Cao Xà Lá

In her work "Cao Xà Lá" (Rubber and Soap), artist Nguyen Phuong Linh has created a minimalist yet profound composition. Three cubes are arranged side-by-side, each possessing a distinct nuance and feel: Memory is transformed into material expression: comprising three large cubes – one made of rubber, one of soap, and one of tobacco – each weighing hundreds of kilograms and placed on an iron base. Dense and minimalist, they act as "time machines," evoking the industrial atmosphere of Nguyen Trai Street in Hanoi two decades ago. Here, three factories – rubber, soap, and tobacco – representing the leaps forward in Vietnam's economy during and after the war – once stood together. The pungent smell of rubber, the sharp sweetness of soap, the warm bitterness of tobacco – as a student, Phuong Linh passed by this distinctive mixture of scents every day. It is deeply ingrained in her consciousness and that of many others, unconsciously creating a collective memory of Hanoi's glorious past – representing the turbulent transition in the capital's post-war industrialization. The Cao Xà Lá (Cao Xà Lá) is on permanent display at EMASI Van Phuc School, Ho Chi Minh City. Through the contrast between industrial form and organic essence, the artist invites viewers to reflect on the life cycle, refinement, and traditional cultural heritage, where the "cao," "xà," and "lá" (grass), "lá," and "lá" (leaf) embody enduring values.