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Artworks created by local artists and tertiary students for three government buildings are on display starting from today (June 9).
The exhibition, part of a public art project entitled "Art @ Government Buildings", commences today and will last six months. The exhibition showcases the work of three local artists, Ms Man Fung-yi, Mr Leung Chi-wo, Mr Justin Wong, and 14 tertiary students, who have collectively spent about eight months preparing their creative artworks. The government buildings are Tsuen Wan Government Offices, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, and Revenue Tower in Wan Chai.
The project, which aims to promote public art in Hong Kong, is presented by the Home Affairs Bureau and organised by the Art Promotion Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, with the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Public Art Hong Kong as artistic collaborators.
The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Raymond Young, said that to promote arts as an integral part of our daily lives, the Government has been pro-actively rolling out various public and community art projects to nurture local arts and creative talent and to cultivate public interest in art appreciation.
He noted that the project has injected artistic elements into government premises, linking the buildings with their surroundings and the people within by creatively turning stories of residents' daily lives into public artworks. The artworks have also livened up the government buildings.
The Chairperson, Board of Councillors of Public Art Hong Kong, Mrs Cissy Pao Watari, said that the implementation of public art projects required a thorough understanding of the environment as well as the needs of users, and the installation of artistic works in government buildings would make the lives of those working there more relaxing and interesting.
Highlighting the benefits of having students participating in a mentor programme under the project, Mrs Watari said, "Through the joint efforts of the artists and the tertiary students, we are able to promote public art to the community level, increase interactivity between the social environment and people's lives, and promote arts education - and that is precisely the role that public art should be playing."
The three-dimensional artwork entitled "Weaving Intimacy (Total Recall)", created by Ms Man Fung-yi and her student assistants at the Tsuen Wan Government Offices takes the form of a woman's shoe. The creative artwork strives to immortalise some senior citizens' treasured memories. During the creative process, the art team has visited six senior citizens from the Tsuen Wan district and listened to their stories relating to their shoes. Viewers can spare a moment to reflect on fond memories and the warmth of the community when enjoying this piece of artwork.
In the exhibition at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices entitled "There from Here", Mr Leung Chi-wo and his student assistants have captured many fragments of people's lives in the Sham Shui Po district through a artistic installation set that incorporate words, images and videos. Viewers can enjoy a conceptual encounter with the people and history of Sham Shui Po district, illustrated by videos played on 40 digital photo frames, texts of people's conversations on a large yellow wall panel, and a row of stained glass windows with photos of local people's belongings.
"Difficult Life Station" is the title of the art exhibition at Revenue Tower in Wan Chai, created by Mr Justin Wong and his student assistants. It has two parts - the external glass wall of the building is covered with "How are you today?" stickers, while an interactive media kiosk, dubbed "I am fine", resides in the lobby. The exhibition aims to provide a humorous and interactive platform for employees to escape their routine and to make the workplace more interesting. Office workers can try out the interactive games and the photo-taking options at the kiosk when they take a break.
For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.agb.hk or call 2824 5308.
Ends/Thursday, June 9, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:22
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