Beat It 《打鑊金》: Decongestants for West-Kowloonization Series 西九化談實錄之打鑊金

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將有更多化談行動在此登陸!

More decongestant actions will be up coming....

新一炮《西九化談實錄》,將於「驚蟄」當晚(3月5日(星期一))慎重進行。「驚蟄」在香港習俗而言,祭白虎、打小人似乎是指定動作。C & G藝術單位邀請九位藝術家響應習俗,於當晚一起在屬於西九區的太子水渠道休憩處「打鑊金」。有別於習俗以木屐、拖鞋、高跟鞋作打小人儀式。參與「打鑊金」的藝術家會以金屬作為是次行動的關鍵創作媒介,希望「打」的話,都要打得「金」。「打鑊金」不一定是打得激烈,而是超越「打」、「攻擊」、「咒罵」的元素,希望以更創意的模式去發揮和超越「驚蟄」習俗發洩市公民「屈火」的極限,可能是更優雅、更集體、更針對、更爆炸、更挑釁、更會……

The upcoming version of “Decongestant” will be carefully launched at the night of the “insect awakening day” on 5th March, 2018 (Monday). In Hong Kong, villain beating and sending offerings to the white tiger god is the local custom on this specific day. To follow such tradition, C&G Artpartment is going to invite nine artists to “Beat It” in the sitting-out area of Nullah road. Other than using clogs, slippers, high-heels to beat up the villains, participating artists will make use of different “metal” elements for their art pieces. The ultimate goal is to go beyond merely “beating”, “attacking” or “cursing,” in order to develop more tools for Hongkongers to vent out our anger and frustrations. The outcome may be even more elegant, more specific, more explosive, more challenging …

策劃及統籌: C&G藝術單位

參與藝術家 + 紀錄拍檔: 陳寶鋒 & 陳穎斯+ / 、鄭怡敏(阿金) + 張嘉莉、葉惠龍 + 曹正川 & 陳一峯、梁展峰 + /、李碧琪 + /、李泰鉑 + /、拾貮少 (curated by brandon & donna) + /、余榮基 + 楊兆驎 & 許晉熙

現場創作時間: 2018年3月5日(星期一),農曆正月十八(驚蟄),晚上7:00 - 8:30

現場創作地點: 香港 九龍 太子 水渠道休憩處

文獻展覽日期: 2018年3月17日(星期六) 至2018年4月30日(星期一)

展覽時間: 逢星期四、五、六、日、一,下午2:00-7:00,(星期二、三及公眾假期休息)

展覽地點: 香港 九龍 太子 西洋菜南街222號 三字樓 C&G 藝術單位 (港鐵太子站B2出口,始創中心後)

Presented by: C & G Artpartment

Artists + Documentation Partners: CHAN Po Fung & CHAN Wing Sze + / , Gum CHENG Yee Man + Clara CHEUNG, IP Wai Lung + Wilf CHO & CHAN Yat Fung , Jeff LEUNG Chin Fung + / , LEE Pik Ki + /, LEE Tae Pak + /, Sub Yee Siu (curated by brandon & donna) + /, Rik YU Wing Kei + Benny YEUNG & Colin HUI

Time of On-site Activity: 7-8:30pm, 5 March, 2018 (Mon) (The Insect-Awakening Day)

Place of On-site Activity: Nullah Road Sitting-out Area, Prince Edward, KLN, HK

Documentation Exhibition Period: 17 March, 2018 (Sat) to 30 April, 2018 (Mon)

Exhibition Time: 2:00 - 7:00pm, Thursday to Monday, (Closed on Tue, Wed and Public Holiday)

Exhibition Address: C & G Artpartment, 3/F, 222 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Prince Edward, Kowloon, Hong Kong (Exit B2, Prince Edward MTR Station, Behind Pioneer Centre)

 

有關西九化談實錄 五 之 打鑊金| About Decongestants for West-Kowloonization V: Beat It (please roll down for English)

自2007年開始,C & G藝術單位曾策劃超過十個與西九文化區有關的藝術活動,當中大部是在西九現址舉行;自2005年開始,C & G亦參與不少其他單位在西九文化區舉辦的藝術活動。十多年來,親眼所見、親耳所聞、親身所試,西九所營造的由上而下的「高格調」藝術,一方面影響著香港(尤其政府)對藝術價值觀念,即藝術是投資工具;另一方面,西九的出現,影響著硬件建設的重要性凌駕軟件政策策略,即未有全盤文化藝術政策策略就先招標建館;又另一方面,西九的出現,未能積極帶動政府發展其附近九龍西區,甚至全香港的文化藝術生態;另另另一方面,西九作為回歸後第一隻大白象的出現,局內人對西九發展往往欲言又止、吞吞吐吐,彷彿有痰封喉此招成功拖延了十多二十年,促使政府對西九以外其他大白象工程,也一律採取封喉招數。還有,西九又將空降「故宮」,官員沾沾自喜自命封喉了得、滴水不漏;還還有,無須向公眾諮詢動用近乎千億公帑一意孤行的一地兩檢西九高速鐵路站。總之問題數之不盡……

就此,我們從「西九化」的香港「談」起。

《西九化談實錄》是一個以藝術家主導的長期藝術計劃,將不定期在九龍西區的不同公共空間或公私難辨的地點,進行不同主題的微型游擊式藝術活動,而活動大方向是維護香港本土文明、推廣本土文化特色、發展本土一(綠化)帶一(行人)路機遇,活動期間鼓勵藝術家在公眾場合創作,鼓勵民眾欣賞西九化以外的藝術創作行動,亦鼓勵有機的互動式參與、合作、談論。每次均會有特定主題,透過連串的活動,發揮藝術創作含蓄以外的力量,以直接訊息表達,把創作意念告訴民眾:其實可以「這樣」看事物的,其實西九化的香港還可以「那樣」。

