On April 22nd, the Hoàn Kiếm District People’s Committee in Hanoi held the grand opening ceremony for the renovation project of Cổ Tân Flower Garden. The highlight was the unveiling of the artwork “Resurrected,” created by artist Tia – Thủy Nguyễn.
The event attracted numerous dignitaries, experts, and artists including NSƯT Hoàng Tùng, singer Mỹ Linh, singer Hồng Nhung, and painter Khắc Chinh.
A contemporary dance performance choreographed by NSND Trần Ly Ly kicked off the ceremony, visually depicting the journey from destruction to rebirth. The dancers’ movements resonated with the rhythm of life, deeply moving the audience.
Mr. Phạm Tuấn Long, Chairman of the Hoàn Kiếm District People’s Committee, addresses the event. (Photo: Organizing Committee).
In his address, Mr. Phạm Tuấn Long stated that Typhoon Yagi, which struck Hanoi in 2024, caused significant damage, including the uprooting and snapping of numerous trees. In Hoàn Kiếm District alone, 700 trees were affected, many of them large specimens.
The district, working with local residents, cleared the debris and salvaged trees with the potential for restoration. Those deemed unrecoverable were appropriately dealt with.
“During this process, the Hoàn Kiếm District received an idea from the Tia – Thủy Nguyễn team to creatively resurrect the fallen trees as a community project. We believe this artwork will be well-received by the public and will bring a fresh new dimension to this central urban space,” stated Mr. Phạm Tuấn Long.
Artist Tia – Thủy Nguyễn explained that immediately after the storm, she and her collaborators surveyed the damage in Hanoi, witnessing the fallen trees. Seeing a 70-year-old fig tree uprooted and prepared for removal at Cổ Tân Flower Garden deeply moved her. She promptly contacted the relevant authorities to develop the “Resurrection” project.
The 9-meter-tall, 2-meter-diameter artwork utilizes 6 tons of stainless steel to recreate the fig tree’s form in a dazzling new aesthetic, while retaining its natural essence. (Photo: Organizing Committee).
From the fragments of nature, artist Tia – Thủy Nguyễn has crafted a 9-meter-tall, 2-meter-diameter artwork. It uses 6 tons of stainless steel and quartz to recreate the fig tree in a stunning new light, yet preserving its natural character.
“The creation of ‘Resurrected’ required over 6,000 hours of work. After trimming the trunk and roots, the trunk was clad with thick stainless steel sheets, meticulously shaped by hand. Precision was key to ensuring the steel fitted snugly to the contours of the weathered trunk.
All joints were meticulously welded to resemble the natural bark’s grooves and ridges. The branches were sculpted to recreate their natural curves, and the leaves were fashioned from thousands of shimmering steel leaves,” the artist recounted.
Architectural designer Đoàn Kỳ Thanh praised the project as a large-scale, meticulous work demanding the utmost creativity and skill. She believes it will create a landmark community space in the capital city.
“The artwork ‘Resurrected’ represents a significant step forward in establishing public art spaces in Hanoi, something we’ve lacked before,” commented architect Đoàn Kỳ Thanh.
Artist Tia – Thủy Nguyễn (right) shares a warm bond with singer Hồng Nhung. (Photo: Organizing Committee).
The outdoor “Resurrected” artwork allows visitors free access for contemplation. Artist Tia – Thủy Nguyễn hopes that each viewer will be able to appreciate the beauty of the tree in natural light and develop their own unique interpretations.
