Installation art revives Hanoi’s green legacy
The once majestic 60-year-old soapberry tree, felled by Typhoon Yagi last year in Hoan Kiem District, has been given new life and has become a striking piece of installation art.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi-based designer Tia-Thuy Nguyen has given the fallen tree a new meaning, transforming it into an artwork titled "Resurrection" with the aim of bringing contemporary art closer to the public and showcasing the creative potential of Vietnamese artists.
The installation will be unveiled on April 22 at the Co Tan Flower Garden, near the emblematic Hanoi Opera House in the heart of Hanoi.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen explained that although the tree was being uprooted, this did not mean its end. Instead, she wanted to help "revive" it and begin a new chapter in the life cycle of this cherished heritage tree.
This artwork has garnered strong support from Hanoi and Hoan Kiem District authorities. “Resurrection” not only contributes to the revitalization of the public space after the devastating storm, but also adds an artistic and cultural highlight to the district. It reflects Hanoi's vision to develop its cultural industries while preserving the historical and heritage values associated with its urban trees.
To create "Resurrection," the artist and her team worked for nearly four months, using more than six tons of metal, thousands of stainless steel leaves, and vibrant quartz "flowers.
Originally 20 meters tall, the soapberry tree was one of the rare species introduced from Africa by the French in the late 19th century as part of an early effort to green Hanoi's urban landscape. It was one of more than 25,000 that were toppled by the fierce winds of Typhoon Yagi in September 2024.
In the aftermath of the storm, many locals and foreign visitors join hands to preserve a memory of Hanoi.
With artistic precision, the finished work captures the past majesty of the tree trunk while remaining true to its original features.
5mm thick stainless steel sheets, meticulously welded and sculpted to replicate the rough texture of bark, were hand-hammered to match the natural shape of the tree.
When touched by light, the metallic shell shimmers in an iridescent tribute to the tree's enduring presence.
Above the trunk, thousands of steel leaves and radiant quartz blossoms gleam in the early Hanoi summer sun, casting a poetic glow over the garden.
The artwork, whose theme is the revival of ancient trees, is about to complete.
Once unveiled, the installation will remain permanently in the Co Tan Flower Garden, enriching the city's public art landscape and reflecting the fusion of nature, memory, and creativity.
