The Way We Were - The 60th Anniversary of Leslie Cheung

The Way We Were - The 60^th Anniversary of Leslie Cheung

Text: Eddie Kim

Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing has enamored the people of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, through his iconic voice in the music industry, coupled with his memorable performances in movies.  Regarded as one of the godfathers of Canton-Pop, Leslie has forever taken the hearts of his fans through his carefully crafted voice.  His 1984 hit single ‘Monica’, was voted by Hong Kong as the song of the century.  He was the first foreign artist to host sixteen concerts in Japan, and in Korea remains the top-selling Canton-Pop Artist. 

Leslie remains the only pop-star to announce his own retirement by performing 33 consecutive nights at the Hong Kong Coliseum.  After five years away from the limelight he returned with his “Most Beloved” album.   

Leslie’s presence on the silver screen managed to capture more than the people’s hearts of Hong Kong.  Regarded as one of the most charismatic Chinese film actor, Leslie has performed and progressed in the film industry with exceptional ease and charisma.  From his iconic performances in Days of Being Wild (1991), to Farewell My Concubine (1993), he has managed to intimate his life experiences into the art form seamlessly.

United Leslie is a non-profit making voluntary union founded devoted fans of Leslie Cheung and first established in 2006.  The 10^th anniversary of this organization spurned the union between United Leslie and PMQ.  United Leslie Volunteer Association is proud to present the 60^th Anniversary of Leslie Cheung.  Designed to reveal the behind-the-scenes stories of the King of Canton-Pop there are plenty of ways for old fans and new to learn more about this enigmatic figure in Hong Kong pop culture.

From 8^th-18^th of September, PMQ has opened studio space to host a series of exhibitions to highlight the life events of Leslie Cheung.  Video and photo exhibitions will be prominently displayed to guide the audience through Leslie’s life in chronological order. 

 

Leslie helped impact the transformation in Hong Kong popular culture.  Specifically, in the areas of 

fashion, Leslie fancied himself a trendsetter in the industry.  The Hong Kong locals still pay homage to his revolutionary style, and is still referred affectionately as Gor-Gor (older brother).

There were a few notable names in the Hong Kong celebrity circuit who took their time to show their love and appreciation for Leslie.  Mr. Hins Cheung, Ms. Gigi Leung, Ms. Suzie Wong, and Mr. Spencer Leung Sze Ho, and Ms. Fiona Sit were some of the many who miss him dearly. 

 

The photo exhibition helped highlight the off-screen character and charisma of Leslie.  Historical photos of Leslie outside of his work were particularly interesting.   

 

 Though many had not personally known him as his friends and family did, his charisma and character were captured in brief glimpses throughout his performing career.  He stood as a vanguard towards those seeking happiness.  Who could be the voice of the next generations?

 

 

 

After over a decade has passed since his tragic death, but the love and dedication to his creative endeavors has definitively transferred over to his adoring fans.  The people of Hong Kong will never forget their beloved Gor-Gor, and continue to celebrate his long-lasting legacy.

 

Date of Exhibition:     8^th-18^th, September, 2016

Time of Exhibition:     11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (8^th-11^th, September, 2016)

                                       11:00 – 6:00 PM (12^th, September, 2016)

                                       11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (13^th-18^th, September, 2016)

Venue of Exhibition: S708 – S711, Staunton, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong

Event Link:  http://www.pmq.org.hk/event/the-way-we-were-the-60th-anniversary-of-leslie-cheung-exhibition/

“Social Regeneration – The Effects of Creativity Engagement”

Text:ymy

Living in a city where everyone is talking about politics and money, have you ever wonder how arts could generate new potential and possibilities in economy, society, and community?

 

Regardless your answers, it is now your chance to investigate different creative possibilities of arts and culture in PMQ.

 

Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture (SFAC) is co-organizing a symposium with PMQ with the title “Social Regeneration – The Effects of Creativity Engagement” to find out the significance, role, and the future of arts to help improve the society. Various project cases based on space implemented in Hong Kong and in Seoul will be presented to share creative possibilities and social roles of the arts with the audience.

Don't want to miss such incredible content? Just join the event on 19th Aug, 2016 (Fri) from 14:30 to 17:30 at the Qube (2/F, Block B) without hesitation!