藝術家不怕被問「做乜諗嘢」,只怕被問「做乜唔諗嘢」,我思故我在,在現今香港,藝術家可能是最知道自己是存在的其中一群。雖然近年「諗下」都會被指違反「基本法」,但趁還未算犯法,就與眾同樂,公諸同好,一齊諗下。

新一炮《西九化談實錄》,將於「驚蟄」當晚(3月5日(星期一))慎重進行。「驚蟄」在香港習俗而言,祭白虎、打小人似乎是指定動作。C & G藝術單位邀請九位藝術家響應習俗,於當晚一起在屬於西九區的太子水渠道休憩處「打鑊金」。有別於習俗以木屐、拖鞋、高跟鞋作打小人儀式。參與「打鑊金」的藝術家會以金屬作為是次行動的關鍵創作媒介,希望「打」的話,都要打得「金」。「打鑊金」不一定是打得激烈,而是超越「打」、「攻擊」、「咒罵」的元素,希望以更創意的模式去發揮和超越「驚蟄」習俗發洩市公民「屈火」的極限,可能是更優雅、更集體、更針對、更爆炸、更挑釁、更會……

「打鑊金」活動包括展演、互動、劇場等元素,過程中設有專人現場導賞環節,鼓勵民眾配合藝術家參與觀察、創作、分享、討論、po上網等等。活動進行期間,我們會進行拍照及 / 或錄像記錄,作日後文獻資料展覽展示用途,讓未能現場出席參與的民眾了解相關活動情況。

活動費用全免,文獻資料展覽展期由2018年3月17日至2018年4月30日,歡迎各界人士參觀。如有任何疑問,歡迎致電23909332查詢。

Having curated more than ten art activities related to the West Kowloon Cultural District ever since its establishment in 2007, C&G Artpartment has also participated in many art events organized by other units at this cultural-site-to-be. In the past decade, the kind of “high art” we have witnessed, heard and experienced in this “West Kowloon” has much influence on Hong Kong’s art development in many ways. On one hand, it has been shaping the aesthetic values of Hongkongers, especially the local government officials, in terms of evaluating artworks according to their market values for investment. On the other hand, the West Kowloon project has assured the preceding importance of hardware development over the software in policy making. The government has not devoted much more effort to help with the arts and cultural ecology in the area of Kowloon West, nor much more for the overall cultural scene in Hong Kong either. On the other hand of the other hand, while the West Kowloon project is the first white elephant developed after the handover, local cultural practitioners have not been able to critically speak up about it. Chest congestion often comes into place, when one starts to talk about this elephant. Treatment of such congestion has been successfully delayed for almost twenty years. Indeed, to delay important treatments and to consume, therefore, to eliminate, the energy of the civil society, has been the favorite tactic of the Hong Kong government for all its white elephant projects. While the development of the “Palace Museum” is condemned by the civil society due to the absence of any public consultation, the government officials are very proud of themselves being a good secret-keeper with sealed throats. The joint immigration checkpoint arrangement at West Kowloon Station is another example to demonstrate how the throat is being forcefully sealed in order to treat the congestion symptom. 

Millions of problems have appeared ever since….

Last year, C&G proposed a series of “Decongestant” art actions in response to the “West-Kowloonization.” “Decongestants for West-Kowloonization” is a long-term art project, driven by artistic practices. It takes place irregularly at public or semi-public space within Kowloon West. These micro guerilla art activities will attempt to safeguard Hong Kong’s local civilization, to promote local cultural characteristics and to develop the one (green) belt and one (pedestrian) road for the locals. Participating artists are encouraged to make art in public area, while the public is welcome to appreciate art outside the designed zone of West-Kowloonization. Besides, interactive participation, collaboration and discussion are all encouraged. There will be a particular theme for each “Decongestant.” The series of art activities each time will showcase the subtle but powerful energy in art making and will directly exhibit the artistic ideas to the visitors, in order to open up the scoop under West-Kowloonization.

Artists are often asked: “why are you thinking so much?” However, they may not be comfortable to hear, “Why don’t you think?” Perhaps, I think therefore I am. Contemporary artists in Hong Kong nowadays probably know very well they are amongst this group of “thinking beings.” When it is still legal to “think,” we should take the opportunity to joyfully share more our thoughts with everyone in this city. 

The upcoming version of “Decongestant” will be carefully launched at the night of the “insect awakening day” on 5th March, 2018 (Monday). In Hong Kong, villain beating and sending offerings to the white tiger god is the local custom on this specific day. To follow such tradition, C&G Artpartment is going to invite nine artists to “Beat It” in the sitting-out area of Nullah road in Kowloon West. Other than using clogs, slippers, high-heels to beat up the villains, participating artists will make use of different “metal” elements for their art pieces. The ultimate goal is to go beyond merely “beating”, “attacking” or “cursing,” in order to develop more tools for Hongkongers to vent out our anger and frustrations. The outcome may be even more elegant, more specific, more explosive, more challenging …

“Beat It” on-site event will include temporary installations, interactive performances and other performative elements. Audience is welcome to visit, to observe, to make his/her own works in response, to share, to discuss etc. We will have photography and video documentation during the happening event, for a documentation exhibition afterward, in order to allow more audience members to have a better overview of all the art activities.

Documentation exhibition will take place from 17th March to 30th April 2018. All the activities will be free of charge for public. For enquiries, please contact 23909332.