HKJC Point-to-Point Site Specific Art Project encourages young people's participation in arts

4 May 2010

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has for many years been a keen supporter of local arts and cultural development, especially initiatives that can foster young people's interest in the arts.  In 2009, through its Charities Trust, it provided HK$7.13 million in funding to The Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (HKYAF) to set up "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Point-to-Point Site Specific Art Project" and organise it for three years.

A ceremony to celebrate the start of the second year's programme was held today (4 May) at the Star Ferry Piers in Central.  Young people participating in the project have been guided by artists to create "site-specific" artwork and contemporary dance pieces portraying features of their local districts, which will then be displayed and performed at various venues and shopping centres across the city.  This will also give the general public the chance to enjoy bold and exciting art in their neighbourhood.

Speaking at today's ceremony, the Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, noted that the Club had been supporting various HKYAF projects since 1995.  He said the Club endorsed HKYAF's idea of encouraging young people to explore their creativity through a dynamic and inspirational arts project of this nature, as it would nurture the younger generation's artistic interests.

"By helping young people discover the history, culture and characteristics of different areas of Hong Kong, we hope this project will enhance their concern and sense of belonging to the community," Mr So explained.

Among examples of the Club's strong commitment to local arts and cultural development are the construction of The Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), including the funding of a HKAPA performing arts outreach programme called "Behind the Scenes", which aims to bring about a greater appreciation of performing arts among primary and secondary school students.  The Club has also been a long-time supporter of the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival and, in addition to providing rolling funding grants, sponsors a free matinee performance for more than 1,000 students each year, to help them gain appreciation of a world-class cultural performance.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Point-to-Point Site Specific Art Project adopts a site-specific installation art approach, which links the creation of art pieces with different exhibition venues and the characteristics and cultural background of its local community, seeking to inspire students' creativity through their surroundings.

This year, some 20 artists have worked closely with 1,000 students and teachers from over 70 schools to create more than 30 art pieces that reflect the characteristics of their respective communities.  Exhibitions displaying these pieces will be held in eight venues this month, namely Cattle Depot in To Kwa Wan; Sau Mau Ping Shopping Centre in Kwun Tong; Stanley Plaza in Southern District; Star Ferry Pier in Central; Lung Cheung Mall in Wong Tai Sin; Western Market in Sheung Wan; The Arcade in Cyberport; and CityWalk in Tsuen Wan.

At each of these exhibitions, visitors can experience the unlimited potential of art - for instance, wooden animal sculptures at Central's Star Ferry Pier; two mobile luxury roof houses in the Cattle Depot to explore the social issue of poverty; and a giant sculpture created on site by 100 young people at Cyberport.

Moreover, five professional choreographers have guided over 150 dancers from different local schools to create six site-specific dance pieces, which will be performed at the To Kwa Wan, Stanley, Central and Tsuen Wan events.

Details of Exhibition Series:

** Public weekend workshops will be held on 8 and 9 May from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at Cyberport. Bookings are available for groups and individuals in family units. Admission is free.

Details of Dance Performances:

Guided tours start 15 minutes before each performance, and master classes will be held on-site from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.

For more information about The Hong Kong Jockey Club Point-to-Point Site Specific Art Project, please visit: www.hkyaf.com

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.