2 Nov 2015

Image: Sai Wan. Courtesy of Michael Leung.
Image: Sai Wan. Courtesy of Michael Leung.

Asia Art Archive (AAA) launches The Third Space, an invitational programme series that introduces alternative learning spaces to re-imagine art education. The inaugural programme, The Third Space (1): Sai Wan Winter Camp invites artist and urban farmer Michael Leung to present pre-camp screenings, Winter Camp, and post-camp projects from November 2015 to January 2016. Creating an open space for independent thought, the programme activates and engages participants in environments beyond the boundaries of home and the workplace, making connections between art and society.

The programme begins with the Pre-camp outdoor screenings held in collaboration with the General Education Unit of the University of Hong Kong, the Visual Arts Society of Hong Kong Baptist University student’s union, Putyourself.in, and 18 Pitt Street. Presenting two films, Into the Wild, directed by Sean Penn and Stray Dogs, directed by Tsai Ming-liang, the screenings are open to public free-of-charge to provide an opportunity for a wider audience to explore the theme of public space and the environment.

Winter Camp takes place in Sai Wan village, Sai Kung, one of the last heritage settlements of Hong Kong where in 2010 disputes surrounding the usage of land erupted between indigenous Sai Wan villagers, the government’s Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department, and a private investor. Led by sound artist, Fiona Lee, designer, saltmaker, and urban farmer, Michael Leung, and artist, Ng Ka Chun, participants pitch tents in Sai Wan, prompting them to question and examine public space and civic culture, reflect on their relationships with the environment, and reconnect with nature. The programme has a quota of 20 and welcomes applications from young audiences aged 18–30 with a passion for the arts and an interest in current social issues. Application deadline is 15 November 2015.

The camp is accompanied by a blog, written responses from Evelyn Char—writer, critic, editor, and curatorial board member of 1a space and Sylvia Chow—cultural reporter of Hong Kong Economic Times, and recommended readings, enabling participants and audiences to further explore and engage with public space and deepen their understanding of the world. In Jan 2016, a series of post-camp programmes generated by participants, artists, and other arts organisations extend discussions from the camp back to the city.

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation is the lead sponsor of AAA’s Learning & Participation Programmes in 2015.