Diem Phung Thi-inspired Playground
09 – 17 Nov 2024
Children’s Palace Hà Nội
36-38 Lý Thái Tổ, Ward Lý Thái Tổ, district Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
From the organizer:
Inspired by the ‘variation’ in the modular sculpture language of the late artist Diem Phung Thi, Think Playgrounds collaborated with the curatorial team of the exhibition “Hanoi Children’s Palace: Nostalgia for the future” to create a playground complex at the festival grounds using the artist’s modular blocks.
Diem Phung Thi is a special sculptor in Vietnamese art. She entered the art world relatively late, studying under sculptor Antoniucci Volti at the School of Applied Arts in Paris after spending nearly half her life pursuing a career as a dentist in Vietnam and France. Through experimentation, she developed a modular system of seven units, which allowed her to create a diverse array of works in multiple materials and sizes. Her artistic output includes sculptures, prints, paintings, collages, jewelry, and furniture, showcased at numerous international exhibitions in Vietnam. Most of Diem Phung Thi’s sculptures are situated in public spaces such as city hall yards, libraries, schools, hospitals, and martyrs’ memorials in Hue, among others.
At the end of her life, Diem Phung Thi donated most of her works to Hue City. This generosity is evident in the legacy she left for future generations, reflecting her desire for her creations to ‘live’ and engage with the audience – much like the way children joyfully climb on the public works she created. In the spirit of the sculptor, we aim to continue her legacy by offering a gift to children during the Festival at the Hanoi Children’s Palace.
The “Diem Phung Thi-inspired Playground” is part of the Hanoi Children’s Palace: Nostalgia for the Future series within the framework of the Hanoi Festival of Creative Design 2024, taking place from November 9th to November 17th, 2024. Located in the outdoor area of Childhood Garden and the Children’s Palace, this playground invites viewers, especially children, to awaken their artistic creativity through interactive experiences. It promises to be a meaningful space for art and creativity enthusiasts, offering an enriching playground for all.
The Diem Phung Thi – inspired Playground project was carried out by Think Playgrounds with the support of a curatorial team, sponsored by UNESCO’s EMPLEMENT! project and SOVICO and the Dogma Collection.
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