Hanoi-born artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen showcased her immense creativity throughout her artistic journey, particularly with her large-scale installation, Drops of the Sun. This masterpiece was officially unveiled to art enthusiasts in Monaco, becoming an integral part of the transformative Mareterra project.
The inauguration ceremony on December 7 was graced by prominent figures and officials from Monaco, including Prince Albert II and Prime Minister Serge Telle.
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Part of Tia Thuy Nguyen’s artwork. Photo courtesy of the artist. |
Mareterra, a new district under development in Monaco, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of leading designers, architects, engineers, and ecologists from around the world, all working in harmony with the natural environment.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen, with her profound respect for the ever-shifting nature, spent considerable time at the Mareterra project site. There, she found inspiration in the raw beauty of coastal cliffs and the captivating play of natural light, which fueled her creative process.
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A closer look at the Quartz cloud. Photo courtesy of the artist. |
As a result, she crafted Drops of the Sun, a four-part installation comprising: Natural Light, Quartz Cloud Painting, Light Prism, and Reincarnation Window. The Quartz Cloud Painting, in particular, is a stunning piece crafted from over four tons of carefully selected and crafted quartz, simulating drifting clouds.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen expressed her joy in representing Vietnamese artists on the global stage, bridging her country’s fine arts with contemporary artistic values within Europe’s largest construction project.
Drops of the Sun stands at an impressive 2.6 meters tall and spans 5 meters, enveloping all four walls of a 25-square-meter room. Creating this artwork was no small feat for Tia-Thuy Nguyen and her team of 25. They faced challenges in selecting the right quartz and meticulously crafting each detail to ensure a seamless transition of colors through multiple layers. The light prism, especially, required precise calculations to balance aesthetic appeal and structural integrity while suspended.
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Tia Thuy Nguyen (left) and distinguished guests in the quartz room. Photo courtesy of the artist. |
After more than 15,000 hours of dedicated work, the masterpiece was completed. Drops of the Sun highlights Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s extraordinary talent for capturing light and her advanced techniques in arrangement and stone setting. The installation, illuminated by natural light through a light frame on the ceiling, transforms throughout the day and with changing weather conditions. Thus, the experience of the quartz clouds’ beauty becomes a deeply personal journey for each viewer.
“I am excited to hear the rich and varied imaginative stories of those who view my work,” said the artist. “But most importantly, I hope to uplift the concepts of freedom, love, and healing. I believe that each time someone immerses themselves in the natural energy of the stone paintings in the room, they will receive more than what they seek. Standing in that space offers a unique perspective on life—it could be a cloud, the sky, or even the universe.”