Learning Lab
Since March 2009, AAA has been organizing their pilot education programme – a monthly learning lab – aimed at providing a supportive environment to equip young people, aged 15-18, with the confidence to think and talk about contemporary art, while simultaneously considering its relation to the world in which we live. With the support from a team of university volunteers from arts related disciplines, AAA education staff prepare each lab with an art professional acting as the lab facilitator.

2010
January - Visit to Lam Tungpang’s Studio
Hong Kong artist, Lam Tungpang, opened his Fotan studio for a sharing session with AAA Learning Lab participants. He shared his artistic development and experiences in London, Hong Kong and Beijing, demonstrated some painting techniques and shared his collected “treasures” which inspire his work.

Special thanks go to the lab facilitators and university volunteers
University Volunteers 2010:
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Fine Arts: Alex Yu
City University of Hong Kong, School of Creative Media: Hazel Cheung and Ening Yim
Hong Kong Baptist University, The Academy of Visual Arts: Damon Lee, Charmaine Leung, So Wai Lam and Trevor Yeung
Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education: Lee Wai Shing
The University of Hong Kong, Fine Arts: Crystal Chan, Wing Chan, Brian Cheng, Joey Li, Li Sum Yi, Jasmine Yip and Nadia Wong
University of Toronto: Carol Ng


2009
March - Art in the Community
Jaffa Laam, Hong Kong artist, shared her artistic development and stories about her residency experiences in Bangladesh. She also discussed the art of Southeast Asia and South Asia with students using related materials from AAA’s collection.

April - The Changing Roles of the Museum
In conjunction with AAA’s community project, ‘Build Your Dream Museum Collection Everyday!’, Stephanie Cheung, art historian and researcher, conducted a workshop to illustrate the historical development of the museum, encouraging the students to think about the changing role of museums and their collections through interactive exercises and discussion.

May - From Tradition to Contemporary: China, Japan and Korea
Nana Seo is a Korean curator who has studied in Japan, worked in Shanghai, and is currently based in Hong Kong. By making use of her extensive cultural exposure, she led students though the histories of contemporary art in China, Japan and Korea, considering the relationship between traditional and contemporary, and thinking about how the contemporary artist translates traditional language into contemporary ideas.

June - Conducting Research in Contemporary Art
Lydia Ngai, AAA Head Librarian, conducted a workshop demonstrating how to undertake formalized research on contemporary art and culture by using AAA’s collection and online research tools.

July - Comics
Comics are one of the most popular forms of cultural entertainment for many young people. Li Chihoi, a Hong Kong illustrator, asked students to consider the meaning, role and possibilities of comics by discussing the history of comic art in Hong Kong, Chinese sequential art and the development of comic art in Europe. She also examined the relationship between contemporary art and the comic.

September - What is Contemporary Art?
Janet Chan, Coordinator for AAA’s Research+ department, conducted a workshop to develop students’ understanding of contemporary art through discussion, screening and interactive presentation. She addressed the issues of ‘ARTefacts or ART’, ‘Stereotypes, Spectacles, the Gaze…’ and ‘Contemporary Art in the Dilemma of Global/Local’.

October - Art and Community
Hong Kong artist, Law Man Lok, conducted a workshop at Wooferten in Shanghai Street, Hong Kong, on the topic of ‘Art & Community: Field Trip vs. Globalization’; activities included artist sharing, field trip discovery and discussion.

November - New Media Arts
The meaning of new media art is continually changing. After seeing the Microwave International New Media Arts Festival, students joined a workshop conducted by new media artist, Keith Lam, who asked students the question “What is new media art?” by showing a broad range of new media works. Students also made their own new media artworks.

University Volunteers 2009:
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Fine Arts: Alex Yu
City University of Hong Kong, School of Creative Media: Hazel Cheung and Ening Yim
Hong Kong Baptist University, The Academy of Visual Arts: Kenji Lau, Damon Lee, Charmaine Leung, So Wai Lam and Trevor Yeung
The Hong Kong Institute of Education: Lily Cheng
Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education: Lee Wai Shing
The University of Hong Kong, Fine Arts: Crystal Chan, Brian Cheng, Joey Li, Li Sum Yi and Nadia Wong
University of Toronto: Carol Ng