City Art Square 1

Last Sunday (8 Feb 2009), I attended a talk and a guided tour to the City Art Square, which was organized by the Art Promotion Office of The Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Professor Kurt Chan, City Art Square Art Director, presented us with useful and detailed information about public art and the project of City Art Square.

As mentioned by Professor Chan, the project “City Art Square” collaborated by LCSD and Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund was launched since August 2007. Located adjacent to the Shatin Town Hall, New Town Plaza, and Royal Park Hotel, the Square which covers an area of approximately 190,000 square feet with 19 art pieces by renowned local, mainland, and overseas artists and designers officially opened on 22 July 2008. The art pieces with a combination of Olympic elements and interactive art are not only as part of the celebration of the Olympic Games 2008, but also to beautify the public environment and promote the public’s appreciation of art.

There are several features on the project design. To cope with the equestrian events of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Hong Kong, the organizer gives careful consideration to the main theme and the combination of equestrian elements and public art at the Square, where about 9 pieces are Olympic-related. Secondly, its focus is not simply to set up spaces for 19 art pieces, but also to map out their surroundings, e.g. the ground and the trees, as a whole scene. Besides, the organizer intentionally works out some art pieces with functionality so as to let people use them as chairs or play around at the Square. Thirdly, to diversify its range of art pieces, artists from different background like fashion designer, graphic designer, architect, and conceptual artist, other than sculptors, are invited to the project. Also, having fully support from SHKP Charitable Fund and LCSD, the organizer aims at building up a rich cultural and art platform at international level. Four great masterpieces by world-class artists namely Dennis Oppenheim (US), Zaha Hadid Architects (UK), Xu Bing (China), and Mimmo Paladino (Italy) are exhibited in the Square. Finally, with the purpose of merging art into People’s lives, all participating artists are encouraged to make reference to the geographic factors and cultural life of Shatin. Some overseas artists even conducted several site visits before finishing their creation.

Engagement, Glass and steel
Dennis Oppenheim (United States America)

This pair of giant engagement rings is erected near the marriage registry, at which matches the theme of the building pretty well. Dennis Oppenheim usually makes large-scale outdoor sculptures. Unlike his previous work made in 1998, the one he set up for the Square is shrunk, and the two diamonds which represent the houses are doorless and colourless as he feels that the environment is already full of colours.

http://www.dennis-oppenheim.com/works/outdoor-sculpture

Wirl, Fiberglass
Zaha Hadid Architects (United Kingdom)

By using the technique of computer rendering, this dynamic sculpture is completed in whole in UK and transported to HK. There is no solder and flaw found on its surface at all. Zaha Hadid captures the moments of horse running and reflects her ideas in an organic form. She would like to see people sitting and playing with her artwork.

http://www.zaha-hadid.com/

The Horse Keeps Running, Artificial Stone
Xu Bing (China)

Professor Chan mentions that Xu Bing, a conceptual artist, has never deal with public art. The curator therefore plays an important role to persuade him to participate, to help him to convert his idea, and support him on all technical problems.

Xu Bing has created his square word calligraphy in 1994. In his work “Horse Keeps Running,” he translates the horses’ Chinese names into English words and presents them in the form of square word calligraphy. All these words are finally composed as poetry of horses’ names. Interestingly, we can only see a blank white wall in the daytime, and the poetry appears after dark. It definitely gives us a new experience in appreciation of art.

http://www.xubing.com/index.php/site/projects/year/1994/square_calligraphy_classroom

Zenith, Bronze and Aluminium
Mimmo Plaladino (Italy)

It is told that there are three editions of Zenith. Besides HK, one is in Brussels but the third one is unknown. Mimmo Plaladino adopts simple and classic form to tell his story. The horse with no tail is wearing a venetian mask and carrying a star which represents a symbol of the light and glory. In order to make it outstanding from its surroundings, the horse is lifted above the eye level at the front entrance of the New Town Plaza. Consequently, the sky becomes its background with changeable scene all the time.

http://www.ropac.net/artists/mimmo-paladino/?view=bio