In Latin, Spatium means “space”, which is quite similar to the sculptor's idea - when wanting to create a spatial scene for the work, the work itself is also a space.
The work is structured with two main, separate parts: a large metal block hanging above and a metal plate placed on the floor. The hanging block is like a cube, while the metal plate on the floor is rectangular. The main material that makes up the work is corten steel plates (scenery steel, weather-resistant) with a characteristic brown color.
The sculptor connects the two parts by bending open a part of the welded steel plate. We can imagine it as an open box lid and a page being turned. The “open” state makes the work feel dynamic while they are still. But if we apply a force to rotate the metal block above, it seems that the static and dynamic are reversed. The metal block that occupies most of the space is no longer an “obstruction” to the view, while the rectangular metal plate below becomes a fairly solid path to the top.
The difficulty in bringing metal into art is to make the work “soften” and “lighten”, because metal is usually a material that feels relatively heavy, hard and cold. In this exhibition, Luong Van Viet gradually moves towards “lightening” and “softening”. He said that entering the space to see the work is one part, and another part is being able to make the viewer feel like they are entering the work.
This means that the sculptor treats the work as a space. The viewer explores it by guessing, that the shape might be a ship, or another planet. Then he approaches, walks around, or looks up from the folds. The work does not actually invite the viewer to enter and explore the inside of the shape, but with its open box structure and large size, it opens up imaginative interactions, including fear and delight.
It is no coincidence that the sculptor painted the entire room white: from the ceiling, walls, floor, to the supports (pillars, chains), then "filled it" with only one work, making it stand out and attractive. He considers the management of the space important in order to come up with the idea of a suitable work, avoiding giving the viewer the feeling of "just a work being displayed".
The white paint also makes the room space appear larger, even though its volume is limited. The white space envelops and contains the brown object space (the work) which further increases the contrast, a large but light box is containing a smaller but heavier box inside. Obviously the viewer cannot enter the small box, but moving around the exhibition room is similar to moving around in the large box. When we leave, their space seems unchanged.
Exhibition halls with successive exhibitions attract viewers but do not keep anyone there, this is normal, maybe that is why not many people pay attention. “Spatium” with a single work in a white space makes us wonder, how many spaces do we also come and go without leaving a trace? How many spaces do our presence make them more alive, more beautiful? How many spaces have we destroyed?...
Perhaps both the question and the answer are beyond the author’s mind when creating his work, from the beginning to the end. But the process of working in the same room can help viewers realize the role of humans in each living space, whether the smallest or the largest. We do not only “fill” or “fill” a specific space, but we also have the ability to open up and beautify those spaces, so that life becomes beautiful and meaningful.
Sculptor Luong Van Viet was born in 1977, graduated from the Faculty of Sculpture, Hanoi University of Fine Arts (now Vietnam University of Fine Arts). Opened the workshop "Spatium" from December 20, 2024 - January 2, 2025, exhibited from January 5 - 19, at Manzi Exhibition Space, No. 2 Ngo Hang Bun, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
