SWaitse Blog: City Art Square 3

I found the information of the talk on City Art Square accidentally when surfing the web. Professor Kurt Chan’s presentation was detailed and rewarding. I am impressed by the effort and contribution the organizer had made to this public art project. Did it gain publicity through mass media when the Square officially launched on 22 July 2009, which was close to the opening of Beijing Olympic Games 2008? After six months passed, is there a general awareness of Hong Kong people that a fabulous collection of artworks is sited at the Square? Are people familiar with the artworks other than the artists’ names, the titles and materials of those 19 art pieces? I doubt it. The people whom I asked all denied having seen these installations before. http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Apo/b5/programmes20090108_5.html

Why Public Art? As quoted from the Art Promotion Office (LCSD), “The public artworks…reflecting the characteristics of the locality and meeting the aspirations of the people there. Not only will they help to embellish the environment, but more importantly, enhance the quality of life of the local communities through proactive interaction between people and the works of art, and the artists.”

To certain extent, the project is a success. With the collection of 19 masterpieces of public art, the square seems bustling with life and excitement than it has ever been. The involvement of well-known local, mainland, and international artists from different background like sculptor, fashion designer, graphic designer, architectural designer, architect, and conceptual artist into the project does provide a good opportunity for experience sharing and also adding variety of the exhibits. Sculptures which are made up of durable materials usually dominate public art; however, it is great to see that artworks from galleries or museums are now available to be displayed outdoors. While some pieces call attention to the pavement, some pieces tower into the sky. Also, as some pieces function as chairs, more people are willing to stay and rest in the Square for social gathering, other than sitting on the stairway in front of the Shatin Town Hall.

In order to reflect the characteristics of the locality and celebrate the equestrian events of the Olympic Games held in Shatin, the organizer is intent on inviting all participating artists to feature the cultural life of Shatin and including some local artists in the neighborhood. Bauhinias and windmills, horses, and Olympic logo are found as the subject matters of some works. In Tom Thiel’s work “Gelebtes Holz (Lived Wood)”, I wish the wood was collected in Hong Kong to represent the memories of the local people.

Furthermore, with fully support from Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund and the government, the organizer is autonomous to select participating artists, to buy fabulous art pieces from overseas, to generate many new elements in the project and allow trials to transform the concepts and ideas into creative public art. The curators must have made an arduous effort to liaise with different parties like artist, architect, contractor, and the government.

At the same time, what are the aspirations of people? Do they participate well in the event? City Art Square is initiated and implemented by a group of elite, for which a top-down approach is used. A large number of masterpieces of notable artists are stuffed in the Square as an outdoor museum. It is said that a city with public art is a city that thinks and feels. AOP’s purpose is to “enhance the quality of life of the local communities through proactive interaction between people and the works of art, and the artists.” For me, after receiving more background information about the project from Professor Chan, I feel familiar with the art pieces and appreciate their set-up for lightening people’s heart. Yet, what do these artworks mean to the whole neighborhood? How well do they merge into people’s life? Is it just a wishful thinking of the elite to promote art or is it just an event coping with the Olympic Games 2008? It is meaningless if people do not know about public art but just regard some art pieces as additional park benches in the square or obstacles to block their way. When we are not familiar with something, we certainly not let it be a part of our life. How can we interact with the artworks and the artists then?

Public art affirms an educational environment. The Square does provide people with a learning platform to know public art. It is important for the art facilitators to grasp the time to arouse public attention and interest in art appreciation. The promotion works may include more information about each art piece on site and on web, project publication, guided tours, seminars, school talks, and sessions of “meeting with the artist”. Not only the government, but also people especially those from Shatin district can help in this long-term promotion. It is significant if Shatin residents can introduce others about their life and special events in Shatin. Moreover, the more people learn about art, the more they handle the art pieces with care. Will people draw on the white wall of Xu Bing’s work? Will people write something on the sculpture “Wirl”? Who knows! Education is definitely a way to reduce the possibility.

Besides, is it a “tight squeeze” to have 19 art pieces in one place? Will there be public art in all places of Hong Kong? Even a few pieces for one place are expected. Unlike other art promotion, we rely on the government to take careful consideration in town planning. We also reply on big business for its sponsorship. No matter how we define the project of City Art Square a success or a failure, but I do hope it will call more attention and be a good reference for further development of public art in Hong Kong. Also, its pace should have to be speeded up.

For other information of Public Art Walking (Kwai Tsing Theatre, Tsing Yi Municipal Services Building, Tai Po Central Town Square, and Yat Tung Estate of Tung Chung), please visit APO’s website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Apo/en/pa.html

Next time when you go to New Town Plaza, please remember to visit this remarkable outdoor museum and look up for “Zenith”. It is revealed that the project costs around nine thousand million dollars.