THE HANOI TIMES — The unveiling of “Ket Doan” (Solidarity), a captivating installation by artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen, transforms Hanoi’s August 19 Flower Garden near the Opera House into a vibrant celebration of Vietnam’s unity and collective spirit.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s “Ket Doan” (Solidarity) stands as a cultural beacon in Hanoi, masterfully crafted by a renowned overseas Vietnamese artist. Photo: VOV
During the October 26 unveiling, Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Chairman of Cua Nam Ward’s People’s Committee, emphasized the artwork’s profound symbolism.
“Solidarity reminds us that unity is our greatest strength. Individually, we are like single trees, but together, we become an invincible forest—a boundless source of power for our community,” Hoan remarked.
Historian Duong Trung Quoc echoed this sentiment, describing Solidarity as “a profound expression of urban culture,” where art reconnects with the people and thrives within the pulse of city life.
For Tia-Thuy Nguyen, the installation bridges memory and modernity. Combining metal sculpture, traditional craftsmanship, light, and sound, it reflects Vietnam’s enduring spirit through a contemporary lens.
“The August 19 Flower Garden, site of Hanoi’s 1945 uprising, embodies unity and resilience. For Vietnamese, the forest symbolizes life and strength. Solidarity is a bridge between past and present, where history and emotion converge,” she explained.
Nguyen Quoc Hoan addresses attendees at the launch ceremony. Photo: Cong Tho/ The Hanoi Times
The installation features 18 stainless-steel “trees” arranged in a luminous circle, each trunk rising gracefully skyward—a testament to resilience and elegance. Building on her previous work, Hoi sinh (Revival), Nguyen refined her metal-sculpting technique, hand-welding each joint and shaping every curve with precision.
Thousands of hours of meticulous craftsmanship resulted in a radiant masterpiece. Unlike Revival’s rugged textures, Solidarity’s polished trunks gleam with abstract vitality, adorned with motifs of flowers, leaves, doves, and pinwheels in glass, ceramic, and steel. This fusion of hard and soft materials creates a poetic dialogue between modern art and tradition.
Locals capture memories with Solidarity. Photo: Thu Huong
“I’m drawn to life’s fragility and resilience,” Nguyen shared. “Solidarity isn’t about recreating history—it’s about listening to its echoes that still resonate today.”
Set in a bustling public space, the installation merges seamlessly with daily life. Visitors stepping into its radiant circle become part of an immersive experience where light, sound, memory, and emotion intertwine.
As a cornerstone of Cua Nam Ward’s “Culture – Civilization – Creativity” initiative, Solidarity enriches urban life and reaffirms art’s power to unite hearts, generations, and communities across time.
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