Participating artists:
Kingsley Ng, Hung Keung, Silas Fong, Leung Chi Wo, Adrian Wong, Leung Mee Ping, Howard Cheng Chi Lai, Linda Lai, Kacey Wong, Chow Chun Fai, Ip Yuk-Yiu, MAP Office, Ban Zhang, Woo Ling ling, S.T. Choi Sai Ho
Curated by: Alvaro Rodriguez Fominaya
Organized by: Para/Site Art Space, Hong Kong
This Is Hong Kong presents a selection of artists from Hong Kong that reflect on the idea of politics, history, architecture, postcolonial issues and daily life in this territory. The moving image has been one of the areas favored with an intense research in the creative practice of the Hong Kong art scene, and mark a stark difference with that of mainland China, reflecting on differences in cultural background and academic training. This Is Hong Kong presents a unique visual picture of what is Hong Kong now, through an analyses from video media, providing a fresh snapshot of development of the territory after postcolonial devolution in 1997.
The videoprogramme starts with Hong Kong’s skyline in Kingsley Ng recreation of a light/sound score at night. Hung Keung delves us in the neighborhood of Yau Ma Tei and its underworld. Adrian Wong cinematic engages in the rituals of the famous Chinese Triads. Meanwhile artists like Chi Wo Leung, MAP Office and Kacey Wong focus on the architectural development of the city that has created some of the most impressive designs in the world. These works partly connect also with the notion of experimental cinema, particularly Suck/Blow created by Leung Chi Wo. Howard Cheng Chi Lai builds a “tableaux” of traditional neighborhoods through the analytical work “The Doors”. An intimate and personal view of Hong Kong is provided by videoartists like Linda Lai and Woo Ling Ling. A more political side of Hong Kong is brought into life in Ban Zhang, whose animation searches on the notion of identity, Choi Sai Ho, who follow a political demonstration in the city, and Chow Chun Fai, reflecting on the postcolonial status of this region. Ip Yuk Yiu work establishes a connection with Hong Kong’s past through the film industry. Finally, Leung Mee Ping and Silas Fong dwell on the notion of the large metropolis and the solitude and inequalities of life in the big city.