LCSD expresses gratitude for successful conclusion of Art@Harbour 2024 (with photos)
The large-scale outdoor art project "Art@Harbour2024" (AAH) presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) closed on June 8. The five projects under the AAH were well received by the local public and tourists since its opening in late March. The art projects "teamLab: Continuous" and "Science in Art" being held in Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) have recorded a total attendance of over 1.3 million, among which around 20 per cent of them were tourists. According to the statistics provided by the project partners, the three projects in Tsim Sha Tsui, namely Alicja Kwade's sculpture "l'ordre des mondes (Totem)" by K11 Group in collaboration with Pace Gallery, the "Chromaflux" by Sino Group in collaboration with the local art organisation HKWALLS and the "Voyage with Van Gogh" by the First Initiative Foundation in collaboration with the Van Gogh Heritage Foundation and with the funding support of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, had received more the 2 million visitors respectively.
The AAH 2024 project has attracted over 2 million visitors, which exceeded the original estimate. In addition to the general public who can visit for free, the project also received leaders in the art field from all over the world including representatives joining Art Basel and Art Central, as well as officials responsible for cultural affairs and representatives of relevant associations from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Moreover, the LCSD has organised guided tours for over 2 000 students with special educational needs (SEN) students, people with visual impairment and beneficiaries of non-government organisations to ensure that people with diverse abilities and needs could fully enjoy and experience the exhibition.
The AAH was first launched in 2022 as an innovative integration of art, science and technology. Art pieces by local and international artists created a sensational visual feast for the public along the waterfronts of the Victoria Harbour.
The immense "teamLab: Continuous" exhibition took a year of preparatory work to come to fruition. It was the first time for teamLab to exhibit the artwork both on land and sea in this scale. To overcome the challenges posed by the geographical environment, the LCSD worked closely with the design and engineering teams from teamLab during the preparation phase. With the support and assistance from various government departments and through repeated trials, teamLab's exhibits merged perfectly with the venue and created a unique landscape in Hong Kong. During the more than two-month exhibition period, the curating team endeavoured to create the best visiting experience for members of the public. By improving crowd management and overcoming the challenges brought about by inclement weather, they ensured that everyone could enjoy this unprecedented outdoor art project.
Through the collaboration between the Government and the private and art organisations, the AAH 2024 aims to offer the local public and tourists a rich experience through art creation, while highlighting the vibrancy and energy of Hong Kong. The LCSD thanked project partners for their enthusiastic engagement and active participation, and hopes that different sectors of the community will continue to give their support to showcase the charm of the Victoria Harbour, promote cultural development and transform Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
