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An exhibition which explores the social issues relevant to Hong Kong today will be held at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre from tomorrow (March 1) to March 18.
"Reflect Thy Glory: the creation of male and female - Works by Marc Leung" features the multi-media arts by Marc Leung in response to two social phenomena: the craze for body slimming and the popularity of the "bus uncle".
A selection of Leung's works will be on display at the Foyer of Yuen Long Theatre from March 21 to April 2.
Influenced by massive publicity about body slimming in the local media, many women strive to stay slim to achieve a "perfect body shape". Body slimming is similar to a creation process, moulding one's body into a standard beauty by trimming here and there. What's worth pondering is: Have they lost their way in the search for a beautiful appearance? Who is to set the standard of perfection? Does the modification of our body shape and appearance actually mean the control of our own bodies, or rather the loss of autonomy?
During the recent hot issue in the city - the "bus uncle" incident, bus uncle claimed that he could not stop disturbing others by using foul language because he was under great pressure and other people's provocation. Is this his way of relieving pressure, or simply a loss of self-control?
Marc Leung compared the beauty standards to "bus uncle's" outburst. Both are further magnified by the mass media. We are not the masters of our bodies after all.
Visualising his own role as an artist, Leung explores the role of "God" by exercising how much control he would have during the "creation" process. He has created a body of sculptural works that are formed and shaped in accordance to natural law but at the same time the works reflect the metamorphosis of mental change. By distorting some part of torsos, for example, the absence of the head in some sculptures, Leung is saying that the subject is slowly losing her/his individuality under social "influence". Furthermore, it reveals a power struggle between the people and society and people's resistibility towards these temptations. In short, the works investigate the power play between God and the artist, and between the individual and society.
The exhibition, the 11th of the Artists in the Neighbourhood Scheme III, is organised by the Art Promotion Office (APO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Free guided tours will be offered to the public and school groups. For bookings, contact the Community Art Team of the APO on 3101 2712 or 3101 2713.
To learn more about the artist and his work, visit the APO's website: www.artistneighbourhood.info.
The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is located at 7A Kennedy Road, Central. The Exhibition Hall is open daily from 10am to 9pm and is closed on Tuesdays. The Yuen Long Theatre is located at 9 Tai Yuk Road, Yuen Long and is open from 9am to 10pm. Admission is free for the exhibition.
Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:02
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