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Jay Lau's 'vA! Residency' Exhibition Explores Imagined History of Birdwood Block with AI and Art

HK

Jay Lau's 'vA! Residency' Exhibition Explores Imagined History of Birdwood Block with AI and Art
HK

HK

Jay Lau's 'vA! Residency' Exhibition Explores Imagined History of Birdwood Block with AI and Art

2026-03-12 19:20 Last Updated At:03-13 12:38

Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre showcases new prints and installations by artist Jay Lau

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) of the Art Promotion Office is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau, who used archival photos of the Old Victoria Barracks and applied image-editing software and AI generation technology for his creations.

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The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows Lau creating works during his residency at vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows Lau creating works during his residency at vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the prints and installations displayed in vA!'s public spaces. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the prints and installations displayed in vA!'s public spaces. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a work from the series "Translucent Curtains". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a work from the series "Translucent Curtains". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the installation "Non-existent Rubble", fabricating a fragment that resembles rubble left behind from Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the installation "Non-existent Rubble", fabricating a fragment that resembles rubble left behind from Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Rubbings of Traces". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Rubbings of Traces". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the artwork "Scenery Outside the Window". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the artwork "Scenery Outside the Window". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery", presenting the artist's imagined domestic interior of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery", presenting the artist's imagined domestic interior of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows one of the woodblocks from the series "Fictional Scenery", displayed across different floors of vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows one of the woodblocks from the series "Fictional Scenery", displayed across different floors of vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a book from the series "Transferred Diary", which uses image transfer techniques to depict the children's playground next to vA!, formerly the site of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a book from the series "Transferred Diary", which uses image transfer techniques to depict the children's playground next to vA!, formerly the site of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the Head of the Art Promotion Office, Miss Apo Wu (centre); the Curator (Exchange & Extension) of the Art Promotion Office, Ms Leona Yu (left); and Lau (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the Head of the Art Promotion Office, Miss Apo Wu (centre); the Curator (Exchange & Extension) of the Art Promotion Office, Ms Leona Yu (left); and Lau (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Grade I historic building housing vA! was formerly Cassels Block, which was built in the early 20th century as a married officers' quarters. Adjacent to it once stood its "twin" building, Birdwood Block, which resembled it in appearance and function. Both buildings were part of the old barracks. Birdwood Block's site has been converted into a children's playground.

During his residency at vA!, Lau spent six months crafting a parallel reality in which Birdwood Block still exists. Drawing on archival photos as a foundation, he constructed its surrounding landscape and domestic interior by employing an AI image generator, and transformed them into print series "Fictional Scenery" and "Reversed Scenery". The installation "Non-existent Rubble", casts in concrete and fabricates fragments that resemble the rubble left behind from Birdwood Block. These works are distributed across different floors of vA!, inviting visitors to explore the forgotten past of this historic building and imagine the infinite possibilities that could have arisen at pivotal moments in history.

The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and is organised by vA!. It runs from March 12 to October 12 at vA! (7A Kennedy Road, Central). Admission is free. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at www.apo.hk/en/web/apo/va_residency_birdwood_block.html.

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows Lau creating works during his residency at vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows Lau creating works during his residency at vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the prints and installations displayed in vA!'s public spaces. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the prints and installations displayed in vA!'s public spaces. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a work from the series "Translucent Curtains". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a work from the series "Translucent Curtains". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the installation "Non-existent Rubble", fabricating a fragment that resembles rubble left behind from Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the installation "Non-existent Rubble", fabricating a fragment that resembles rubble left behind from Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Rubbings of Traces". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Rubbings of Traces". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the artwork "Scenery Outside the Window". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the artwork "Scenery Outside the Window". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery", presenting the artist's imagined domestic interior of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery", presenting the artist's imagined domestic interior of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows one of the woodblocks from the series "Fictional Scenery", displayed across different floors of vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows one of the woodblocks from the series "Fictional Scenery", displayed across different floors of vA!. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a book from the series "Transferred Diary", which uses image transfer techniques to depict the children's playground next to vA!, formerly the site of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (vA!) is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a book from the series "Transferred Diary", which uses image transfer techniques to depict the children's playground next to vA!, formerly the site of Birdwood Block. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows a print from the series "Reversed Scenery". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the Head of the Art Promotion Office, Miss Apo Wu (centre); the Curator (Exchange & Extension) of the Art Promotion Office, Ms Leona Yu (left); and Lau (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is staging the "vA! Residency - Incising the Matrix: If Birdwood Block..." exhibition from today (March 12), featuring prints and installations by Hong Kong artist Jay Lau. Photo shows the Head of the Art Promotion Office, Miss Apo Wu (centre); the Curator (Exchange & Extension) of the Art Promotion Office, Ms Leona Yu (left); and Lau (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Housing expresses condolences over passing of Dr Donald Liao

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, today (March 13) expressed sorrow over the passing of the former Secretary for Housing, the first Director of Housing, and the former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, and extends her deepest condolences to his family.

Dr Liao was the first Director of Housing from 1973 to 1980 and the Secretary for Housing from 1980 to 1985.

Ms Ho said, "I met Dr Liao for the first time when we were filming the documentary series which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the HA. My colleagues and I were instantly impressed by his warmth and care for the younger generations amid robust exchanges on public housing, architecture and design, as well as community planning.

"As the pioneer of the Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong, Dr Liao established the subsidised sale housing system to facilitate not only the turnover of public rental housing, but also encourage upward mobility for the grassroots families. At his young age, he took charge of the entire development projects of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wah Fu Estate, where he had placed particular emphasis on the integration of public spaces, ancillary facilities and natural environments in public housing designs. Dr Liao's career journey in public housing has been an inspiration to our team and he will remain our role model as we continue to strive our best in the design of public housing.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Donald Liao and would like to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Housing Bureau, the HA, and the Housing Department."

Source: AI-found images

Source: AI-found images

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