Exhibition “Waste: Livelihood and Future”: A new perspective on the value of waste

From July 2 to August 10, the exhibition “Waste: Livelihood and Future” took place at the French Institute in Hanoi. The exhibition offered a creative space where discarded items were reborn as artworks, stimulating dialogue about the role of waste in urban life and the circular economy.

 

Exhibition “Waste: Livelihood and Future.” Photo: Organizers.

The exhibition “Waste: Livelihood and Future” is part of the activities celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of International Training and Cooperation (IITC) – Hanoi Architectural University, and also marks a Vietnam-France cultural cooperation milestone with the French Institute in Hanoi. The artworks were shaped by the keen mindset and creativity of students from the Bachelor of Architecture Joint Training Program (DEEA) at IITC-HAU. The majority of the exhibited works are the creative result of Vietnamese-French students from class 05DEEA in the Plastic and Visual Arts course, under the guidance of Dr. Lê Thanh.

Inspired by the technique of rubber block printing and the traditional material of Dó paper, the displayed artworks not only recreate the beauty of Vietnamese craft materials but also open up a new perspective on the waste collection workers—the silent force playing a vital role in the urban cycle. Through art, the exhibition emphasizes the connection between waste, livelihoods, and the sustainable development of the community.

The exhibition was built upon the artistic ideas of Dr. Arch. Nguyễn Thái Huyền and Dr. Lê Thanh, with the design and execution participation of Dr. Nguyễn Tiến Tâm, Bùi Vinh Quốc, Nguyễn Hồng Anh, Trần Khánh Trân, and Nguyễn Hoàng Thái Long.

The exhibition “Waste: Livelihood and Future” is a testament to the growing interest of the younger generation in the Architecture sector regarding social and environmental issues, while also affirming the role of artistic creativity in promoting community awareness.