Kyungmi Shin/Shin Gray Studio was selected to create a light artwork for the newly constructed Vietnamese American Social Services Center (VASC) in San Jose, CA. As the first service center of this kind, VASC will service the community with medical, social, and mental health services with bi-lingual services. We worked closely with the architect and the community to create a design that provides an inspiring, harmonious, and healing experience. The project’s installation was completed on January 27, 2023.
The main inspiration for the design at VASC were various rich landscapes of Vietnam including the Ha Long Bay (ocean and islands), Terraced Rice Fields of Bac Son Valley, Mu Cang Chai and North Vietnam.
With the help of the County leadership and the team at Art Builds Community, I had an extensive community outreach with the Vietnamese community in San Jose, and as a result of the community feedback from the December 2020 Community presentation, we added architecture from the three regions of Vietnam. Ha Noi..One Pillar Pagoda is from the North Vietnam. Hue, The Thiên Mụ Pagoda is from the middle region, and from Saigon, a temple, a tribute to one favorite southern, local hero—Lê Văn Duyệt is added.
We also added different traditional outfits from all three regions. Ao dai & Ao Tu Than on the bicycle & Ao ba ba on the figure with the carrying pole. A direction of movement from North to South represented with direction of the bicycles. The images of women riding bicycles seems to represent the resilience of Vietnamese people and also metaphorically the movements of the Vietnamese diaspora.
The artwork was created for the rooftop as a sculpture with a strong light component. The shape of the artwork will be made with aluminum panels and the light component will be created with special LED that can be programmed to create movements with changing colors inspired by Vietnamese landscapes and monuments.
The artwork sitting atop the VASC (Vietnamese American Services Center) building, on the rooftop, with a strong sculptural presence during the day and a beautiful light sculptural presence dusk to dawn, serves as an inspirational beacon for the community.