Archives: Activity

Traditionally, mainstream visual art was limited to paintings and sculptures. Nowadays, its horizon has expanded to include many other modes of expressions, with installation art the most popular among them. Understanding installation art involves stretching the mind and the senses of the viewer. In this lecture, Choi Yan Chi, one of Hong Kong’s foremost installation artists will offer insights for a better appreciation of this art form.

Choi has been actively committed to promoting contemporary art in Hong Kong for over 25 years. Joining Baptist University in 2002, she helped to establish the University’s first Academy of Visual Art where she is currently an Assistant Professor. Her accomplishments are numerous. She was a grantee of Asian Cultural Council Fellowship in 1990 and a participant in the First Asia Pacific Triennial in Australia in 1993. That same year, she held her solo exhibition in the state gallery of Berlin, Haus der Kulturen der Welt. A co-founder of 1A Space, she was invited by the University of Southern California as Distinguished Provost’s Visitor in 2008. In 2009, she curated the exhibition “Green, through the Kai Tak River” for October Contemporary Hong Kong. Her works are widely published internationally.

This lecture will be held at the Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University. The academy was the site of the former Royal Air Force Officers’ Mess that is now listed as a grade II historical building of early 20th century colonial architecture. Along with the lecture, there will be an opportunity to tour the various art studios, computer laboratory and art gallery.

“Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius

Norman de Brackinghe's digital paper prints direct viewers' attention to details often overlooked and thereby, create the extraordinary from the ordinary. Vivid colors, painterly quality, strong composition, and a sense of balance and peace constitute his signature style. His popular photographic works betray his love of abstract expressionists like Pollock, Rothko, Motherwell and Rauschenberg. With subject matters mostly of distressed surfaces or close-up shots, and without the use of Photoshop or a paintbrush, his abstract photography fascinates not only art lovers, but also painters and graphic designers.

Norman de Brackinghe has lived in Hong Kong since 1976, working as the director of an international publishing company for twenty years. He comes from a family steeped in graphic arts and publishing and has worked with Allen Lane of Penguin Books and later Paul Hamlyn. Since his arrival in Hong Kong, he has been involved in design and design education while actively promoting art. He has held over 20 solo exhibitions on both his watercolour landscapes and abstract photography in Hong Kong and Europe. Norman has also exhibited in many group shows in Europe, Hong Kong and the Asian region. Images of his photography can be viewed at his website www.debrackinghe.com. His studio is small but well equipped with a lovely view overlooking Happy Valley.

Chinese embroidery was well established domestically by the time it garnered a highly regarded international reputation along the silk route more than two millennia ago. Embroidered embellishments linked both the powerful and the meek to Heaven, Earth and each other with eloquent symbols of authority and good fortune. What shaped its practice and development?

This presentation will reference material and textural evidence from historic Chinese sources and make comparisons with Western experience to explore major social, religious, political and economic circumstances that influenced the development of embroidery styles and stitches in China. A brief overview of embroidery practices from pre-imperial times, through the reforms of the Southern Song, until the end of dynastic rule, will provide a historic perspective before considering today’s circumstances. There will be a glimpse at replicas from antiquity. In conclusion, we will consider the difference between reproductions and forgeries.

Diana Collins is a textile conservator with interests in the production of Chinese textiles. For over 25 years she has conserved textiles from private, museum and commercial collections in her textile conservation practice in Hong Kong. She taught the textiles conservation component of integrated art conservation and restoration certificate courses at The Hong Kong University’s SPACE and has lectured on this subject and the history of Chinese textiles in China, Southeast Asia, Australia and the U.S. She is a contributing editor of HALI magazine and has written articles and reviews for 'Arts of Asia' and 'Orientations' magazines. Collins conceived and coordinated the first international conference on the history of Chinese textiles, “Chinese Textiles: Technique, Design and Patterns of Use” which was held in Hong Kong in 1995 in conjunction with the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition “Heaven’s Embroidered Cloth”.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1970 with its first issue published the following year, 'Arts of Asia' is one of the premier magazines in the field of Asian arts and antiquities. With subscribers in 93 countries, it showcases the cultural pride and heritage of Asia to the world.

