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The ArtAlive@Park 2014 large-scale public art project will see 13 tailor-made public artworks produced by schools of design at local tertiary institutions go on display from tomorrow (May 20) till August 19 at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section).
Speaking at the project's opening ceremony today, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung, said the artworks are useful, innovative and full of imagination, and would not only help decorate the environment but also bring art to the community.
She noted that the Central and Western District Promenade is located near to the Central Government Offices, and offers panoramic views of picturesque Victoria Harbour, offering office workers an ideal place for artistic relaxation amid the city's hustle and bustle.
Other officiating guests included the Vice Chairman of the Central and Western District Council, Mr Chan Hok-Fung; Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Avia Lai; Dean of the School of Design and Swire Chair Professor of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Cees de Bont; President of the Caritas Bianchi College of Careers, Professor Reggie Kwan; Principal of Hong Kong Design Institute, Mr Leslie Lu; and Head of the Art Promotion Office, Dr Lesley Lau.
ArtAlive@Park 2014 is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and organised by the Art Promotion Office and HULU Culture as programme co-ordinator. The three artistic collaborators are the Department of Design, Caritas Bianchi College of Careers; Hong Kong Design Institute; and the School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The theme of this year's ArtAlive@Park is "Art Is Fun ¡X DESIGN engaging into the city; ART sparking the enthusiasm of life".
The programme was brought to life by the 48 participating students who created 13 artworks for the promenade under the direction of seven team leaders and five artists. The artworks will serve as interactive pieces of furniture that illustrate meditations on city life, such as the imbalance between city development and nature, the complex and disorderly network of human communications and the pursuit of a leisurely life full of freedom.
ArtAlive@Park 2014 offers free admission and a series of special programmes will be organised to coincide with the project. In addition to guided tours of the artworks there will also be music and dance performances, creative markets and a parent-child carnival designed on a specific theme. A variety of performing arts groups will also participate.
ArtAlive@Park has been received with enthusiasm since it was first launched in 2009 as "Budding Winter", which was renamed by the Art Promotion Office in 2010 as ArtAlive@Park. ArtAlive@Park was also held in 2012. The project invites different local tertiary institutes to create works of art for public parks. Since its launch, ArtAlive@Park has introduced works of art at seven public parks in different districts, seeking to decorate the parks with new artistic clothes and offer the public a new, interactive art experience.
For details of the project, please visit www.artaliveatpark.hk, or call 2780 2283.
Ends/Monday, May 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:50
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