Youth Arts Week
A Journey to the World of Arts x Technology

Organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), the 13^th Arts Ambassadors-in-School Scheme will present its first “Youth Arts Week” this August. Themed on “Arts x Technology”, the Youth Arts Week features a series of arts activities to allow participants to immerse in real and virtual spaces to experience the endless possibilities in the world of “Arts Tech”. 

This year marked the milestone of the HKADC’s flagship event --- the Arts Ambassadors-in-School Scheme after more than a decade of development. To commemorate this important moment, Mrs Tse Ling Kit-ching, Cherry, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, officiated the opening ceremony of Youth Arts Week yesterday with the company of HKADC’s Vice Chairman Dr Frankie Yeung and Chairman of Arts Promotion Committee Mr Andy Hei at Y-Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan. Also joining the occasion were Council Members Mr Kenneth Fok, Ms Lau Wai-ming and Chief Executive Ms Winsome Chow. The opening ceremony was broadcast simultaneously through streaming on Facebook Live with sign language interpretation to allow all walks of people to enjoy the event in real time. 

“Arts X Tech” Brings You an Unique Summer
Starting from today, Youth Arts Week will present a series of online and offline arts activities for arts ambassadors, their schoolmates, friends, family as well as the general public to explore the endless possibilities of “Arts Tech”.

Opening the Youth Arts Week is the ARCH@Youth Square “Arts x Technology” Interactive Exhibition (7-10 August). Themed on “Rural Art and Symbiosis”, artists Hao Lap-yan, Benjamin, Lazarus Chan, Hui Gi-wai, Echo and Lo Lai-lai, Natalie create the “NATURE” at Y Platform of Youth Square. Through innovative technology, the audience can relax in the world of flora and experience the nuanced changes of the plant cycle. Guided by docents, the audience can scan the physical artworks with mobile phones and observe nature’s fine details from the planting of paddy and the tillering of its shoots to the falling of its flowers. They can use their imagination to create their artworks and share with friends through online platforms. (Trailer: https://youtu.be/z8sGJG0yrY8). The exhibition is open for public participation. 

Finale programme -- D^4 – “Arts X Technology” Interactive Exhibition will be held from 17 to 22 August at Black Box, Tai Po Arts Centre. New media artist Lazarus Chan invites the audience to immerse in an imaginary three-dimensional space constructed by ambience sounds with wireless and physical interactive installations. The audience will savour how the advancement of technology creates an innovative arts experience when surrounded by a spectrum of sound and light. (Trailer: https://youtu.be/2RAFzNvp5Po)

Please refer to the attached for details of the exhibitions. For registration, please visit  https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/arch-arts-x-tech-interactive-exhibitionx-tickets-162633125055.

Lineup of Online Programmes for Enjoyment
In addition to the two “Arts x Technology” interactive exhibitions, the general public is invited to take part in art in the comfort of their homes. Staying cool during the summer heat, they can enjoy the following exciting online programmes:

	Ink Art and Digital Media Workshop Artist Wong Chung-yu makes a breakthrough in applying digital media to contemporary ink art and launches a free ink painting software “Pure Ink”. Taught by the artist, you can now enjoy ink paintings simply by downloading the “Pure ink” software. Date: 9 August 2021 (Monday) Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Streaming platform: AAiSS Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hkadc.aaiss)
	Original Musical Till We Meet Again All of us may have experienced the joy and pain of youth, ideals, being together and apart… Under the guidance of artists from the Hong Kong Arts and Education Alliance, a group of arts ambassadors passionate about musicals saw their skills in script writing, performance and stage production blossom through hard work and perseverance as they create their own story. Screening website: https://www.facebook.com/hkadc.aaiss
	Body Sculpture Exhibition Artist Jaffa Lam teaches arts ambassadors how to upcycle old toys or things into unique body installations through integrating traditional crafting techniques and electro-mechanical devices. Exhibition website: Secondary school https://airtplus.com/collections/the-13th-arts-ambassadors-in-school-scheme-arts-enhancement-course-sculpture-course-secondary-school Primary school https://airtplus.com/collections/the-13th-arts-ambassadors-in-school-scheme-arts-enhancement-course-sculpture-course-primary-school
	We Create, Amid the Pandemic Short Film and Animation Showcase Led by artist Chan Ho-lun, Fredie, 14 teams of arts ambassadors learn about script writing, conducting interviews, filming and post-production. Step by step, making their dreams come true. Themes of their works are diverse, including a mother’s wishes for her daughter, critique on the pursuit of the perfect body shape, strong conviction in learning Muay Thai, and uncertainty in future study plans. Screening platform: AAiSS Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hkadc.aaiss)

Arts Ambassadors-in-School Scheme
The Arts Ambassadors-in-School Scheme (AAiSS), organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, is a large-scale arts education programme. Since its launch in 2008, AAiSS has amassed an alumni of nearly 13,000 ambassadors from primary, secondary and special schools who demonstrate their artistic talents and potentials while inviting others to partake in the fun of creating arts, living out the cooperative spirit of “Live in Art, Thrive in Sharing”.

This year, AAiSS is undergoing a facelift change in its programmes. With a theme on “Arts x Technology”, AAiSS presents its first “Youth Arts Week” with an array of online and offline arts activities. Pointsman Art Creation is commissioned to organise two “Arts x Technology” interactive exhibitions with arts experiences certain to thrill and delight arts ambassadors, their family and friends and the general public. Youth Arts Week also features an array of online and physical arts workshops organised by local artists and arts groups. There are making of electronic musical instruments, designing Hong Kong-style neon signs, experiencing tie dyeing with plants, lyrics and literature works, and illustration.

In addition to the two “Arts x Technology” interactive exhibitions, the general public is welcome to participate in various arts activities free-of-charge by registering through online platforms. Free programmes include ink art and digital media workshop, musical, sculpture exhibition, short films and animation showcase. Please visit the website www.aaiss.hk for details on “Youth Arts Week”.

For photos of the event, please download at:
https://www.hkadc.org.hk/media/files/whatson/press release/2021/20210806_13thAAiSS_YAW.zip