Publisher and Editor, Tuyet Nguyet Markbreiter is a woman of vision, passion and dedication. Born in South Vietnam, she studied journalism in France and the United States and began her career working for English language newspapers and business magazines in Vietnam. Leading a women’s delegation from Vietnam to Manila in 1959, she was commissioned to write about the 10th anniversary of the Chinese mainland refugees when she met her husband Mark Markbreiter, a British architect. Since then, she has made Hong Kong her home. Traveling extensively in Asia, she saw the need to promote a better understanding of Asian people and their culture, their arts and history rather than politics, war and destruction. Hence, 'Arts of Asia' was born.

Now forty years later, her 5,000 sq. ft. office is filled with art pieces from almost every country in Asia, including China, Vietnam, Nepal, Burma, India, Japan and Korea. Tuyet Nguyet Markbreiter will share the background of these exquisite pieces and the stories behind their acquisitions, whether from international auctions, private dealers or artists themselves. Across from the office is the library and study centre where major auction catalogues for the past 27 years can be found. Numerous publications and art albums on Asian art are also well displayed and categorized.

Hangzhou cooking is considered the prime representative of Zhejiang cuisine, one of the eight major schools of Chinese cuisines. Characterized by beautiful presentations, Hangzhou dishes use fresh ingredients that offer sweet and delicate flavors. While increasingly popular as nouvelle cuisine in Mainland China, it has remained relatively understated here.

In Hong Kong, Hangzhou Restaurant (杭州酒家) serves traditional and authentic dishes such as Braised Pork Belly (東坡肉), Steamed Chicken with Stuffing (富貴雞) and West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce (西湖醋魚). Each dish carries its own historical legend, which is tied to the folklore and culture of China. Owner and Chef Ng Sui Hong (吳瑞康) originates from Hangzhou. His father Ng Kwok Leung (吳國良), a highly respected guru of Hangzhou cuisine, was the General Manager of the famous Hangzhou Restaurant in Hangzhou and Executive Chef of Tin Heung Lau (天香樓) in Hong Kong.

We shall savour a special menu from the Chef's recommendations in this relatively low-key restaurant whose business flourishes solely by the word-of-mouth from its satisfied clients. Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the Hangzhou Restaurant was awarded a one star rating by 'Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2010'. For our culinary evening, Chef Ng will share with us some of his superb culinary tips.

The guqin (古琴‬)is a Chinese musical instrument of the zither family with over 3000 years of history. Developed as an elite art form by Chinese literati, the guqin was favored for the aesthetics of its music that emphasized elegance, subtlety and serenity. It is listed at the top of the four traditional arts followed by qi (ancient form of chess), calligraphy and painting. In 2003, the guqin, together with its music was proclaimed by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Dr. Tse Chun-Yan (謝俊仁) is a distinguished guqin musician and composer in Hong Kong. A harmonica player from the age of six, he later studied guzheng and Chinese music theory and composition. He learned to play the guqin in 1983 and since then, he has given numerous public performances in Hong Kong and abroad. Dr. Tse graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong in 1973. After retiring from his medical profession in 2005, he obtained his Ph.D in Ethnomusicology in 2009 from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, researching on guqin scores of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. He now teaches at the Music Department of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the School of Music of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.

Dr. Tse will give an introductory talk on this classical instrument and perform several exemplary pieces including "Running Water" (流水), "Three Variations on the Plum Blossom" (梅花三弄), "Memories of an Old Friend" (憶故人), and "Drunken Elation" (酒狂). To enhance this afternoon’s literati music program, Anita Wong, Curator of UMAG and a connoisseur of Chinese tea, will offer participants freshly brewed premium Chinese teas from her private collection and impart insights on the appreciation of Chinese tea.

OVERVIEW:
Since our tour to the Geological Museum at the University of Hong Kong, members have looked forward to viewing these rocks in their natural setting. With the cool weather of January, it is now possible to organize a tour to one of Hong Kong’s geoparks under the guidance of two experts in the field, Professor Chan Lung-sang and Dr. Wong Fook-yee.

Geopark is a natural area encompassing sites of scientific importance for geological reasons and thereby valuable for its ecological and cultural factors. Following global trends of integrated conservation, Hong Kong geoparks serve to conserve, educate and offer sustained development of the unique landforms.

