The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) proudly presented the multi-facet of Hong Kong architecture at the 11th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition on 12 September 2008 (Venice time).

The exhibition, entitled “Fabrica Cultura (Culture Fabricate)”, is the manifestation of architecture in a spectrum of cultural aspects and practices. Under the joint curatorial direction of Prof Desmond Hui (architect cum cultural scholar) and Prof Lee Ou-fan, Leo (scholar cum writer/critics), the exhibition will explore the idea of “Fabrica Cultura” within six categories: object, building, landscape, city, media and text.

To mark this important occasion, Mrs Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; Dr Ronald Lu, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and Mr Louis Yu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council officiated at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Mrs Lau applauded the creativity of the Hong Kong exhibition which challenged visitors’ own concept of architecture and presented them with fresh and impactful ideas. She was also interested to see the Hong Kong architects’ presentation of creative ideas to improve people’s quality of living.  “It is indeed our pursuit of better quality of living that has propelled our unlimited creativity to develop new ideas and designs and put things on drawing board into reality. It is such creativity that has driven our architectural sector to become one of the front and foremost in Asia and one of the leading sectors in our creative industries,” she said.

Also presiding at the occasion, Mr Louis Yu, Chief Executive of ADC, praised the tireless efforts of the curators and exhibitors. "Architecture is not confined to buildings. It is a cultural manifestation of a city… Our participation in the Architecture Biennale forms a new benchmark of success of placing yet another cultural facet of Hong Kong firmly on the international map."

Dr Ronald Lu, President of the HKIA, said, “From our exhibition, visitors are able to appreciate the idea of Hong Kong architecture as cultural imagination and creative manifestation. The exhibitors include not only architects and designers but also photographers, performers, writers and critics, who come together to present different salient aspects and practices in Hong Kong and share a common passion to promote Hong Kong architecture.”

When introducing the creative concept of the exhibition, curators Prof Desmond Hui and Prof Leo Lee presented their vision. Through the combined efforts of the nine participating groups, they would like to present a moving mosaic or tapestry woven. “We believe that architecture and design, even as a form of ‘creative industry’, can be a truly creative act and serve a more positive purpose. We want to rescue Hong Kong architecture from the doldrums of shapeless high-rises and ‘non-buildings’.”

Nine groups of exhibitor, comprising architects, designers, photographers, performers and writer/critics, have made their presence to show their interpretations of architecture as cultural manifestation.

Following the opening ceremony, a guided tour was hosted by the curators and exhibitors explaining their work and details. From the lineament of Hong Kong harbour to the wandering home and accidental urbanism, audience from the world were able to have a new interpretation of architecture in Hong Kong.

To facilitate discussion and exchanges with overseas counterparts, a forum "The Re-making of Hong Kong" was held today at the exhibition site. The forum was chaired by Prof Desmond Hui and Prof Leo Lee, with speakers including Mr Trevor Boddy(architectural critic, Vancouver, Canada), Prof Ralph Lerner (Dean of Architecture, University of Hong Kong) and Dr Charles Merewether (art historian, writer and curator).

The forum brings together a group of distinguished speakers – architects, artists, theorists, historians, critics, educators and curators – to further explore the theme ‘architecture beyond buildings’ as expressed by the Hong Kong exhibition.  The title “The Re-making of Hong Kong” poses the question of how the city (Hong Kong) can be understood, re-interpreted and finally re-made (re-fabricated) in the context of architecture presented/re-presented as cultural imaginations and manifestations.

The ADC and HKIA made its first debut in the Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition in 2006. The exhibition was able to attract more than 24,000 audiences.

This year, "Fabrica Cultura (Culture Fabricate): HK in Venice" will take place from 14 September to 23 November 2008 with details as below: -

Open to public: 14 September – 23 November
Venue: Arensale – Campo della Tana, Castello 2126 – 30122, Venice
Website: http://www.venicebiennale.hk/vb2008/