Final-rounded " Awaken Space"

This happened last week, but I've been too busy to post anything here. I received an e-mail from the British Council congratulating me choosen to be one of the 33 finalists. They also implied that they had already listed the prizes but still kept secret and that meant I might be the one. lol.

Though still keeping a small piece of hope, I started to pay no more attention to their " Awakened Space", this English title came to me eventually for the first time when attending the seminar, with a buffet, about public art in urban space held by the British Council and The Thao & Van Hoa newspaper.

So exciting I was on seeing my " Typo for the streets" printed and hung on the wall among about 20 other works. The wall looked like a gallery with crowd starred at artwork, which were understood or totally mis-understood at all. Wanna know what I thought? I really appreciated the 1st prize but surprised and curled my lips for the others. I feel this competion didn't look for brand-new idea; they were looking for people to fulfil. However, "Awakened space" did "wake" people's mind up. Numbers and atttitude of competitors show how much attention society pay for urban issues, especially urban space using.

The seminar was very exciting. Groups of old artists, Archaeologists (OMG !) and even... poets( OMG OMG again !) questioned critically. Young artists and students folding arms, smile and listened. Some people came to show off but they seemed to fail. Others, like me, came to watch and listen.Actually, it was very nice how the guests, a group of Vietnames fine-artist, British public artist, Vietnamese urban expert and lecturer of HCMC University of Architecture and Mr.Hoa- director of HCMC Institute of Urban Planning and Developing , a of the seminar answered all questions.

So short but that's all I should report. There are still some competition out there but I'm not sure I have time to join. Gotta get down to earth, I've got some projects to finish, without which I dont know how to make my both ends meet in recession. I will post them soon in this blog. By the way, this morning, on my way to work, I think my blogspot content should be changed a little from " urban design" to " urban life". It's not only " back to first subject" but aloso a harder and larger theme to write.

Next possible subject: " Saigonese are going crazy ?"

Related links:

VOVNEWS - "Prize winners “awaken” Long Bien Bridge"
British Council - " Awakened Spaces competition and Panel Discussion on ‘The Role of Arts in Urban Public Spaces’ in Hanoi and HCMC on 27 & 29 March 2009 "
Ashui.com - " Awakened Space prize"