For details and RSVP please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-regeneration-the-effects-of-creativity-engagement-registration-26437559452

 

http://www.pmq.org.hk/event/social-regeneration-the-effects-of-creativity-engagement/

Breathing Life into Brass

Text: C.Martin

They were lying on the tables, hanging on wooden boards on the walls and tucked in comfortably in honeycomb-like shelves on the walls.

 

“I designed and crafted all these with my little fingers.” Pinky Wong gestured at the meticulously handcrafted pieces of jewellery in her studio shop, which was aptly named “The Little Finger”. Even the brownish-gold letters outside the shop – yes, those were handmade herself too.

 

Pinky carved and polished each of their curves and bends from brass. Watching her work, it seemed to me like she was breathing life into each of her pieces, giving them their own spark stroke by stroke.

 

Pinky said that she liked working with brass most of all as it was not easily oxidized like silver if worn for long periods of time. She said this seemed to diminish the quality of jewellery pieces when they gathered the grey sheen of oxidation. She felt brass gave quality and value to her pieces.

Coupled with quality metal, traces of wool often wound their way into her designs. She liked to use wool to fill in the “negative space”, or the open and empty space, in her pieces. This seemed to give a warmer and almost human touch to the raw metal.

 

While Pinky concentrated on crafting her pieces, Toby Cheung made sure the shop operated smoothly. They had been classmates in university, and Toby decided to help Pinky out when she heard about the studio shop. Catching their shared smiles reminiscent of old times, I think she enjoyed working at The Little Finger as much as Pinky.

 

I was curious about where the name for “The Little Finger” came from, though I had a bit of an idea. With a cheeky grin, Pinky relayed to me the short story of how “The Little Finger” came to be.

“Well, my name is Pinky, which is another name for the little finger on our hands. So in a way, I guess I am the little finger.

“And all the jewellery pieces here are handmade, from the little fingers of designers like me. It’s amazing what you can make with these little fingers.”

 

What was even more amazing was that she rarely sketched out the design of her jewellery on paper – she just started making them and feeling them out with her fingers.

“Of course, you do have to have a bit of an idea about how you want it to turn out. But working with metal relies a lot on the feel of it on the tips of your fingers. I don’t like being restricted by designs on paper, because when you start making the piece it has a way of telling you what works best. I prefer it that way.”

 

And each piece takes quite a long time to make. The pieces of jewellery on display are oftentimes the only piece in the shop. So when it is picked by its new owner, that spot becomes empty, and the little finger(s) start working again to fill the vacant spot.

 

I watched as Pinky sent off her piece of jewellery. Along with it, she gave the owner-to-be a small card with procedures on how to care for the jewellery, along with a little piece of sandpaper attached to it.

“The best way to keep it in good shape is just to wear it more. Please don’t throw it away if it shows small signs of wear – I put a lot of effort into making this piece. Please take good care of it!”

 

 

 

The Little Finger

H206, 2/F, Hollywood, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong

Opening Hour: 12:00nn – 8:00pm Daily

Website:  http://www.thelittlefinger.com/

                http://www.pmq.org.hk/shop/the-little-finger/?lang=ch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLittleFingerbyPinkyWong

 

 

From candles to CUFFLINKS…

Text: Rowsie

As I set foot into GLUE, three what seemed to be goldfish floating in mid-air first caught my eye. Little did I know that these were actually hand-crafted candles, made with a hand painted goldfish surrounded by clear wax, creating the illusion that the fish were ‘swimming’ in clear water.

‘The fish are first moulded with a cast, then hand painted by the artist,” the owner explained.

She went on to show me products that they designed themselves, including this interesting touch of blue – CLOUDY-  for your everyday lavatory.

As I turned my back, I was met with a dazzle of gold and silver, which turned out to be their 2gether jewellery collection.

These accessories are produced by state-of-the-art 3D printing technology and then coated with gold or S-CO.

Outside the shop, four counters are set up showcasing cufflinks of all shapes and sizes.

These are only a few of what they have installed. Whether if it’s a miniature Heineken bottle, or if you’re looking for something on the darker side of the force like Darth Vader; you name it, they’ll have it.

And if you have a more oriental taste, how about a Mao shaped candle? Or Chinese work wear perhaps?

These are the products with Chinese elements that GLUE specifically chose to sell.

The product design store sells all kinds of accessories, candles and home products with their intriguing designs aiming to inspire you with their immense detail.

