Artistic Interpretation of Incense Burning: a Medium for Cultural Continuity in Hong Kong

Recording sound is a crucial approach within the ethnographic practice to comprehend and archive incense use in contemporary Hong Kong society. The most common form uses burning incense products as a medium to establish communication between humans and deities, current generations and ancestors. The sonic environment in the context of burning incense embodies our connectivity with the natural world, which we perceive, recognize, and immerse in traditional festival activities. Such sounds narrate the spiritual communion inheritance for thousands of years and arouse the sense of belonging nurtured by Chinese culture. However, there are several challenges to inheriting customs in Hong Kong: insufficient successors, manpower and funds to conduct and advertise festive activities, the inheritance of physical and spiritual is not equivalent; When traditional festivals and temples alter to be more tourist-oriented, weighing the experience of residents and the satisfaction of tourists becomes dualistic.

This presentation explores how the creative expression of soundscape can enhance human-nature connectivity. The unconventional sound map can be an engaging, experimental and alternative way of articulating incense cultural heritage. The significance of archiving and presenting incense burning stems from the possibility of experiencing the cultural transformation and integration of the festivals through this enduring act. Furthermore, it encourages new efforts to maintain the continuity of core spiritual and cultural values.