VietNamNet Bridge – The exhibition titled "Hanoi fossil" showcases sculptures of the capital's heritages, including the century-old Long Bien Bridge.

"Village Gate" by Vuong Van Thao.

Pursuing the “fossil” topic in the past 10 years, Vuong Van Thao has created many valuable sculptural works. The “Hanoi Fossil” exhibition introduces some of his outstanding works from 2006 to the present.

Thao’s works are made in the same way: making models, then pouring transparent composite over to make them look like blocks of fossils. Thao calls them "living fossils."

The most monumental works in this exhibition is the "living fossil" of 36 old houses, sized 230 x 10cm. The work is divided into 36 cells; each cell is an old house with its own characteristics. This work was completed in 2008.

Also being completed in 2008, the work “Village Gate” represents village gates in Hanoi. In 2011, Thaointroduced "fossil" of village gates, which were made exactly as the remaining ancient village gates left in Hanoi today, in an exhibition named “Villages in the city”.

Electricity poles in Thao’s “fossils” also represent electric poles in Hanoi. The author creates a "fossil" electric pole with crisscrossed wires, loudspeakers and street name plates on it.

There are three versions of the Long Bien bridge "fossil" on display at the exhibition.

The exhibition also showcases typical architectural works of Hanoi, including the Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) in the Sword Lake and the Hanoi Cathedral.

Thao also introduces his latest works, including French-styled houses and Teu, a typical character in Vietnam’s water puppetry art.

Thao graduated from the Hanoi Fine Arts University in 1995. He was awarded numerous awards including the Prize of the Hanoi Fine Arts, the Vietnam - Sweden Cultural Foundation Award and Bui Xuan Phai - For the Love of Hanoi Award.

His sculptures are permanently placed in the "Asian Art Spotlight" in China. Some of his "living fossil" works are collected by the SAM Singapore Museum and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

The “Hanoi Fossil” exhibition is held at Casa Italia, 18 Le Phung Hieu from March 11 to 22.

T. Van