Shining DESPAIR
Thu Huong Nguyen
Vietnam
Neckpiece “Cicada in The Changing Age”, 2024
Powder-coated mild steel, oxidised sterling silver, 234x332x13mm when activated
Riveting, blackening and powder-coating
Photo : James Field
Cicada in The Changing Age is my venture into embracing the rapid rise of technology in the development age of Vietnam. Growing up in a Buddhist family, I was raised to embrace the tradition and the culture of my home country, and in turn, that culture shaped who I am today. I remember hearing the cicada sound from all over the city during the summer and fond memories of my childhood. Cicada played a vital role in many Vietnamese people’s childhoods. That is why I felt a sense of despair when observing my beloved city move so rapidly into the 21st century. I saw my city losing the nature it used to possess, accompanied by a decrease in the cicada population in the capital.
The cicada does not sing anymore, or not like they used to.
Cicada in the Changing Age is my journey into accepting the present, but it also serves as a bittersweet review of the past. In this case, the cicada merges with the machine to become a new entity. Once unfurled, the mechanic helps activate the necklace function and reveals the floor pattern hidden within, which is inspired by the floor tiles from my childhood home.