Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po inspects Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po:
The Chairman of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Mr Justice David Lok, and members Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung conducted a site visit to Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po today (December 23) to learn more about the actual situation.
The Committee inspected various indoor and outdoor locations at Wang Fuk Court to gain a better understanding of the actual environment and conditions of the estate; the causes and circumstances that led to the fire and its rapid spread; the fire service installations and equipment used in the buildings; the materials used in building maintenance and renovation works; and construction safety matters.
The Chief Executive established the Committee and appointed Mr Justice Lok as the Chairman and Mr Chan and Dr Auyeung as members to review the causes and related issues of the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The Committee formally commenced work on December 19.
Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po inspects Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA launches three new exhibitions and mobile educational art bus
The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) today (December 23) unveils three new exhibitions based on its three major donations, showcasing the footprints of art master Wu Guanzhong around the world, intriguing figures from the Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, and folding fans from the Jingguanlou Collection, respectively. An educational art bus from the HKMoA will promote Wu's art to schools and engage with communities.
"Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship Thematic Exhibition Series: Wu Guanzhong: Encountering Landscapes" exhibition
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Wu (1919-2010) was a master of the Chinese and international art scene, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century art. He travelled around the world for sketching, leaving his footprints in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and America. The exhibition features precious sketches, ink and oil paintings by Wu, including "City Night" and "The Night of Oslo", which illustrate the dazzling nightscapes of metropolises, with almost half of the artworks being exhibited at the HKMoA for the first time after their donation to the museum, such as "A Foreign Landscape (II)". Wu was particularly fond of Hong Kong, believing that the city's fusion of East and West resonates deeply with his artistic pursuits. The exhibition also showcases "Victoria Harbour", a unique piece Wu created in the rain at the HKMoA in 2002, the only sketch he ever publicly painted, as well as "Bird Street", which he created in 1990, depicting the beauty of old streets in Hong Kong.
Inspired by Wu's ink painting "The Window's Eye", Hong Kong artist Flyingpig (Wong Wing-shan) created an immersive installation called "Light Entry". The work combines moving images with paintings to capture thousands of windows across public estates lighting up one by one at night, illustrating the humanistic sentiment behind the urban landscape.
To allow the public to appreciate the works of this art master, the HKMoA also launches the "Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship Education Series: Art Journey with Wu Guanzhong: Mobile Museum" educational art bus, which aims to visit over 140 local primary and secondary schools, as well as stations in transportation hubs, cultural venues and recreational spaces in various districts in the coming two years, promoting Wu's artistic vision and aesthetic principles through multimedia installations and interactive games.
"Mini-figures in Paintings" exhibition
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The exhibition invites audiences to appreciate the Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy from different perspectives, focusing on the diminutive and scantily outlined figures in Chinese landscape paintings. These fishermen, scholars, or travellers may seem insignificant, yet they are where the soul of the works lies. The exhibition explores their identities, stories, and cultural significance and incorporates animated elements to bring these figures to life. Highlight exhibits include Zha Shibiao's "The Fisherman" and Gong Xian's "Returning from Fishing".
"Fantastic Breeze: Selected Fans from the Jingguanlou Collection" exhibition
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A selection of over 150 folding fans from the Jingguanlou Collection is featured in the exhibition in two phases, complemented by Chinese paintings from the museum collection, leading visitors to appreciate the cultivated elegance of the Chinese literati. Highlights of the first phase include masterpieces by Northern and Southern School painters such as Ren Yi, Zhang Daqian, Pu Ru, Zhu Qizhan, Chao Shao-an, and more. The folding fan is an unparalleled art form that integrates poetry, calligraphy, painting, sealing, and carving, embodying graphic artistry and craftsmanship all in one fan. Through thoughtfully designed display methods, the exhibition overcomes challenges in displaying folding fans and highlights their dual-sided aesthetics with an exploration of their structural composition, offering fresh perspectives for audiences in appreciating this art form.
The admission to the three exhibitions is free. For details of the exhibitions and the mobile educational art bus, please visit the website at hk.art.museum.
Photo source: the official website of HKMoA
