EXim 2015 - Hong Kong Experimental Video Festival in Macao

EXiM 2015 —香港實驗影像活動 : 藝術與社會

Research output: Creative and Literary Works in Non - textual FormRGC 43 - Film, video

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Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 13 Nov 2015

Exhibition

TitleHong Kong Experimental Video Festival in Macao
PlaceMacao
Period13 November 2015

Abstract

When curating a program about the arts in Hong Kong, it is hard not to mention the Umbrella Movement last year which generated a large number of art works, and is internationally renowned. The 87 tear bombs used by the government resulted in a mass demonstration. The demonstrators had occupied several roads for 79 days. More than 1.2 million people have been involved in or visiting the occupied areas. There were a lot of slogans and statements in the occupied territories. People presented them in artistic ways. Some of them were large scale efforts that involved many people. Because the works were rich and diverse, guided tours were organized to showcase the works. Newspapers also reported the new art works every day to disseminate the trend of public opinion or to empower the minorities. The images had a lot of impact. The art works blossomed on the Internet also and provided feedback to the current news and generated discussion.The Hong Kong programme focused upon video art this time. When doing research, more than a hundred thousand videos were found. Most of them were documentaries produced by the public. Some of them recorded the dispute and were used in court as evidence. The reality was so absurd, it was shocking by simply looking at it. Many carefully edited videos had strong messages, almost like propaganda. The selected videos for this program have more space for imagination. The artists’ roles are more obvious; there were selected angles and reflective messages. Half of the artists are from local and half of them are from overseas places, like Shannon, Daria and Vicky. They had different experiences and offered different viewpoints. " Do You Hear the Women Sing? " is a video that provides a feminist perspective. Although " South Horizons" is not directly related to Umbrella Movement but the artist Rafa depicts a sick city which just like the atmosphere during the movement. Liu To’s " A Tiny Handheld Camera " focused on the tension between the public and the police. Work of Sai Ho and James is more abstract and depicted the flow and the strength of the mass. Birdy Chu’s video“ The Interviews” tells why people come out and their words show naked hearts.The movement has ended. It did not change the political reality but many people’s views changed. Art played an important role in the movement. It was a practice of democracy. Everyone was respected and free to express oneself in the occupied area. The power of each individual is limited but when people come together, they can empower each other. Making art is also a thinking process which lets people have a deeper understanding of certain events. The selected videos reflect perspectives of individual artists with rich layers. Some of the selected videos offer special selected angles which give more information. Images plus actions sometimes generate new experiences for the audience and have greater impact. The Umbrella Movement advocated democracy and freedom of expression. It was believed that through art and the follow up actions, the spirit can be continued.

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Citation Format(s)

EXim 2015 - Hong Kong Experimental Video Festival in Macao. MAN, Phoebe C Y (Curator). 2015. Event details: Hong Kong Experimental Video Festival in Macao, Macao.

Research output: Creative and Literary Works in Non - textual FormRGC 43 - Film, video