Supported by the British Council, 'MOTHER GODDESS OF THE THREE REALMS: CROSS-ENCOUNTERS, JOINING THREADS' is a special immersive exhibition celebrating UK and Viet Nam cross-cultural design and shared heritage staged at Centre 151 for London Design Festival, open from 16 - 24 September 2023.
An immersive exhibition titled Mother Goddess of the Three Realms takes centre stage at Centre 151 during London Design Festival from the 16th - 24th September to celebrate Viet Nam-UK heritage and cross-cultural skills. Led by Wax Atelier (London), in collaboration with the Blue H’mong craftswomen of Pa Co village (Mai Chau), and Kilomet 109 (Hanoi), the exhibition explores the theme of design and sustainability through the lens of the spiritual Mother Goddess.
Curated by Company, Place and supported by the British Council, the exhibition offers a dynamic exploration of the rich tapestry of shared Viet Nam-UK craft heritage and knowledge as part of the British Council’s UK/Viet Nam Season 23. Staged at Centre 151 in Hackney, an independent charity and cultural centre supporting the Vietnamese, Laos and Cambodian communities in London, the installation takes shape through the lens of the Mother Goddess - an ancient Vietnamese tradition of worship of female deities and mother spirits seen as protectors of nature.
Inviting visitors to embark on a ‘journey in reverse’ - the exhibition presents the physicality and theatre of turning plant into product, using rope as the medium and metaphor to demonstrate how cross-cultural ideas and skills from a wider group of designers, architects and craftspeople are intimately intertwined. The installation at Centre 151’s is set across three spaces, the garden, tea house and theatre, which represent metaphorical realms; forest, water and heaven.
The space will be open from 16th - 24th September as part of Shoreditch Design Triangle during the London Design Festival. A dedicated materials and maker space will play host to a dynamic programme of interactive events throughout the festival and guests will be encouraged to take tea in the garden and stay for Centre 151 ‘s VLC Pho Club on Wednesday and Saturday lunchtimes. Please visit waxatelier.com for full event listings and bookings and London Design Festival's website here for opening times.