EXHIBITION
02
Make & Believe
Date
Time
Venue
Overview
The notion of “fiction” and “real” is intertwined within the theatre. No matter how verisimilar the play may seem, the audience may not perceive it as real; vice versa, no matter how illusory and surreal a narrative gets to be, one can still exercise their imagination and be fully immersed in the narrative. Once stepped into the theatrical space, the audience gets to suspend their disbelief and be ready to participate in a collective “act” of fabrication – for one becomes an active spectator, the “comrade” to “conspire” an impossible reality.
Make & Believe harkens to the 2023 theatrical-installation performance We are for real, nonetheless, unfolding its narration in an exhibition space instead of a theatrical space. As the narrative context shifts, the previous distinction between “fictive” and “real” is eradicated, projecting alienated expectations and assumptions from the participating audience. In this regard, the collective experiment constructed in the theatre destructs into an individual experience with a deeper introspective focus. It liberates the audience's unidirectional visual perspectives from the spectator seats into a scattered, all-around spectacle by allowing them to free roam within the exhibition hall. Are these transformations equipping the audience with an omniscient vision that was absent as a theatre spectator? Leaving the narrative-driven theatrical space, can the audience perceive implicit messages between and outside of the lines of the exhibits?
In Make & Believe, we invite you to join the conspiracy again - in an exhibition hall where the performers are absent. The audience is left to conceive and perceive by engaging their senses, rediscovering the idiosyncratic performative qualities of scenery, installations, lighting and soundscapes, collaging fragments of existence, non-existence, reality, “the truth” and imagination, in turn constructing their perceptual landscapes. Can the myriad of sensual stimulations, inspire one to rely on intuition to perceive and conceive, travelling inward to search for meaning and answers?
In collaboration with Tung Wing-hong (Mechanical Installation), Ng Tsz-kwan (Mechanical Installation), Ho Sin-tung (Text / Painting / Installation), Human Wu (Scenography), Lam Lai (Music / Soundscape) and Lau Ming-hang (Lighting), these multi-disciplinary artists excelling in different mediums collectively interweave a rhapsody of Gesamtkunstwerk (a total work of art) by echoing with one another while preserving each individual's creative authenticity for the visitors to feast.
During the exhibition period, several curated performances will be presented. A brand-new composition crafted by Lam Lai, brought by three renowned musicians, Nazar Tabachyshyn (Accordion), Tiffany Au Kai-see (Bassoon) and Wilson Chau Siu-hin (French Horn), will accompany the soundscape installations to render an illuminating music creation. Creative performers from We are for real, including KT Yau Ka-hei, Anson Chan Wai-chung, Pearlmi Tam and Tung Chung-can, will also be offering a new collaborative performance on-site. Stay tuned for the shows!
We cordially invite you to be mesmerised by the “staged exhibition”, unleashing all your talents and senses to enjoy the meticulously crafted scenography. Come dialogue with the collective creation, challenge yourself and rediscover what are the “real” and “truth” to you.
Curator & Producer
Orlean Lai
Orlean Lai successively established orleanlaiproject and No Discipline Limited. In the role of curator and producer, she continues to initiate different forms of hybrid collaborations, inviting creative talents across disciplines to conduct cross-domain experiments together, exploring possibilities in different presentation formats, blurring the boundaries between art genres and medium.
Orlean is particularly fascinated with intermedia constructions. In her theatre productions, she likes to introduce visual artists, sound artists and music creators into the theatre, attempting to elicit works that depart from the conventional “theatre” mindset within the theatre context, thereby broadening the imagination and possibilities of the theatre. Orlean was the recipient of the Asian Cultural Council Fellowship in 2016.
In Collaboration with
Tung Wing-hong has been focusing on new media and kinetic installation since he received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2014. His works combine art and technological practice, presenting unique and humane new media works.
He has been honoured as the UOB Installation Artist of the Year and received the Gold Award in the Established Artist Category in the UOB Golden Garden Installation Art Award 2015. He has participated in multiple exhibitions related to art and technology, including Sensory Transcode of ARTS‧TECH Exhibition, Nevertheless, History Continues Media Arts Exhibition, Algorithmic Art: Shuffling Space and Time, and has been commissioned by institutions to create works for exhibitions, including the 2022 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale - Perceptual & Intellectual, Hi! Flora, Fauna, Before．After, etc. Recently, he has ventured into theatre with kinetic sculptures in We are for Real.