While you may find all of their signature design products at the front of the shop, including dim sum candles BeCandle, handmade silk screen tote bags Motive and many more; if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the team of designers working on new designs and products by the minute in their workshop in the back.

Shop name: Glue Associates

Websites:

www.glueassociates.hk

http://www.pmq.org.hk/shop/glue-associates/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/glueassociate/?fref=ts

Address:
S402, 4/F, Staunton (Block A), PMQ

35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong

Opened daily: 12:00nn to 20:00

Tel: 9536 0030

Hong Kong on Steps (中文）

「Hong Kong on Steps」將我們日常生活中的樓梯注入藝術與無窮創意！來自香港、台灣、日本、南韓及法國的藝術家將PMQ元創方25道樓梯轉化為優美畫作。藝術與創意原來就在身邊！ 

活動日期: 
即日起至2016年4月30日

更多關於 Hong Kong on Steps

網頁: http://www.pmq.org.hk/event/hong-kong-on-steps/?lang=ch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/130463887329274 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pmqhkdesign  

Hong Kong on Steps (English)

Hong Kong on Steps transforms an everyday necessity into a canvas for art and imagination! Visit more than 25 stair paintings across PMQ, by artists hailing from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and France. Art and creativity are just a step away! 


Campaign Period: 
From today till 30th April 2016

More about Hong Kong on Steps
Website: http://www.pmq.org.hk/event/hong-kong-on-steps/?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/130463887329274 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pmqhkdesign  

Hong Kong on Steps (한국어)

「Hong Kong on Steps」는 일상 용품을 예술과 상상을 위한 캔버스로 변모시켜 놓았습니다. 홍콩, 대만, 일본, 한국 그리고 프랑스 출신의 아티스트들에 의해서 만들어진 PMQ 의 ”25 Stair Paintings (25개의 계단 그림)”을 방문해 보세요. 예술과 창조는 단지 한 걸음 떨어져 있을 뿐입니다. 

캠페인 기간: 
이제부터 2016년 4월 30일까지 
기다리지말고 참석하세요!

Hong Kong On Steps 에 대한 상세 정보 

Website: http://www.pmq.org.hk/event/hong-kong-on-steps-kr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/130463887329274 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pmqhkdesign 

Hong Kong on Steps (日本語)

「Hong Kong on Steps」は日用品から芸術と創造的なキャンバスに転換した！香港、台湾、日本、韓国、フランスの芸術家によって創作された２５階段アート。皆さんぜひ、PMQを訪れてください。　芸術と創造力は程近くにある！ 

開催期間： 
本日より2016年4月30日まで 

Hong Kong on Steps の詳細は下記のリンクをご覧下さい今すぐ参加しよう！

Website: http://www.pmq.org.hk/event/hong-kong-on-steps-jp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/130463887329274 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pmqhkdesign  

樓梯與升降機

文：VC

（這並不是一篇會考範文，而是一篇遊記）

「走樓梯」一向給人一種很厭倦的感覺，直至近年大家開始意識到運動的重要性， 樓梯才漸漸地變得不太討厭。但對我而言，「走樓梯」的過程仍然是十分苦悶的。直至我到了這裡……

這裡讓我對 「樓梯」完全改觀， 並找到「走樓梯」的樂趣。

剛走進位於中環的PMQ元創方時也還沒有甚麼發現，在等候升降機時，看到旁邊服務中心的檯上放了一些摺疊方法與眾不同的單張。在好奇心的驅使下，我拿了一份來看，以解等待升降機之悶。單張上面寫著「Hong Kong on Steps」的字樣，聽上去很像挺有趣的。翻開裡面才知道是PMQ元創方的一個樓梯畫藝術項目。就這樣，我放棄了一向依賴著的升降機，並跟著裡面的指南，探索這個神奇的地方。

經過一輪的走訪才發現這個藝術項目並不是我想像中那麼簡單。這些樓梯是由7組分別來自5個不同地區及國家的藝術家來完成的。而這些樓梯畫大多都是圍繞著香港的特色及傳統文化。例如洋紫荊花、維港的帆船、粵劇、人力車、李小龍等等。當中還不乏充滿著城市特色的藝術作作品，作為城市人的我，真是倍感共鳴。