Sai Kung Rock Region is one of Hong Kong’s geoparks with hexagonal rock columns that were formed 140 million years ago from huge amounts of volcanic ash spurted out from volcanic eruptions. Unlike others in the world, the hexagonal rock columns in Sai Kung are acidic silica-rich rhyolitic volcanic rocks. Spanning an area of over 100 square kilometers of land and sea, their average diameter is 1.2 meters, making them much larger than similar ones in other parts of the world.

We will visit the High Island Geo-Area that is located within the Sai Kung East Country Park. Beginning with a tour of the Geopark Visitor Centre, we will walk along the High Island Geo-Trail to see the interesting geological features of the area, including faults, folds, twisted rock columns and dyke intrusions. The numerous rock formations from small stones to huge monoliths in the East Dam are nature’s own artwork!

After lunch, we will visit Lions Nature Education Centre and its garden with a walkway lined with rocks of different sizes, shapes and colors. There is also a small indoor gallery showcasing the Centre’s rock collection.

RESOURCE PERSONS:
Professor Chan Lung-sang is an expert in Hong Kong geology. He received his bachelor degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and his PhD from University of California at Berkeley. He taught for 10 years in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and 15 years in the Science Faculty of The University of Hong Kong. His leadership in teaching was recognized when he was awarded The University of Hong Kong’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2009. A true believer of experiential learning, he has led many field trips around Hong Kong for the public and education sectors.

Dr. Wong Fook-yee is an avid hiker – a most suitable trait for someone who goes to great lengths to look at rocks and rock formations. He was formerly the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong (Country and Marine Park Branch), and is now Honorary Associate Professor of the Geography Department at The University of Hong Kong.

ITINERARY:
9:00 Assemble outside Romantic Hotel (理想酒店), next to Kowloon Tong MTR Station for coach ride to Sai Kung Country Park
9:45 High Island Geo Trail – High Island Reservoir East Dam, volcanic rock columns
12:00 Lunch at Sai Kung
14:00 Lions Nature Education Centre
17:00 Return to Kowloon Tong MTR Station

A special home visit with Chris Hall, an established textile collector, is scheduled for this month. Chris first arrived in Hong Kong when his father was appointed assistant bursar of The University of Hong Kong in 1955. He studied History at Cambridge University and has worked in Hong Kong as a CPA specializing in tax accounting for many years. For over twenty years, Chris has also traveled the world in the pursuit of antique Chinese textiles. With discerning eyes and deep passion, he has assembled a major collection of rare and exquisite Chinese textiles, some dating from 500 B.C. He has also written a very comprehensive book on the topic. The Chris Hall Collection is world-renowned and has been exhibited at major museums worldwide.

Hall’s apartment is filled with Asian and European antiques and art objects that reflect his love and appreciation of colours and antiquities from different cultures. During our visit, he will show us the specially designed room built to control the humidity, light and temperature for the optimum storage of these fragile antique textiles in order to preserve them for posterity. We shall also see how he ingeniously and tastefully gives new life to his antique furniture by putting them to practical use in a modern international lifestyle.

Among the artists in Hong Kong, Chu Hing Wah held a unique position as a psychiatric nurse in the Castle Peak Psychiatric Hospital and the Siu Lam Hospital for the Mentally Handicapped until his retirement eight years ago. Twenty five years of work in this specialized field has given Chu the rare opportunity to observe the primal and sensitive instincts of human nature.

Born in 1935 in Guangdong, China, Chu received his degree in Psychiatric Nursing from London’s Maudsley Hospital in 1965. Simultaneous to his work in the psychiatric field, he completed a certificate course in art and design at the Extramural Studies of The University of Hong Kong from 1972 to 1974. He became a member of the Visual Arts Society in 1974, and the Hong Kong Sculptors Association in 1982 and was Chairman of the Visual Arts Society from 1983 to 1986.

Since his retirement in 1992, Chu has become a full-time painter and sculptor exhibiting widely throughout Asia. He received the Urban Council Fine Arts Award in 1989 and was selected as “Painter of the Year” by Hong Kong Artists’ Guild in 1992 and in 1994, was awarded a scholarship for art research in New York by the Asian Cultural Council. He is currently Honorary Advisor to the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

In conjunction with a guided tour of his works currently on exhibit at UMAG, Chu will share a slide and video presentation about his life and art. Chu also encourages each participant to pose him a question for an interesting and interactive session.