"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st Venice Biennale Unveils

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st Venice Biennale unveils

The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) organised "Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" as a Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) to present the artworks of Hong Kong artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui. In its first curation of Hong Kong Exhibition at the Venice Biennale, the HKMoA adopting the musical symbol "Fermata" as the curatorial theme engaged in dialogue with "In Minor Keys", the theme of the Venice Biennale this edition, extending the mission of "connecting art to everyone" and bringing Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West culture and life experiences to the international stage. The exhibition will run from today (May 9) to November 22.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held on May 8 (Venice Time), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law said: "Venice Biennale is the world's oldest international art exhibition. For over 130 years, this prestigious event has drawn art lovers from every corner of the globe. Hong Kong has been proud to participate as a Collateral Event since 2001- one of our flagship overseas art programmes, supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Over the past 25 years, this platform has not only showcased the excellence of our artists, but has also become a vital channel for sharing Hong Kong's rich stories with the world."

"This year marks the beginning of our country's 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. In alignment with this national direction, Hong Kong is committed to fostering greater artistic and cultural exchanges between the Chinese Mainland and countries around the world. It is in this light that our participation in the Venice Biennale carries special significance," Miss Law added.

The Chairman of HKADC, Mr Kenneth Fok,expressed that HKADC was delighted to collaborate with the HKMoA to present Hong Kong artists' outstanding creations to the international arts community. The partnership not only strengthened the local institutional ties, but also enhanced the visibility and influence of Hong Kong arts on the global stage. Mr Fok expected that through this exhibition, more audiences from around the world would have a deeper appreciation of Hong Kong artists' creativity and increased international exchange could be fostered.

Other officiating guests included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan and the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok.

An established media artist, Kingsley Ng, is known for his poetic, site-specific installations that extend the viewer's perceptions of life. His works have been presented extensively in notable exhibitions locally and internationally. He draws inspiration from "hanging laundry", a common everyday scenery in Venice and Hong Kong for his creation in this exhibition. He has also specially recorded and incorporated the unique night-time sounds of Hong Kong into the multimedia installations, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate the tenderness of transient moments amid the rush of city life.

A promising emerging artist, Angel Hui, is skilled at integrating traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary artistic language. She has invited embroiderers from Suzhou to craft millennia-old embroidery onto ordinary plastic bags in Hong Kong, thereby incorporating national Intangible Cultural Heritage into multimedia installations. She has also collaborated with traditional metalsmiths to create handcrafted iron window grilles in Hong Kong and Venetian styles, with shifting shadows casting onto the walls of an old Venetian house as natural light filters through.

The Hong Kong exhibition covers five installations across the courtyard and four gallery rooms, showcasing Ng's works, "Sometimes, There Are Clouds in Puddles", "Sky Well", "Laundry Nocturne", and Hui's "Drifting Sanctuary" and "I Would Like to Open a Window for You".

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the HKADC, and co-organised by the HKMoA and the HKADC. It will be held in Venice, Italy (Campo della Tana, Castello 2126, 30122) from May 9 to November 22. For details of the exhibition, please visit hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/fermata-hk-in-venice.html.

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Kingsley Ng's artwork "Laundry Nocturne". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Angel Hui's artwork "I Would Like to Open a Window for You". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Angel Hui's artwork "Drifting Sanctuary". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Kingsley Ng's artwork "Sky Well". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Kingsley Ng's artwork "Sometimes, There Are Clouds in Puddles". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Hong Kong artist Angel Hui and her artwork "I Would Like to Open a Window for You". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows Hong Kong artist Kingsley Ng and his artwork "Laundry Nocturne". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy runs from today (May 9) to November 22. Photo shows (from right) the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Dr Maria Mok; participating artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui; and the Curator (Modern and Hong Kong Art) of the HKMoA, Ms Prudence Ma. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony of "Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in Italy was held yesterday (Venice time May 8). Photo shows (from left) participating artist Angel Hui; the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Dr Maria Mok; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Kenneth Fok; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and participating artist Kingsley Ng. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organises Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. A total of 20 Customs YES members visited Macao. Through visits to the platform for commercial and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, historical and cultural heritage sites, and local customs enforcement facilities, members gained a comprehensive understanding of Macao's unique advantages and hub functions in the country's overall opening-up. Members also participated in the 36th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact Points Meeting to deepen their knowledge of international customs co-operation and frontier enforcement developments.

To strengthen interactive exchanges between the youth of Hong Kong and Macao, the delegation first participated in a Portuguese egg tart baking workshop alongside members of "Jovens Protectores do Original", the youth programme of Macao Customs, to experience Macao's distinctive culinary culture and to forge friendships. The delegation subsequently visited the Maritime Enforcement Department of the Macao Customs Service and toured its fleet to gain insights into Macao Customs' enforcement work in safeguarding maritime security, conducting marine patrols, and combating smuggling.

To enhance members' understanding of Macao's strategic positioning as "One Centre, One Platform and One Base", the delegation visited the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform to learn about the development of economic and trade co-operation between the country and Portuguese-speaking nations, as well as Macao's bridging role in fostering Sino-Portuguese economic, trade, and cultural exchanges and co-operation. As this year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the delegation also visited General Ye Ting's Former Residence to learn about the heroic deeds of the revolutionary predecessor, and modern Chinese history, thereby fostering their affection for and sense of belonging to the country. In addition, members toured cultural landmarks including the Ruins of St. Paul's, the Mount Fortress, and Rua do Cunha, experiencing firsthand the profound cultural heritage blending Chinese and Western influences in Macao.

Making full use of its capacity as the WCO Vice-Chair for the A/P region, Hong Kong Customs actively facilitated youth engagement on the global stage by specially arranging for the delegation to participate in the 36th WCO A/P Regional Contact Points Meeting held in Macao. During the welcoming reception of the meeting, Customs YES members assisted in receiving foreign guests and, for the first time, worked with a Macao youth representative to serve as masters of ceremonies. The youths from both sides demonstrated confidence and dedication in front of customs delegates across the Asia-Pacific region, telling the good stories of contemporary China and Hong Kong on the international stage.

Customs YES will continue to organise diversified Mainland and international exchange activities in alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the relevant policy directions set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. These initiatives aim to help young people broaden their global horizons, enhance their understanding of the development positioning of both the country and Hong Kong, and encourage them to proactively equip themselves, leverage their strengths, and actively integrate into and serve the overall development of the nation.

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members participating in the 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting and interacting with a foreign guest. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows a Customs YES member being interviewed at the 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows a Customs YES member serving as master of ceremonies at the welcoming reception of the 36th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting, alongside a Macao youth representative. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members visiting General Ye Ting's Former Residence. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members visiting the Ruins of St. Paul's. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members visiting the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform to learn about the development of economic and trade co-operation between the country and Portuguese-speaking countries. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members and members of "Jovens Protectores do Original" visiting the Maritime Enforcement Department of Macao Customs and touring its fleet. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organised the Customs YES Youth International Engagement Tour to Macao on October 11 and 12. Photo shows Customs YES members participating in a Portuguese egg tart baking workshop alongside members of "Jovens Protectores do Original". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases