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Tuan Andrew Nguyen Turns Vietnam War Artillery Shells into Healing Mobiles at Esther Schipper Berlin

exhibition · 2026-09-27

Tuan Andrew Nguyen, originally from Saigon, is set to unveil his inaugural solo exhibition, titled Fire Sermon, at Esther Schipper in Berlin, running from 10 September to 24 October 2026. This exhibition showcases five mobiles crafted from repurposed artillery shells sourced from Vietnam, turning remnants of war into auditory devices. Drawing inspiration from Alexander Calder's kinetic art, these works confront the audience with their historical context. Nguyen's artistic journey is linked to his 2022 film, The Unburied Sounds of a Troubled Horizon, which tells the story of a girl who transforms bomb remnants into moving sculptures. The millions of tonnes of munitions left in Vietnam continue to impact the landscape. Through his art, Nguyen seeks to convert destruction into healing. The exhibition's title alludes to a Buddha sutra concerning sensory experience and liberation. Installation views are provided by Andrea Rossetti. Last updated on 13 October 2026.

Key facts

  • Tuan Andrew Nguyen's first solo exhibition with Esther Schipper in Berlin is titled Fire Sermon.
  • The exhibition runs from 10 September to 24 October 2026.
  • Five new mobiles made from artillery shells salvaged in Vietnam are on view.
  • The works are inspired by Alexander Calder's kinetic sculpture and his anti-war stance.
  • In 1977, Calder turned down the US Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • The mobiles originate from Nguyen's 2022 film The Unburied Sounds of a Troubled Horizon.
  • The shell casings act as bells tuned to healing frequencies.
  • Millions of tonnes of munitions were dropped on Vietnam, much still in the ground.
  • The exhibition title references a Buddhist sutra describing sensory experience as burning.
  • Installation photographs are by Andrea Rossetti.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Esther Schipper
  • Esther Schipper Berlin

Locations

  • Berlin
  • Germany
  • Saigon
  • Vietnam
  • United States

Sources

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