Hanoi Ceramic Mural

Depicting the Beauty of Hanoi's History and Modernity

In April 2018, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy won the Silver ADesign award for the Hanoi ceramic mosaic mirror house. Inspired by the positive reception of her previous works of art in the city, Thu Thuy decided to continue developing public art that could be appreciated by millions of people each year at the Noi Bai International Airport. The large plain walls in the terminal provided the ideal location. Drawing on Vietnam's long tradition of ceramic making, Thu Thuy created a large-scale ceramic mosaic mural that showcases the beauty of historical images of the capital city of Hanoi.

After successfully creating the Twin Lotus murals on the facades of the Noi Bai International Airport, Thu Thuy and the New Hanoi Arts company proposed the creation of a mosaic mural inside Terminal 2. The mural, titled "Hanoi Past and Present," features well-known architectural landmarks and the natural beauty of the city. Measuring 27m wide and 3.4m high, the mural is composed of over 250,000 tiles, each measuring 2cm x 2cm.

To bring the mural to life, thousands of mosaic tiles were created using a wide variety of glazes. The sketch was then enlarged onto heavy paper, and the mosaic tiles were affixed with glue and covered with transparent tape. Once all the tiles were in place, the mural was cut into pieces and numbered. The mosaic sections were then transported to the airport, where they were glued to the wall, surfaces cleaned, and additional tiles and color added as necessary.

The ceramic mosaic mural "Hanoi Past and Present" is located on the wall of the second floor of Terminal 2 at Noi Bai International Airport. Spanning 92m2, the mural greets all international arrivals as they enter along the walkway. It is a visual experience that showcases the 1000-year journey of Hanoi. With its unique use of mosaic pieces as a paint palette, the mural creates a powerful unified impression of Hanoi's history and modern development.

The project was initiated in December 2018 and completed in April 2019. The mosaic mural serves as a gateway to the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam for the more than 18 million international visitors that pass through Noi Bai airport each year.

Lead designer Nguyen Thu Thuy, along with the designer team from New Hanoi Arts Company, including Nguyen Hoang Tung, Nguyen Tung Ngoc, and Bui Viet Doan, overcame the challenge of meeting the high standards set by the selection committee at Noi Bai International Airport. Their detailed proposals and impressive sketches persuaded NIA to accept their ideas and designs. Working during the night was also a challenge, but necessary to minimize inconvenience to travelers. The collaboration of many artists required refined skills to ensure a unified work of art.

The Hanoi Ceramic Mural, with its depiction of Hanoi's past and present, is a testament to the creativity and talent of Nguyen Thu Thuy and her team. It is a visual masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression on all who encounter it at Noi Bai International Airport.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy
Image Credits: Image #01 : Photographer Tran Thanh Ha Image #02 : Photographer Tran Thanh Ha Image #03 : Photographer Tran Thanh Ha Image #04 : Photographer Tran Thanh Ha Image #05 : Photographer Tran Thanh Ha
Project Team Members: Lead designer Nguyen Thu Thuy and the designer team from New Hanoi Arts Company: Nguyen Hoang Tung, Nguyen Tung Ngoc and Bui Viet Doan
Project Name: Hanoi Ceramic
Project Client: Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy


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