Gathering as for this one and only commonality from totally separated aspects of life, each of them has a different background story. For the artist in particular, beside the little-girl image which has accompanied him ever since, it is also an inspiring figure who dare leave his own old self behind to begin a whole new journey forward, finding another style as well as material to satisfy the desire of continuously creating and innovating. Together, they have push that particular story over the limitations of art itself with the seemingly prosaic, but in fact still obscure, "Recycling" concept. And the material chosen is nothing but "garbage": empty bottles, used plastic bag and yogurt cups, etc. "Not many people really think about recycling; or think of it correctly," say the guys. In their opinion, in addition to the matter of art, the applicability of the "final outcome" also has to be considered. Not only the drawings, but the viewers should also have the opportunity to see the message in the most direct way - applicable and also decorative products which can be applied to the everyday life.

"There's no need for big fancy cliche," our goal is to tell the environment story in the most "daily" language, that everything, however meaningless, such as these trash right here, could somehow become useful. Beside the original definition, the term "recycling" here also express a unique perspective about artistry: to break down the ... to the most fundamental component, from which true art may arise. So what exactly do these pieces of art has to say? Frankly, I have absolutely no idea. The only things they evoke in me are my own experiences and emotions. However, shouldn't THAT be the truest purpose of art ? Because if wanting to show others the stories of their life, they could have easily written a formal note just as what students do in literature classes. It's not about anyone in particular, not even the author himself. In my opinion, the real "art" lies right in the heart of each and every viewer. And in my version, this story is about a "weird" art-studio filled with hundreds of bottle as well as all kinds of machinery. Hanging all over the place are "abnormal" drawings whose making process doesn't require much use of painting brush next to a one-of-a-kind artist. Walking around minding their own business is a group of man whose presents most frequently received from each other are bags full of plastic litter. They have enough tools in hand to seek a much more abundant life but rather decide to walk a different path of passion and dedication, just to receive skeptical glances together with indifferent comments as, "I just cannot get what you guys are doing!"

Now, how to answer that? In my story, these men are devoting themselves to looking for the applicability of their "products" They are working on all kinds of different jobs, whose earning go straight to serve this "unprofitable" passion instead of saving accounts. And they are gathering trash, figuratively, of course, as one once said, "What's the point of delivering such a message when you go buy some trash-like stuffs and then throw them away after-use?" With direct actions, they are sacrificing their own "little story" to nurture something much greater. Besides, it's also the story of a many-time-rewritten article which could not reach to the truth until one day its author literally "lend his main characters a hand". There it is! Why did I have to go that far to look for something that near! There gone these flowery but empty expression, and only the quintessence are to be kept. And lies at the deepest core a glittering fire of hope for a brighter future, of protecting the environment, and of a world belongs to no one but all, lighted up by each and every actions, even smallest - no different than what these men, myself, or many other young persons of the new generations are doing each day. "There, right there, that's where lies the future, the children. Why should anyone seek any further?"

Suddenly, flashing through my mind the image of an ethnic minority little girl at the age of around 5. She was carrying a half­full bamboo basket with a background of evergreen mountainous forest covered in white of foggy clouds. Her cheeks were glowing red from the highland's cold weather. Slowly walking beside the little girl was a white hair tall old buffalo. Finding the just correct common point, all these chaotic flows of emotion inside my head combine into one.

Right! That's it! C'est la vie! C'est Co-la!

- Nguyễn Nguyên Khôi -