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"ArtAlive@Park 2012", a public art project presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), was officially opened today (March 23). The launch event marked the opening of the "Beyond the Curtain กค Envision the City" exhibition, the first phase of the project, as well as a series of colourful activities at the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden.
Officiating at the opening party for the first exhibition of "ArtAlive@Park 2012" were the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung; the Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Avia Lai; the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Dr Roger Chan; the Chairman of the Organising Committee on Cultural Arts Events, Yau Tsim Mong District Council, Mr Chris Ip; artist Mr Kevin Fung; the Executive Director of Hulu Culture, Ms Iman Fok, and the Chief Curator of the Art Promotion Office, Ms Lesley Lau.
"ArtAlive@Park 2012" is organised by the LCSD's Art Promotion Office. Hulu Culture was invited as the curatorial collaborator of the project.
Speaking at today's opening party, Mrs Fung said this is the second year for the LCSD to organise "ArtAlive@Park".
"This is an exploratory public art project held with the co-operation of local universities, and it carries double meaning. Firstly, it brings art to the community, allowing the public a more easy way to access art by showcasing artworks in popular public spaces, such as the LCSD's parks, and relating artistic creativity with people's daily life. Secondly, it provides a platform for university students to create and showcase their works so as to promote local art creations and to nurture young artists," Mrs Fung said.
She added that the LCSD invited three universities' architecture departments to take part in the project, namely the Faculty of Architecture of HKU, the School of Architecture of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Division of Building Science and Technology of the City University of Hong Kong (CityU).
"Unlike those of 2010, the exhibitions of 'ArtAlive@Park 2012' will be held at three parks along the seashore, namely the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden, the Tai Po Waterfront Park and the Stanley Promenade. The three participating universities are creating site-specific and interactive artworks according to the different characteristics of the respective locations," Mrs Fung said.
"Combining architectural and artistic elements, these artworks will inject the energy of art into those parks, turning them into 'wall-less museums' and bringing art closer to people."
The series of exhibitions of "ArtAlive@Park 2012" will be launched in three phases. "Beyond the Curtain กค Envision the City", the first exhibition, will run from today until May 31 at the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden. It features four artworks created by students of the Faculty of Architecture of HKU, including "Shift Fence", "Urban Blinds", "Reflective Perspectives" and "Soft-wall".
The 14 participating students have applied engineering logic and aesthetics to explore and incorporate the conditions specific to the location into their works. Showcasing the attractions of the waterfront park amid the layered illuminations on both shores of Victoria Harbour, the exhibition will stimulate the urban dweller to reconsider how space is used in the city. The Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden is an ideal and popular location for relaxing and enjoying the night-time scenery. With the addition of these artworks, the park will become a unique attraction presenting ideas as well as complementing the cityscape with vibrancy and beauty.
During the exhibition period, a series of performances and activities will be held in the park. They include "Night of a Thousand Stars", which will project motion graphics onto the artworks to add colours in the night view of Tsim Sha Tsui East; "A Dialogue with Art", a drama performance using different parts of human senses; "Combustive Percussion", in which Dr Lung Heung-wing will lead visitors to create a beat of their own by playing all kinds of percussion instruments; "Musika Sans Fronteras", an a cappella performance by Orange; "Joyful Dance Fusion", a dance and music programme with participation from the public and talented artists with disabilities; and "Dreams Light Up the Sky", featuring light painting involving the use of a digital camera. In addition, there will be free public and school tours to be held at the park.
The second-phase exhibition by students of the School of Architecture of CUHK will be held at the Tai Po Waterfront Park from July to September this year, while the third phase by students of the Division of Building Science and Technology of CityU will be held at the Stanley Promenade from November to January next year.
The LCSD has also invited Don't Believe in Style, Studio de Dimension de Tofu, Lung and Lam Company Limited, Horizonte, Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, Hiromi Company and others to offer colourful programmes and activities during the exhibition periods.
For project details, please visit the "ArtAlive@Park 2012" page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/ArtAlivePark/162325117141387 or call Hulu Culture at 9746 4396 or 2780 2283.
Ends/Friday, March 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:26
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