Hong Kong Culture CentreLeisure and Cultural Services Department
Hong Kong Cultural Centre 35th Anniversary Celebration Programme: ‘Rising Phoenix of a Hundred Birds’ Exhibition
| Date: | 17.7 - 11.8.2024 (Concluded Successfully) |
| Time: | 9am - 11pm |
| Venue: | Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre |
| Free Admission |
Prelude
“According to legend, the Phoenix’s habitat is a land of abundant wealth and treasures. The Phoenix is immortal and even if it dies, it will be reborn with dazzling brilliance… The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a prime venue for performing arts and cultural exchange for Hong Kong and overseas artists alike, developing the spiritual life of Hong Kong citizens. It is truly a hub of Hong Kong’s cultural treasures, and naturally the Phoenix’s habitat.” – CHUNG Tai-fu, artist
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) was inaugurated on 8 November 1989. Nested besides the Victoria Harbour, the venue is well known for its iconic steep curved profile. From an aerial view, it resembles a giant bird with its wings fully stretched, poised to fly high. Under the theme of performing arts, visual artist CHUNG Tai-fu created his “Golden Phoenix” sculptural art to echo with the HKCC’s mission in promoting local arts and culture. The commissioned work was finished in the 5th anniversary of the HKCC and has since been displayed at the foyer. The sculpture is an amalgamation of traditional Chinese wood carving techniques for gilded buddha statues with modern forms of expression. CHUNG used pure gold and silver foils for his creation. Pure gold symbolised the perpetual cultural significance of Hong Kong, while silver foils oxidised over time, resembling an act of breathing to exhibit the power of life of the Golden Phoenix. Over the years, “Golden Phoenix” has witnessed the transformation of the HKCC into a cultural landmark of Asia’s world city. Equipped with professional and top-quality technical facilities and support, the HKCC has not only provided an important platform for staging outstanding international artists and magnificent large-scale productions, but also served as a cradle for nurturing local artists, facilitating them to showcase their original creations. The venue has been playing a significant role in fostering cultural exchange between the East and the West and enriching the people’s cultural life.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the HKCC, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is collaborating with the First Initiative Foundation to co-present the “Rising Phoenix of a Hundred Birds” Exhibition based on the theme of the phoenix as one of the celebration programmes. The concept of interweaving traditional Chinese paper craft with new media technology arts epitomizes the limitless possibilities of artistic creation at the HKCC. We hope the HKCC as the first-rate cultural landmark of Hong Kong will continue to connect both established and emerging artists, inspire boundless creativity, and offer audiences diversified, innovative and inspirational experiences in performing arts.
About ‘Rising Phoenix of a Hundred Birds’
Through exquisite paper artistry, the exhibition showcases the dynamic beauty and diversity of birds, symbolizing freedom, vitality, creativity, and the cultural richness of Hong Kong.
The exhibition employs paper art to express reverence for traditional Chinese craftsmanship while pursuing technical innovation within tradition. To provide an unforgettable experience, augmented reality (AR) technology is integrated into the exhibition, transforming passive viewing into active exploration for audiences.
Visitors can enjoy lifelike animated birds flying through the lobby of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, seamlessly blending the physical and digital worlds for a truly memorable experience. It attracts viewers of all ages and delivers memorable, immersive experiences that enrich the overall appreciation of the exhibition.
About the artist Victor Wong
Victor Wong, an award-winning cross-media artist, is acclaimed for his distinctive handling of new media technology art and visual effects in films. His work spans digital animation, film, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), public art sculptures, installations, and more recently, AI-generated ink paintings by robots.
With over 30 years of experience in digital media, Victor has contributed visual effects to over 120 feature films, epic games, and numerous TV commercials in Hong Kong, China, Japan, and the US. His creations have earned him multiple local and international awards in design and production, such as the New York Film Festival Awards, Tokyo JIAA Awards, Hong Kong Film Awards, and Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards.
Formerly serving as a digital media consultant for Hong Kong Cyberport, Victor was honoured as one of Hong Kong's Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2005. Presently, he holds positions on various committees, including the Hong Kong Film Development Council Fund Vetting Committee, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Design, Marketing & Licensing Services Advisory Committee, the Hong Kong Museum Advisory Committee, and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Education Committee.
About First Initiative Foundation
Established in 2010, First Initiative Foundation (FIF) is a registered charity that supports and organises local initiatives to benefit the arts, education, community welfare, and promotion of Hong Kong’s talent and unique culture on the world stage. FIF is committed to the value of giving and uplifting the best of Hong Kong.
FIF’s current initiatives include scholarships in various disciplines for outstanding Hong Kong students both locally and abroad, mentorship-based projects including masterclasses with international artists and artist-in-residence programmes, projects that preserve and celebrate local traditional crafts and cultural heritage, as well as unique educational outreach programmes in the arts and sciences.