The art tour titled “Turning Waste into Art: Urban Environmental Solutions in Hanoi Through a Creative Lens” took place on September 30 at Phuc Tan Forest Park, located at the base of Hanoi’s iconic Long Bien Bridge.

International ambassadors to Vietnam visited Phuc Tan Forest Park. Photo: Goethe-Institut Ha Noi

It is part of “Community Garden”, a joint initiative between Goethe-Institut Hanoi, Institut Français de Hanoi, and Think Playgrounds for sustainable development of public spaces and the urban landscape of Hanoi through creative uses of recycling and public art. The project is supported by the Franco-German Cultural Fund 2024 and will be implemented until November 2024.

The event drew the participation of Margarete Barth, German Ambassador to Vietnam, and Olivier Brochet, French Ambassador to Vietnam, international and Vietnam artist as well as residents from Phuc Tan Ward, Hoan Kiem District.

The mosaic painting by Vietnamese artist Pham Minh Duc at the art installation.

The public art installation along the banks of the Red River features a dining table setup, comic sketches, and creative works made from recycled glass bottles. Berlin-based artists Jöran Mandik and Eliza Chojnacka contributed to the landscape design, constructing tables from reclaimed wood.

Meanwhile, French comic artists Maxime Péroz and Clément Baloup illustrated stories of beautification and restoration in the area following Typhoon Yagi.

On the Vietnamese side, artist Pham Minh Duc enhanced the non-profit project with mosaic paintings crafted from colored bottles, while Tran Luong served as a project consultant.

Her Excellency Helga Margarete Barth, the German Ambassador to Vietnam, highlighted the significance of this collaborative effort in promoting environmental protection in the country.

Recycled kitchen utensils made by Minh Duc.

“Recycled waste is part of our lives and should be seen as a valuable resource. Recycling and reusing materials are essential initiatives to raise environmental awareness in the community,” she said.

“We must work together to preserve natural resources and protect the environment for future generations,” she added.

Artist Pham Minh Duc showcased artworks and kitchen utensils made from recycled colored glass bottles, including three large-scale chicken mosaic paintings on display. “I collect colorful glass containers, such as German beer and Japanese wine bottles, and use heat to reshape them into items like spoons, plates, cups, and mosaic paintings,” he shared with The Hanoi Times. “I’ve asked restaurants in the Old Quarter to keep their used bottles, and give them to me for recycling later.” 

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

French comic artists introduce their paintings.

German artists help build tables from reclaimed wood.

A talk was held during the art tour.

Participants at the event engage in a discussion about a piece of artwork.

The mosaic artwork created by artist Pham Minh Duc.