15 Jun 2016

Time & Date: 2 Jul 2016 (Sat), 10:30am–7pm
Location: Recital Hall, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Admission: Free-of-charge
Language: Cantonese (with simultaneous interpretation in English)

Hong Kong’s recent socio-political landscape has been charged with overt acts of resistance: from protests against the demolition of the Star Ferry Terminal, to controversy surrounding the relocation of Choi Yuen Village residents, to the ‘Umbrella Movement’. Often remembered for mass occupation of city streets and moments of clashes, these events have given way to various projects and social practices that are being sustained by artists and creative practitioners who continue to reflect on, and respond to, the urgencies relevant to them as citizens. In this context, how does art weave itself with political consciousness? What kinds of propositions do they put forward?

Hong Kong Conversations is Asia Art Archive’s ongoing series of talks that considers Hong Kong’s art ecology within a wider cultural and socio-political framework. Co-presented with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and developed in collaboration with artist and educator Ricky Yeung, 2016 Hong Kong Conversations: Out in Front? explores how a new generation of creative practitioners is claiming Hong Kong’s social fabric as a site of practice and potential change through daily acts and small-scaled projects.

The full-day talk series consists of three panels, as platforms for conversations between local young creative practitioners. The first panel Field Experiments looks at how creative practitioners and local communities negotiate the ethical implications embedded in their respective contexts and approaches. Chaired by Ricky Yeung, the panels’ speakers include workshop leader of HK Neighbirdhood Pamela Cheung, crew member of The Street Store@HK and Sum Siu Restaurant Patrick Fung, and members of Kai Fond Pai Dong Michael Leung and Flypig, among others.

Following the first panel is 8-minute Propositions in which students from eight secondary and tertiary institutions present their artworks that respond to Hong Kong’s current socio-political climate. The last panel, Independent Voices, gathers five emerging creative practitioners stemming from indie music, theatre, filmmaking, printing and publishing to discuss how they carved out creative spaces for audiences to engage in independent productions and performances. The talk also features a screening and performance by several of the speakers. This panel is chaired by Indy Lee, Head of Performing Arts Education, the Performing Arts Education Centre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Speakers include co-founder of Print Studio Ink’chacha Lo King Yee, independent filmmaker Siuyea, and founder of Music is Free Foundation Adrian Tsing, and more.