香港畫家Bao Ho以樓梯畫歡迎大家到訪PMQ元創方。

法國畫家Ceet Fouad所畫的小雞太可愛了！

香港市花，出自南韓畫家Lee Tae-ho的手筆。

想信人力車必定會引起不少人的共鳴。這是由來自香港的藝術團隊Omni Art所繪畫的。

日本畫家Pokke104的畫作。 

我跟朋友說起這些樓梯畫，他們會覺得香港很多地方都有。但我認爲這裡的樓梯畫是與眾不同的。在一座三級歷史建築物內，有超過20條樓梯同時被來自各國的藝術家賦予色彩，場面是多麼的令人歎為觀止。同時也為這座建築物增添活力，給人一種耳目一新的感覺。 

每條樓梯旁邊都有介紹該位畫家的QR code，實在是太貼心了。以上是香港畫家BrainRental的作品。 

雖然我未有足夠的時間去欣賞所有的樓梯，但這天的遊歷令我有所啟發。我們城市人生活急速，但也不仿停一停，用心去感受一下身邊的美好事物，為這些事物增添意義。引用這裡的其中一位畫家Candy Bird的說話：「城市裡新的活力，來自於觀察舊的事物，以及從舊事物裡發現新的價值。」

台灣畫家Candy Bird的作品。

地址：香港中環鴨巴甸街35號元創方

開放時間：07:00 － 23:00

網址：www.pmq.org.hk 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/130463887329274/ 

畫家資料：http://pmqhk.blogspot.hk/p/hong-kong-on-steps.html

Hong Kong on StepsArtist: Omni Art

Omni Art is the first Hong Kong art group specialising in 3D floor paintings, wall paintings and other creative art projects. Led by local artist Lam Yuk Fai, four young artists including Terena Wong, Cheng Kit Yu, Kum Ka Wai and Denise Yeung left their brushstrokes in various places around Hong Kong with a dream of making art everywhere and sharing their art ideas with everyone in the world. Upon their first encounter in a community art project in 2014, they started four 3D floor paintings in Tsuen Wan, and formed Omni Art. To date, they have created seven stair paintings across three districts in Hong Kong.

旅塗是香港首個專業3D地畫、壁畫及從事其他創意藝術的團隊，並由本地資深藝術家林旭輝老師帶領四位年輕藝術家王麗童、鄭潔瑜、甘家瑋和楊梓晴組成。他們的藝術創作足跡遍及全香港，務求把他們的藝術創作和理念與世界上所有人分享。2014年，他們通過荃灣3D地畫社群藝術計劃而互相認識。時至今日，他們已經在香港三個不同的地區創作了七幅巨型梯畫。

“Lost in Time PMQ" is a combination of stair paintings, floor paintings and installation. The concept is built on the historical background of PMQ and Hong Kong in the old days. The artwork is divided into four parts. A Chinese opera artiste in her costume painted on the far most stairs seems to be stepping down, while painted on the floor beneath those stairs are the streets of Hong Kong in the 1950-60s. A rickshaw on the street is waiting for the artiste, while another rickshaw carrying a passenger is leaving on the far left. The modern female painted on the stairs up front appears to be the artiste passing through the world beneath and walking back up to the modern world.  The juxtaposition of these scenes are divided by the painted iron bars on the floor: above the bars is modern-day Hong Kong and below the bars is Hong Kong in the old days. The best spot to capture this spectacle is near the stairs along Staunton Street. 

「時空交錯PMQ」是結合了樓梯畫，地畫以及裝置藝術於一身的作品。創作概念主要建基於PMQ及新舊香港的歷史背景。首先將整個作品以樓梯畫及地畫，分成上、下、前、後四個空間，後面的階梯畫有一個穿著粵劇戲服的花旦從階梯踏步而下，而地面則呈現出一條五十、六十年代的香港街道。街道上的一架黃包車等著花旦上車，左邊遠處另一架黃包車則載上乘客正在離開、而前面的階梯則畫有一個現代的女性，好像是那花旦從後邊的樓梯穿越了時空交錯的地下世界，再從前面的樓梯走上了現代一樣。這些交錯的時空就是透過畫在地面上的鐡欄，隱喻鐡欄之上為真實的空間，與下層的舊香港情景相互交錯。讓觀眾可於PMQ士丹頓街的階梯入口位置，感受這個交錯空間及留影成為作品的一部份。