“Reviving” the ancient soapberry tree at Co Tan flower garden, adding creative space for the community

The ancient mahogany tree that fell during Typhoon Yagi has been recreated into a creative work called “Resurrection” and placed in Co Tan Flower Garden, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The artist Tia – Thuy Nguyen and her colleagues spent 7 months to complete the work, transforming a dead tree into a unique creative work of art, contributing to the renovation of Co Tan Flower Garden into an attractive creative space for the community.

Delegates and author Tia - Thuy Nguyen take a photo with the work "Resurrection". Photo: HL

On the afternoon of April 22, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District held the opening ceremony of the Co Tan Flower Garden Renovation Project, with the highlight being the debut of the work "Revival" by artists Tia - Thuy Nguyen. Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) Ha Van Sieu; leaders of Hoan Kiem District and representatives of departments and branches of Hanoi City.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Pham Tuan Long said that the storm Yagi that hit Hanoi had knocked down and broken many trees, with 700 trees falling in Hoan Kiem District alone, including many large trees. Hoan Kiem District and local people have been working together to clean up and rebuild trees that can recover, and those that cannot recover have also been treated appropriately. During that process, Hoan Kiem District accepted the idea of the creative team Tia - Thuy Nguyen to rebuild dead trees in the spirit of community creativity. "We believe that this work will receive the satisfaction of the people and especially bring a new breath to public works in the central urban area," Mr. Pham Tuan Long expressed.

Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee speaks at the opening ceremony. Photo: HL

The work “Resurrection” is not only an art installation, but also a journey of transformation from a fallen acacia tree trunk into a sustainable creative work. From the “fragments” of nature, artist Tia – Thuy Nguyen has created a work 9 meters high, 2 meters in diameter, using 6 tons of stainless steel and quartz to recreate the shape of a acacia tree in a completely different shade – sparkling, majestic, but still retaining the soul of nature. To create “Resurrection”, the artists spent more than 6,000 working hours.

Sharing about her work, artist Tia - Thuy Nguyen said that she and her colleagues spent 7 months to create the work at Co Tan flower garden. The 5mm thick steel plates were hand-hammered, hugging the rough curves of the broken tree. The artisans welded each joint, creating rough knots and grooves, recreating the metal bark not only to protect the tree trunk but also to bring a proud, everlasting beauty. The tree branches are simulated with natural, winding lines. The foliage is made of thousands of shimmering steel leaves, dotted with sparkling quartz flowers of various colors.

Contemporary dance performance at the work's launch ceremony. Photo: HL

“We used steel, stainless steel, and quartz attached to the tree so that the tree itself can absorb energy, light, and shine naturally and sustainably. The message of the work is that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter, like the way we stand up strongly after the storm,” artist Tia – Thuy Nguyen shared.

The work “Resurrection” is located exactly where the mahogany tree once stood. Author Tia – Thuy Nguyen affirms that with the sustainable techniques and materials used, the work will be everlasting and can withstand strong impacts from the environment and nature.

Evaluating the work, architect Doan Ky Thanh said that this is a large, monumental work that requires the dedication and skill of the creator. The work will be a milestone in building a creative community space for the people of the capital.

It is known that in 2023, artist Tia - Thuy Nguyen created the work "Hoa doi" with similar techniques.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hoi-sinh-cay-xa-cu-co-thu-tai-vuon-hoa-co-tan-them-khong-gian-sang-tao-cho-cong-dong-699984.html