Public art in HK

Shek Kip Mei Artists' works in Culture Centre

One day in February, I saw some artwork exhibited in G/F of Culture Centre. Those were so familiar to me because I just visited the JCACC and watched some of these.

As I mentioned, The JCACC is not popular because of the location and lacking of promotion. We could enjoy the silent atmosphere to appreciate the artwork in there, but couldn't draw the attention of the public. In HK, promotional work is so important. We may receive various leaflet, advertisement on street and email/sms. We could see giant banner, poster and lightbox in MTR or on the surface of the building. It seems that: we relay on advertisement to get daily information. I think the JCACC are going to attempt different methods and channels to let the public know what the centre is doing.

But, who will visit Culture Centre? Certainly, the cultural activity lovers. I don't think that these people do not know the JCACC. You may say the elderly and some families(who do not often join the cultural activities) can get the information of JCACC through this exhibition. I always saw some artworks been shown in MTR stations and shopping malls. Although these promotional works are quite effective and attractive, it may evoke the commercialize of the art---artworks= commodities? Sometimes, I would think: if I am the curator of this kind of organization, what shall I do? How can I make the balance between art and marketing?

JCCAC

During February, I visited the JCCAC several times. My school joined a programme with JCCAC that some artists would present their works or art technique in the school lessons and we would bring the students to the centre to watch their studio or attend the art courses.
I visited the centre last years autumn. There were only a few workshops established and I just watched a photography exhibition (news photos). I also no interest to see the formal opening ceremony of the centre, even though it is very close to my school.
After the activities in February, I've changed my mind and attracted by the centre. It isn't a great building or no fascinating facilities in there, but it is a good place for the artists to create their work. There are some opened area for mini exhibitions and some tiny stages for performance. It is not extravagant but efficient. Some features of factory building were kept in the repairs. I think the architect intended to keep the mood and collective memory for the artists and the visitors.
Some may say that some flats are not used as studio or working place. Actually, some studios are used for exhibition or as a gallery. Inevitably, the original idea of establishment is diverged. I don't think there are so many artists don't have their own workshops. Before that, Fotan and Kwun Tong industrial buildings, old flats in Wanchai are good place for the studio. Some of my friends already have their workshop. Furthermore, Shek Kip Mei is not a cultural place. We can't see any public art and cultural centre nearby. (Only estate and school surrounding) How to construct the art atmosphere? The residents in Shek Kip Mei are poor and not well-educated. They may not use the leisure time to watch art. Many students don't visit museum or exhibition, except school force them to do so, how to promote art to public through this centre? By artist themselves? By the organization? Or by the building?
Some may complain that the centre is not used efficiently and waste resources. Some may say that it is a oasis of culture and revitalizing historic buildings. However, I do think it is a initial step for HK to develop our own art culture. More and more mass aware the significance of art and cultural life. More and more resources will be put into the cultural development. Even the centre is not well-planned and really valid, I think it is a nice place for the artists and the first-time visitors.

Fashion of Vivienne Westwood

On 25 Jan, I watch the exhibition of Westwood in Taikoo Place. I'm not really love the design of Vivienne Westwood. Some of the designs are too exaggerated and not match with HK style(quite simple and mono). But I expect I can find some ideas to teach fashion design to the students( Certainly, I'm not familiar and not qualifed in fashion design, just want to instruct some very very basic concepts).

Unexpectly, I learn much in the exhibition. I think she is an artist. In different periods, she showed sensitive to the change of time and culture. She really catch the old and new fashion style of England; she catch the fashion of minority---who like sex, Punk, Rap music,etc; she catch the idea from pirate, science novel and Pagan...Westwood concerns the world and different races that she can lead the fashion in England. She also has good skill in tailoring. The evening wears and clorsets are attractive. These are an expression of female sexuality and empowerment.

I also want to point out that the venue is quite good. The lighting and the seting construct the pleasure mood to appreciate the fashion. I think Swire done much in promoting art and design in HK.

Fatanian

I went to Fotan with Carina on 17th Jan. About 6 years ago, I went there with some students. That was my 1st time to visit the workshops in industrial buildings and I explored many interested working places of artists. We feel excited and unforgetable.

This year, I planned to visit with students. But due to Jockey Club Creative Art Centre was opened in Shek Kip Mei last year. The students were not willing to go N.T. (Fotan). Thus I went with my friend.

Some of my old friends have their studio for several years. First, we visit Sara Tse in Wah Lun. This is not the first time I visit. Her studio is same as my memory. It is large and full of sunlight that isn't like a working place. I hope I can have a studio like this---but I can't keep it tidy...

Next, we went to another studio. A kindly man (I think he is the host) talk us what they have done and the style of the artworks. The leaflet shows the courses and several pictures. There are full of paintings and sculptures.

After that, we found other studios with different style and theme. However, I have a little bit resentfulness to this trip. Of course, we have little time to watch more studio and didn't go to other buildings in Fotan Industrial District. We can't stayed loger time to study each place. But some of the studios are too tidy and clear that not like working places. They are looked like gallery or teaching centre. I really understand the strategies of promotion. Undoubtly, they need to give nice impression to the visiters. In my memory, these studios were looked like "studio" in a few years ago and the students might know the actual environment how the artists work.

We want to promoting art and art appreciation, inevitably, we need "package" and strategies. I hope that art studios would be everywhere that peolpe(esp. adolescent) can touch easily. I also expect the Fotanian would be more powerful and affect HK art.