Thao’s Living Fossils is designed to draw attention to the apparent contradiction of new and old Hanoi. It features small models of houses cast in blocks of plexiglass, almost as if they were encased in amber.

The artist said he hopes to make Hanoians think about the city, which celebrates its millennium in 2010.

The work was on display at the Viet Art Centre and L’Espace, the French Cultural Centre in Hanoi.

This year marks the first time a Vietnamese artist has taken part in the competition. Thao is competing with 33 other artists, three of whom are also Vietnamese.

Representing Vietnam are Hoang Duong Cam, Nguyen Quang Huy and Vuong Van Thao. Cam’s work is entitled Untitled, Attack-Sculpture-Protect and Huy’s work is entitled Indochina Sisters #29.

The artworks were nominated by Natalia Kraevskaia, independent curator, art critic and director of Salon Natasha-a premier art gallery in Hanoi. The APB Foundation Signature Art Prize celebrates the partnership announced last October between the Singapore Art Museum and the APB Foundation to develop and promote contemporary art.

The result is a collection of contemporary art with diverse themes and mediums.

The 10 finalists are in the running for five awards, three juror’s choice awards worth US$10,000, a people’s choice award of US$10,000 and the grand prize of US$45,000.

The Singapore Art Museum will display the 10 finalists’ works from October to November.