On the afternoon of September 30, at Phuc Tan Forest Park, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, the art tour “How to turn waste into art: Urban environment solutions of Hanoi through the lens of art” took place.

Community Garden is a joint initiative between Goethe-Institut Hanoi, French Institute in Hanoi and Think Playgrounds for sustainable development of public spaces and urban landscape of Hanoi through creative uses of recycling and public art.

Children play at Phuc Tan Forest Park.

The event had the participation of German Ambassador Helga Margarete Barth, French Ambassador Olivier Brochet, Director of Goethe-Institut Hanoi Oliver Brandt and Director of the French Institute in Hanoi Franck Bolgiani.

Accordingly, visitors to the art show visited Phuc Tan Forest Park, enjoyed unique art products recycled from glass such as cups, spoons, food trays, table setting art from leftover wood, comic sketches, from artists and experts from Germany, France and Vietnam, and local people.

During the art tour, young artists also shared stories about using art to sketch images of areas that were once neglected and littered with waste in Hanoi, the rhythm of human life, the development of the capital; as well as perspectives on the use of materials outside the usual framework to raise awareness of local environmental issues.

Artists from Germany, France and Vietnam immersed in the Red River Bank area – a formerly trashed wasteland in the heart of Hanoi, and use their own art practices to reflect on the ecological narratives of the booming metropolis, as well as the people living on the brink of it.

Through the above project, the organizer and artists hope to contribute to beautifying the image of the Red River delta, as well as raising awareness of using recycled works to avoid littering and protect the environment.

From temporary installations, participative exchange formats and comic activities, the practices and artistic approaches varied, but shared one common theme: out of the white cube, into the greenery and neighborhood, utilizing unconventional material and participation of local communities in making art.

This project is supported by the Franco-German Cultural Fund 2024 and will be implemented from September to November 2024.

Ngo Minh

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