Released on 2 June 2006

‘Two dragons playing with the lotus’ was awoken on the Huong River, Hue City, on Thursday 1 June, two days ahead of the opening ceremony for Festival Hue 2006.

 

The art installation of two giant golden dragons and a large floating lotus flower was officially presented to the public by Ong Nguyen Xuan Hoa, the festival director. Mr Hoa said, “The images of pure lotus and posturing dragons have existed as a traditional symbol that have a strong attachment to Hue people, like the image of the beautiful river running across Hue City everyday. In this Festival Hue 2006, the images have been awoken through the installation artwork of two dragons playing with the lotus in Huong River. I would like to thank the artists Philip Nizette, Jennifer Jones, Nguyen Thanh Tung-Ngo and Thi Lan Huong for their contribution in making Festival Hue 2006 more lively.”

The artists, two from Australia, and two from Hue, are very pleased with the results of three months hard work, utilising the skills of many art students and businesses in Hue. “It is wonderful to see the happiness in the faces of children and adults when they see the artworks”, said the artists. “We thought this project was very meaningful and appropriate for Hue for this year’s festival, with the theme ‘700 years of Hue cultural heritage with integration and development.”

Philip and Jennifer said, “we think this experience has provided a very valuable opportunity for cultural exchange. We have brought our project management skills and experience in making large public art works, as well as the courage to develop such a big idea. Our Vietnamese partners have shown us attention to detail and artistry, an understanding of important cultural symbols, and a great deal of cooperation and teamwork. Vietnam has a very rich culture, we are interested to see the strong response to these sculptures. Everyone has a story to tell about the dragons and the lotus. We believe everyone who has worked on the project is very proud of their achievement.”

“We are very grateful to Festival Hue Organising Committee for inviting us and the Foreign Affairs Department in Hue for providing their skilled interpreter Nguyen Thi Hong Ly, to the Australian Embassy for their encouragement and support, and also to Unilever Vietnam for believing in the project and helping make it happen through their sponsorship. We are now sure that any future projects we do in this wonderful country will also be a success.”

“After the Festival, we will find a permanent home for the artworks. They will look wonderful in a large garden or pond. We are happy to discuss the idea with interested people.”

The Hue Festival runs from June 3 – 11. Luong Long Von Hoa seen can be seen most closely from the Australian corner of the festival at Thuong Bac Park on the north bank of Huong river.

Artist’s Contact details:

Philip Nizette ph 0986789948,

Jennifer Jones ph 0985 958735

Nguyen Thanh Tung ph 0905584032