Public Art and the Power to Regenerate Spaces and Communities
Written by Chii Nguyễn
Photos by Chii Nguyễn
Translate into English by Đinh Vũ Nhật Hồng
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On the evening of November 22, 2024, as part of VFCD 2024, a special walking tour led by curator/artist Nguyễn Thế Sơn attracted nearly 20 participants from various countries. This was a journey to explore how art can regenerate spaces and communities, focusing on public art projects in Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi.
Departing from Long Biên Station – Transforming from history to modernity
The tour began at Long Biên Train Station, which is closely associated with the historical Long Biên Bridge and many wartime stories. Long Biên Station is also the most recent location to be transformed by the talented hands of artists.
Behind the station was a section leading to the market area under the bridge. Once long shrouded in darkness, it is now illuminated by ceramic lanterns, CNC-cut street vendor installations, and a massive 3D artwork on a timeworn wall. Each piece carries out the mission of engaging in a dialogue with space, time, and the lives of the locals.
Trần Nhật Duật Pedestrian Bridge – “Aquarium” in the air in the heart of Hanoi
Continuing our journey, we moved to the Trần Nhật Duật Pedestrian Bridge, which has been “reborn” from a deteriorating structure into a vibrant public art space. Transformed by the creative hands of the CungDinh art collective, the bridge has become a lively “aquarium.”
“Thanks to art, we have the motivation to walk up this bridge.” – one tour participant shared.
On the very first steps leading up to the pedestrian bridge, we were met with the “Cá Chép vượt vũ môn” (Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate) by artist Cấn Văn Ân. Along the bridge’s railings, the artwork “Sóng” (Waves) by artist Lê Đăng Ninh evoked memories of the Red River’s ripples and the lives of those who call this place home. The bridge’s vaulted canopy showcases the piece “Thủy Cung” (Aquarium) by artist Vũ Xuân Đông, resembling a vibrant aquarium tunnel filled with various marine creatures crafted from recycled materials. Interestingly, these artworks remained intact even after the historic Typhoon Yagi, which tore away the entire canopy. Despite the storm, these “marine creatures” persisted with their resilience.
Phúc Tân – Where the light of art dispels darkness
After taking a few more steps to cross the Thanh Yên Gate, we entered the Phúc Tân area. Here, the Phúc Tân Public Art project, which was unveiled four years ago, and the Phúc Tân Forest Park project, initiated by Think Playgrounds and launched earlier this year, have created another creative open space for the community. The public artworks here not only positively transform the landscape but also breathe new life into an area that was once abandoned, known for theft and drug activity.
According to artist Nguyễn Thế Sơn, the bridge serves as a connecting point, helping to realise the idea of linking these two sides of the city through public art. Careful research and crafting have been put into these artworks by the artists to make them interactive and relatable to the local people.
The Phúc Tân Public Art project has transformed this residential area with light and art. Created by 16 volunteer artists, both local and foreign, the project aims to regenerate an abandoned area into a space for the community and tourism, while also bringing environmental and cultural benefits.
Public art here addresses urgent issues of the modern era, such as emissions from 40 million motorbikes, waste pollution in the environment, the connection between the past and the future, and new urban areas in Vietnam’s development. It fosters a dialogue between the artworks and their location itself. For example, the image of the Long Biên Bridge, the scenery and the visitors are reflected in the hundreds of mirror pieces on the boat sculptures by artist Cấn Văn Ân. Instead of simply admiring the works as exhibits in a museum, we interacted with them directly, touching and even pushing or pulling the artworks — such as the ear of the Golden Elephant by George Burchett, or turning the motorcycle wheels featuring historical images of the Long Biên Bridge by Trịnh Minh Tiến, or sitting on the tiled seating by Trần Hậu Yên Thế and the tempered glass seating by Ưu Đàm.
Artist Nguyễn Thế Sơn introduced us to the creative and regenerative process behind each artwork, intertwined with the vibrant daily activities of the local residents. He also shared with us recent projects, as well as those that the artists are currently working on and preparing to launch in the nearby Old Quarter.
We witnessed artworks that have endured the wear of time and the harsh forces of nature (at one point, they were submerged in floodwaters for days), and now become an integral part of the landscape. This area, once dark and silent, buried in waste and debris, has now transformed into a lively space for the local community: they were playing volleyball, dancing, exercising, gathering for tea… Art has become a part of daily life here.
Experiences from the public art projects from Trần Nhật Duật Pedestrian Bridge to Phúc Tân show that wherever the light of art shines, pessimistic and undesirable things diminish./
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