The Great Turtle Rescue: An Artistic Odyssey

The Phieu exhibition, or Drifting, is an captivating presentation of 1001 handcrafted ceramic sea turtles, created by the talented artist Cao Thanh Tha. This unique display, sponsored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), serves as a tribute to these majestic creatures and their journey through the vast oceans.

Marking World Sea Turtle Day on June 16th, the exhibition immerses visitors in six artistic installations. Each installation depicts a different stage of a sea turtle’s life, from their birth and early days drifting with the currents, to their eventual return to their birthplace. The installations, including “Beautiful Ocean – Real Space – Future”, “Ocean Current”, and “Undercurrent”, among others, offer a captivating and informative experience.

IUCN has been actively involved in protecting sea turtles since 2014 through volunteer programs in Con Dao National Parks, later expanding to other locations like Nui Chua National Park and Hon Cau Marine Reserve. Their efforts, now a decade strong, have been instrumental in conservation and rescue work, especially during the critical period when sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Artist Cao Thanh Tha, an installation artist with a passion for community art projects, participated in the IUCN Volunteer Program in 2018. This experience inspired them to create Phieu, an exhibition that not only showcases their artistic talent but also raises awareness about sea turtle conservation and the protection of the marine environment and biodiversity for sustainable development.

Tha explains the significance of the number of turtles in the exhibition, stating that according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, only 1 in 1,000 baby turtles survive to adulthood. By creating 1,000 young turtles and a single female turtle, Tha aims to emphasize the fragility of their existence and the need for collective action. Tha further utilizes eco-friendly ceramic materials to create each turtle with its own unique shape and color, symbolizing the distinctiveness of each individual turtle and, by extension, each person in society.

Bui Thi Thu Hien, Marine and Coastal Programme Coordinator of IUCN in Vietnam, expresses her hope that through exhibitions like Phieu, the public will gain knowledge about sea turtles and understand the importance of conserving the marine environment and maintaining biodiversity. She emphasizes the need to address environmental illiteracy and encourages visitors to engage with the exhibition’s interactive elements, including books, painting, and clay sculpting.

Phieu is a landmark exhibition, being the first of its kind in Vietnam with a record-breaking number of ceramic sea turtles on display. It invites visitors to explore the world of sea turtles, appreciate their beauty, and recognize the urgency of conservation efforts. The exhibition will remain open until June 19th, offering a unique and thought-provoking experience to all who attend.

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The Fragile Beauty of Ceramic Sea Turtles: A Call to Arms for Ocean Conservation

The installation art exhibit, featuring 1,001 unique ceramic turtles, serves as a powerful and creative plea for collaboration in conserving our marine environment and its biodiversity. Each turtle, with its own distinct character, symbolizes the urgent need to unite and protect our oceans and the diverse life they sustain. This artistic display aims to inspire and motivate viewers to take action, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in preserving the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems.

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