Discover new meanings in the empty space across the shores of Victoria Harbour
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) proudly presents the second edition of the ARTS • TECH Exhibition to promote the development of arts tech in Hong Kong. This remarkable exhibition series takes place across three venues including the Sino LuminArt Façade in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Tai Kwun in Central and Showcase at the HKADC’s new premises in Wong Chuk Hang from October 2023 to April 2024, introducing novel arts experiences to the people and visitors of Hong Kong.
(From left) Dr Frankie Yeung, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council and Mr Raistlin Lau, Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism officiate the Opening Ceremony of ARTS·TECH Exhibition 2.0 at Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
To mark this important occasion, an opening ceremony was held at 6:30pm today at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum with Mr Raistlin Lau Chun, Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, Vice Chairman of HKADC as officiating guests. The first thematic exhibition, Fill in the Blanks, will grace the screens of the Sino LuminArt Façade in Tsimshatsui East from 21 October to 12 November, illuminating both sides of Victoria Harbour with mesmerising digital artworks, creating a novel visual spectacle.
(From left) Mr Isaac Leung, Curator of Beyond the Singularity, Ms Orlean Lai, Curator of Make & Believe, Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Dr Frankie Yeung, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Raistlin Lau, Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mrs Vicki Kwok, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr George Tsoi, Principal Assistant Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Ng Tsz-kwan, Artist-curator of Fill in the Blanks, Ms Andrea Leung, Group General Manager (Marketing) of Sino Group officiate the opening ceremony of ARTS·TECH Exhibition 2.0 at Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
“Fill in the Blanks awakens the dormant memories and ignite the imagination of audiences. Through the imaginative spaces crafted by talented artists, audiences embark on a journey to explore the hidden intricacies often overlooked in our bustling lives. By gently ‘filling’ the forgotten gaps, audiences can delve deeper into the tapestry of existence and discover new layers of meaning,” said Ng Tsz-kwan, the Artist- curator of Fill in the Blanks.
Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, Vice Chairman of the HKADC, said, “Hong Kong is a city brimming with creativity and vitality. The integration of arts and technology has become a new trend in the arts development of Hong Kong. The application of technology develops a new platform for artistic pursuits, allowing artists to transcend boundaries and share their insights with audiences further and farther.”
Group Photo of the attending guests, curators and artists at the opening ceremony of the ARTS·TECH Exhibition 2.0.
Fill in the Blanks features four large-scale video works by artists Tap Chan, Ivy Ma, Ng Tsz-kwan and Zheng Bo on the Sino LuminArt Façade in Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre at the harbourfront of Tsimshatsui East. Leveraging the space between the screens and the two shores of Victoria Harbour, artists create imaginative spaces within their works, prompting audiences to reflect on the often- overlooked details of everyday life. Visitors can also explore the artists’ intentions and meanings behind the artwork on the dedicated website, where they can listen to specially crafted stories of Victoria Harbour. These digital spaces offer unique perspectives on the ever-changing past and present of the maritime realm.
(From left three) Mr George Tsoi, Principal Assistant Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mrs Vicki Kwok, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and, and Ms Andrea Leung, Group General Manager (Marketing) of Sino Group enjoy the specially curated audio-visual preview tour of Fill in the Blanks on the opening cruise that sails right in the middle of Victoria Harbour.
The associated events of ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0 are free of charge for public participation on a first- come, first-served basis. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world where arts and technology converge. Please register online: https://www.art-mate.net/doc/69700.
To deepen the connection with the artworks, the exhibition offers public programmes and educational activities. One such experience is the “Resonant Harbour: A Speculative Water Tour” where participants embark on a sonic journey through Hong Kong’s history and culture aboard a ferry. This immersive experience combines visual and auditory elements, curated by artist Lai Sim-fong and interdisciplinary artist Shane Aspegren, providing a multisensory exploration of Victoria Harbour.
Group Photo of the attending guests at the opening cruise tour of Fill in the Blanks, the first thematic exhibition of ARTS·TECH Exhibition 2.0.
The “Drawing of Hong Kong Marine Fish” workshop will lead the participants to delve into the diverse aquatic life of Hong Kong and engage in a creative pursuit. The artworks created at the workshop will be displayed at City Gallery throughout the exhibition period.
List of artworks:
Lost and Found by Ng Tsz-kwan
Over a decade ago, the notion of “decluttering” began to prevail. People gave away their unnecessary belongings to let go of material possessions and obsessions. Nonetheless, of the things that we casually discarded, where did they go? Perhaps they were still lingering around and were never lost, all along, they continued to exist in different forms. The ambiguous demarcation between them and us remains undeniable. Blurring these lines is not as easy as it may seem.
Lost in Pearls by Tap Chan
Lost in Pearls plays with the concept of a chain reaction machine and transforms it into a captivating artwork. Instead of using steel balls, pearls are employed to embark on a strange and unusual journey fuelled by imagination. Vivid lighting reminiscent of 1980s film aesthetics renders pearls and their hosts, the oysters or scallops, as enigmatic and alien creatures in the city. Towards the end of the video, pearls descend into the sewage system, signifying the artist’s lamentation of humanity’s indifference towards nature’s cherished treasures.
The Speech of Animals and Plants by Ivy Ma
The title of this work, The Speech of Animals and Plants, originates from the poem I’m Working on the World by Polish poet Wisława Szymborska. Animals and plants from the faraway lands would come to life in these moving images, emblematising their transient and quotidian moments on the screen, altogether weaving a perhaps not as eloquent, but introspective, contemplative and musing speech of life.
Bloom by the Sea by Zheng Bo
Zheng Bo’s practice roots in the serene observation of nature, allowing the audience to rediscover the close ties between humans and plants on our planet. In Bloom by the Sea, Zheng Bo focuses on the flora in his village on the south side of Lantau Island, bringing these hidden botanical community by the sea and receive their long-overdue recognition.
Event Details:
Fill in the Blanks (Curated by Ng Tsz-kwan)
Date: 21 October to 12 November 2023
Venue: Sino Lumin Art Façade at Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui East
Time: 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Resonant Harbour: A Speculative Water Tour
Participants will embark on a 30-minute audio cruise tour, immersing themselves in the sounds that have been forgotten while navigating between the past and present of theVictoria Harbour. As participants admire the digital facade artwork showcased on the Harbour, the vibrant cityscape and the undulating harbour serve as a contextual backdrop, allowing them to fill in the invisible and imagine what truly exists.
Date: 2 & 3 November 2023
Time: 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Venue: World Star, Star Ferry (Gathering Point: Central Pier No.7)
Artists: Ng Tsz-kwan, Shane Aspegren, Lai Sim-fong, Li Man-hin
Registration: https://www.art-mate.net/doc/69704
“Drawing of Hong Kong Marine Fish” Workshop
Local artist Tsang Hing-ling will host a fish-drawing experience workshop and the artwork would be then transformed into a vivid 3D model by AR technology. Through the drawing workshop, participants will be surprised by the biodiversity in the sea around Hong Kong, and ultimately, be inspired to work towards preserving nature. Participants’ artwork will be displayed at the City Gallery during the exhibition period.
Date: 28 October, 5 & 11 November, 2023
Time: 3:00 – 4:30PM
Venue: Meeting Room, 3/F, City Gallery, Central
Tutor: Tsang Hing-ling
Registration: https://www.art-mate.net/doc/69702
Free admission. Limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis.
ARTS‧TECH Exhibition 2.0 information is available on the official website: https://arts-tech.hk/
