Hong Kong Arts Development Council presents Make & Believe the Second Exhibition of ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0
Examine the notions of illusion and reality through theatrical performances
From 13 to 28 January 2024
Free Registration
Please click here to download press release, high-res images,
curatorial statement and artist biographies
(Hong Kong, 12 January 2024) Following the success of its first exhibition Fill in the Blanks, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) proudly presents Make & Believe, the second exhibition of ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0. Curated and produced by Orlean Lai, Make & Believe is a performative exhibition that examines the notions of illusion and reality through theatrical display, encompassing a spectrum of sounds, performances and scenography. Make & Believe will run from 13 to 28 January 2024 at F Hall Studio in Tai Kwun, Central.
Developed from the theatrical-installation performance We are for real in 2023, Make & Believe transposes the narrative into an exhibition space, inviting audiences to roam free amidst theatrical components to create a personal and intimate experience. The exhibition offers a multi-sensory encounter, embodying the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) which seamlessly integrates objects, scenography, lighting and soundscapes to foster the active observation of audiences. Unlike the conventional story-driven theatre space, audiences are liberated from the unidirectional visual perspective of the spectator seats and are subsumed into an all-around narrative spectacle, eradicating the distinctions between fiction and reality as the line between theatre and exhibition blurs.
Ms Orlean Lai, Curator and Producer of Make & Believe, said “In the exhibition, we intend to reference to some conceptual framework and mode of viewing from theatre, and make appropriation of them into exhibition. We want to invite audiences to take part in a collective 'conspiracy', immersing themselves in the scenography of the exhibition where performers are absent, and rediscover the independent performative qualities of scenery, installations, lighting and soundscapes through the collation of multiple elements, piecing together fragments of existence and non-existence, reality, 'the truth' and imagination. Through different senses, to delve deeper into this 'staged exhibition' and enjoy the meticulously crafted scenography.”
Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive of HKADC, said “Arts tech is the development trend. Through ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0, we want to develop a new and broader platform for artistic pursuits. Make & Believe, a blend of theatre performance and multi-disciplinary creation, will certainly bring a unique arts experience to the audience.”
Collaborating artists include Tung Wing-hong (mechanical installation), Ng Tsz-kwan (mechanical installation), Ho Sin-tung (text/painting/installation), Human Wu (scenography), Lam Lai (music/soundscape) and Lau Ming-hang (lighting). For a holistic experience, the exhibition also includes special sessions of two sets of programmes with music performance and live performance. For the music performance, musicians will perform a brand-new composition by Lam Lai, that will blend with the soundscape installations to render a fascinating listening experience. Creative performers from We are for real will come together in live performance to unleash a new site-referential performance. These captivating moments will harmoniously guide audiences through the meticulously crafted artistic landscapes that make up the exhibition, embarking on unique artistic journeys.
Interested parties can register online for free to experience the unique work of the artists, that resonate with one another to form a cohesive whole and at the same time, preserve each creative voice.
List of artworks:
Mechanical Installation by Tung Wing-hong
Mechanical Installation by Ng Tsz-kwan
Tunnel Book Installation by Ho Sin-tung
Exhibition and Programme Details:
Make & Believe
| Date | 13 to 28 January 2024 (Closed on Mondays) |
| Time | 11:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Venue | F Hall Studio, Tai Kwun |
| Registration | https://www.art-mate.net/doc/71411 |
Music performance
During the music performance sessions, musicians would swap their positions in the hall to play in different spots. Often, only one musician would be visible to the audience. They would hear a myriad of sounds emanating from different directions around the hall, beckoning ambiguity.
| Date & Time |
13 January 2024 (Each session lasts for about 30 mins) 20 January 2024 (Each session lasts for about 30 mins) |
| Venue | F Hall Studio, Tai Kwun |
| Music/Soundscape | Lam Lai |
| Musician | Nazar Tabachyshyn (Accordion), Tiffany Au Kai-see (Bassoon) Wilson Chau Siu-hin (French Horn) |
| Deposit | HKD$ 50 (*Fully refundable upon attending the event) |
| Registration | https://www.art-mate.net/doc/71414 |
Live performance
From “black box” to “white box”, the performers harken to their own performing state, spatial construction, perspectives of viewing and interaction with the audience, in relation to these two very distinct kinds of sites. The performance reflects upon their personal experiences working across from theatre to gallery, unleashing a new site-referential performance.
| Date | 19, 20, 26 & 27 January 2024 |
| Venue | F Hall Studio, Tai Kwun |
| Time | 6:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Creative Performers | KT Yau Ka-hei, Anson Chan Wai-chung, Pearlmi Tam, Tung Chung-can |
| Deposit | HKD$ 50 (*Fully refundable upon attending the event) |
| Registration | https://www.art-mate.net/doc/71415 |
About ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0
To promote the arts tech development in Hong Kong, HKADC launched the first ARTS • TECH Exhibition in historical sites at Central Market, M7 (7 Mallory Street) and 618 Shanghai Street in 2022, bringing arts tech into the community and allowing the general public to immerse in real and virtual spaces for interactive arts experience. The first edition received overwhelming response with more than 40,000 participants and over 200 media coverage.
In light of the success, HKADC organised the ARTS • TECH Exhibition 2.0 this year with a larger scale in prominent locations. The opening exhibition Fill in the Blanks captivated audiences along the picturesque Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront from October to November 2023, reaching over a million audience. To continue this remarkable journey, the second exhibition Make & Believe will be held at F Hall Studio at Tai Kwun, aiming to offer visitors an immersive journey of exploration and discovery through its seamless integration of various artistic disciplines.
Make & Believe
Programme Partner -- Tai Kwun
About Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Established in 1995, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is a statutory body set up by the Government to support the broad development of the arts in Hong Kong. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and special projects. The mission of HKADC is to support and promote the development of 10 major art forms in literary arts, performing arts, visual arts as well as film and media arts in Hong Kong. Aiming to foster a thriving arts environment and enhance the quality of life of the public, HKADC is also committed to facilitating community-wide participation in arts and arts education, encouraging arts criticism, raising the standard of arts administration and contributing to policy research.
ARTS‧TECH Exhibition 2.0 information is available on the official website: https://arts-tech.hk/
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