(VOVWORLD) -An art installation by artist Cao Thanh Tha, sponsored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is underway in Hanoi. The exhibition’s 1001 hand-made ceramic turtles encourage the conservation of sea turtles and Vietnam's marine biodiversity on the occasion of World Sea Turtle Day on June 16.
 Author Cao Thanh Tha (3rd from left) and participants cut the ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition. (Photo: Thuy Tien) |
Five groups labelled "Beautiful Ocean/Real Space/Future", "Ocean Current", "Undercurrent", "Dawn/Twilight/Night", and "Return" describe the sea turtles' remarkable journey from their birth to days spent drifting along the currents and floating on the open sea to their eventual return to their birthplace.
Visitor Linh Nhu said: “I found this exhibition surprising and interesting. Conveying a message through art helps children better understand how a sea turtle grows and what we can do to protect sea turtles.”
After obtaining a Master of Fine Arts degree, Cao Thanh Tha took part in a project to rescue sea turtles on Con Dao Island in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and got to witness first-hand the fragile life of the sea turtle.
She told VOV: “I was lucky enough to spend 12 days and nights observing sea turtles on the beach of Bảy Cạnh Islet in Con Dao. We waited for them to finish laying their eggs and then brought the eggs to an incubation area to ensure a higher survival rate. The images I saw inspired me to make 1001 ceramic turtles. The normal survival rate of turtles is just 1 out of 1000. Through the efforts of Vietnam and other countries, we hope to improve the sea turtles’ survival rate. I wanted to emphasize the number 1001 so people will understand the odds sea turtles face and will join hands to protect them.”
 The art installation of sea turtles by Cao Thanh Tha (Photo: Thuy Tien) |
Nguyen Thuy Anh, a media officer of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said: “IUCN wants to collaborate with Cao Thanh Tha to educate people about sea turtles and what we can all do to protect them. The exhibition is an effective way to deliver information to people who have never visited the islands where the sea turtles lay their eggs. Visitors will learn what they can do to protect the marine environment, such as reducing plastic waste and single-use plastic.”
 Children read book about sea turtles and the ocean. (Photo: Thuy Tien) |
The exhibition, open through Wednesday at the Exhibition House, 93 Dinh Tien Hoang street, Hanoi, encourages visitors to try their hand at shaping a clay turtle, painting a ceramic item, or painting a picture of the ocean.