation recreates the sound of water in nature and the light installation visually expands the image of artifacts recycled from urban waste.

During the survey for design, the authors determined that Hang Dau water tower is made up of cylindrical blocks including arched walls, creating a very unique circular path. Taking advantage of this feature, the group of authors turned this place into an interesting walk with light and dark spaces, solid and empty spaces, so that each time passing through each arch of the tower, visitors will realize different emotions and surprises.

In order not to affect the structure of the heritage, the authors created a path made of recycled wood that can be easily removed without the need for screws.

According to artist Nguyen Duc Phuong, the exhibition was inspired by the concept of six waters in East Asia. Six waters symbolize six natural water sources: river water, stream water, spring water, rain water, underground water, and sea water.

The jars placed in the compartments play an important role in creating a lively sound system. The authors used a water pump system to drip water into each jar. By adjusting the water frequency and the speed of the water drops, different sounds will be created, bringing a lively sound performance to visitors.

The team of authors had to experiment with many frequencies of water droplets and continuously adjust each pitch to choose the right sound with a frequency that heals and soothes human emotions according to psychology. Choosing the type of microphone and speaker to produce the most natural sound of water also challenged the creators and the construction unit.

The artworks, which are made from recycled nylon, which is seriously affecting the water environment, are arranged vividly and ethereally in the tower. Through these works, the creative team hopes to bring to the public a reality about urban water resources.

The works do not have a specific shape, but depend on the imagination of the visitors. It can be a lotus leaf, or a drop of water.

With the dedication of the design team, the 6 exhibition spaces of the exhibition “Water Installation & Heritage of Hang Dau Water Tower” will certainly be an interesting experience for visitors , thereby creating a connection between urban society and the natural world through the image of water. The art installation at Hang Dau Water Tower is part of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 (from November 17 to December 31) hosted by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Vietnam Association of Architects.