This is the first time that Hanoi has brought contemporary art to the public. Although not completed, the project is highly appreciated by the people for both its artistry and its appeal to the public, especially its ability to recall the memories of the old Hanoi.
The mural of a Hanoian street vendor on bridge arch No. 59 is about to be finished (Photo by Thanh Dat/Vietnam News Agency)
The “Murals on Phung Hung Street” project deployed on the eastern arches of Phung Hung Street, section from Phung Hung – Le Van Linh T-junction to Hang Cot, is within the first phase of the plan for creation of an artistic space on bridge arches on Phung Hung Street set out in a policy of Hanoi City.
Phase 2 contains the restoration of the arches from Phung Hung Street to Hang Cot Street in the form of opening them to create cultural spaces, and phase 3 is for the restoration of the arches from Cua Dong Street to Le Van Linh Street.
With a length of nearly 200 meters, the mural street of Phung Hung with 19 murals is currently decorated by Korean and Vietnamese artists.
The project will not only help preserve the heritages and beautify the urban space, but also make the heritages livelier and bring them closer to the people. Currently, seven murals by the Korean artists have been completed, while eleven ones by the Vietnamese artists and one by artists of both countries are still in progress.
Most of the finished murals depict the distinct features of Hanoi, evoking a train of emotions in both the artists and the people. They may portray a gentle autumn, the antique Long Bien Bridge, the trams, or Hanoi’s old quarters with the pedicabs, and so on.
Among the works of art by the Korean artists, one is an image of Long Bien Bridge made up from multiple strips of wire, stunning everyone.
As an interest in the mural street of Phung Hung, architect Tran Huy Anh expresses that the project is the test of a new and bold idea of Hanoi that aims to bring art into life. With the theme of reciting the memories of Hanoi, the project confirms that Hanoi is a city of openness and acceptance of the new and the modern based on the inheritance of traditional values.
It is noteworthy that the areas under the bridge arches of Phung Hung Street were once parking lots and waste collection sites, so turning these areas into public art spaces is very significant in creating a cultural environment for people. It is even more special when the mural street is in harmony with Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a place well known for its long-standing cultural and historical values.
Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District, says that once finished, the mural street of Phung Hung will be governed by a separate set of management regulations. Hoan Kiem District has assigned the task of managing the street to the local authorities. Although the management is more or less difficult as this is the first art space in Hanoi, it is clear that the project is making the city seem “brighter”, cleaner, and more organized. In addition to the artistic values, the project also aims at delivering the core value that is to raise the awareness of the community in ensuring urban order and making the urban space more civilized.