Monday morning witnessed the final preparations by technical and construction staff for the art event to be held from Nov. 17 to Dec. 31.
The artistic vision, inspired by Asian concepts and brought to life by architect Cao The Anh, artist Nguyen Duc Phuong and their colleagues, will unfold through sound and light.
The sounds will mimic those of water in nature, while the light arrangement will enhance the visual appeal of artifacts recycled from urban waste.
The lighting setup is almost finished. Inside, a curved path made from recycled wood has been placed within the tower. Phuong said the path is not screwed down and is easily movable to preserve the structural integrity of Hang Dau.
As groups of 20-30 visitors are expected, the design team has prioritized a serene environment for an immersive artistic experience.
Phuong said his initial impression is of a sacred water-themed space and navigating around the tower is like traversing a maze.
Crucial to creating a dynamic sound system are water pots. Visitors will encounter various water sounds that mimic seas, rivers, springs, underground sources, and rainfall.
Dating back to the 19th century, the pots, once used to diffuse rainwater, now serve to amplify natural water sounds. Phuong explained that each pot generates a distinct sound achieved by pumping water into them and adjusting the water frequency and speed.
Image of a water pipe within the booth. Visitors are restricted to the first floor and cannot go to the upper levels.
There used to be an iron ladder to the top, but it no longer exists.
The artistic lighting arrangements, made using vibrant recycled nylon products, emphasize the critical issue of urban water resources.
Phuong said they lack definite shapes and are created based on circles, one of the fundamental geometric shapes, squares and triangles, and viewers may interpret them differently. Some might see lotus leaves while others could envision water droplets.
A sign outside indicates the tower's construction year and capacity in Vietnamese and French.
Built in 1894 it stands in a square formed by Hang Than, Hang Luoc, Hang Giay, Hang Dau, Quan Thanh and Phan Dinh Phung Streets.
Viet Cuong, a Hanoi researcher and expert in construction economic management, said Hang Dau Booth was a pioneering work that transformed Hanoi's urban landscape.
The cylindrical tower, some 25 meters high and with a pointed roof, has a capacity of 1,250 cubic meters.
Water is brought from the Yen Phu Water Plant and delivered to a tank on top of the tower. From here it is delivered to the city center through pipes.
Constructed from stone salvaged from the destruction of the Hanoi Citadel, the tower is an architectural marvel.
The art exhibition is part of the 2023 Hanoi Creative Design Festival organized by the city and the Vietnamese Association of Architects. Other historical sites like the Gia Lam Train Factory, Hanoi Railway Station, Long Bien Railway Station, and Long Bien Bridge will also host art events during the festival.