Photo Credit: Thomson Ho
A multimedia artist and designer cum the co-founder and Executive Creative Director of yucolab. After graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and later the Central Saint Martins College of Art in London in 2000, he is devoted to practising new media technology in the art, commercial exhibition, museum sectors, etc. His works continuously delved into media technology and space’s influences on human perception.
Photo Credit: Thomson Ho
Ho Sin-tung was born and lives in Hong Kong. She graduated from the Fine Arts Department in the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2018. Her artistic practices include drawing, installation, video and writing. Navigating through the texts and different materials, those that haunt her and cannot be named are transformed in her works. Ho’s penfriend describes her as “regarding the dead as the living. Giving objects, events and knowledge the status of the living. In Ho’s artistic world, these subjects have their own face and dignity despite not being categorised.”
Ho is also the founder of the space “Good Night” which adopts sports as a framework for alternative cross-medium cultural practices. The space is committed to building stronger individuals and communities.
Photo Credit: Thomson Ho
An architectural designer and educator based in Hong Kong. After working at world-renowned offices in New York, Basel, and Hong Kong, he is now the Founding Director of his own practice, Human Architects. Human graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and is currently appointed as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. His writing on architecture and art has been published in various magazines including CLOG, San Rocco, MONU, Time+Architecture, Art Plus, Sample, and dance journal/hk.
Lam Lai graduated from the Department of Composition and Electronic Music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and further studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Lam has been expanding the meaning and properties of performance by employing various elements of theatre while working on the concept of music, exploring a space where different concepts of listening experience can coexist and advance towards a balance with other art forms. Her activity as a composer is not limited to instrumental music but it is also extends to her multidisciplinary works, which predominantly feature electronic sounds and performative elements. She also collaborates with theatre directors, choreographers, actors and visual artists, exploring performance spaces that range from indoor and outdoor to virtual. Her works have been presented in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland and Iceland.
A creator of pop-up book story theatres, paper art artist, and theatre lighting designer. He has spent the past decade creating multiple “pop-up book story theatres” that blend three-dimensional paper art, light and shadow, and the aesthetics of theatre performance. He has been nominated multiple times for the Hong Kong Drama Awards for Best Lighting Design. His design works include productions such as Three Sisters by Theatre du Pif, Woman Watching by Rebecca Wong and Somnium by No Discipline Limited.
Lau has served as a board member of the Hong Kong Association of Theatre Technicians and Scenographers (HKATTS). In 2019 and 2023, he curated the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, and travelled to Prague to organise exhibition events. His paper-cutting works have been featured in solo exhibitions in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Crew and Sponsors
Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Tai Kwun
Orlean Lai
Tung Wing-hong
Ng Tsz-kwan
Ho Sin-tung
Human Wu
Lam Lai
Lau Ming-hang
KT Yau Ka-hei
Anson Chan Wai-chung
Pearlmi Tam
Tung Chung-can
Nazar Tabachyshyn (Accordion)
Tiffany Au Kai-see (Bassoon)
Wilson Chau Siu-hin (French Horn)
Tung Wing-hong
Fung Wing-lam
yucolab
Thomas Ip
Tsui Wai-hong (Voyu)
Chan Lok-sze
Lorin Siu
Tse Kam-po
Hui Wing-yan
Kel Lok
Fork Chun-pong
Cheung Wai-man
Team Africa
Peterbird Studio
No Discipline Limited
ONEvent Productions
Moving Image Studio
Hong Kong Arts Development Council reserves the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists and/ or vary advertised programmes. In case of dispute, the decision of HKADC is final.
Hong Kong Arts Development Council supports freedom of artistic expression. The views and opinions expressed in this programme do not represent the stand of the Council.
- The opening hours of the exhibition are from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm throughout the exhibition period (closed on Mondays).
- Free registration. Limited quota is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The exhibition is suitable for people aged 12 or above.
- One ticket per person. The ticket is only valid in Tai Kwun F Hall Studio.
- To offer the best visiting experience, the exhibition is divided into different visiting sessions and entry times for public registration. Visitors are welcome to explore freely within the visiting sessions after their entry.
- Please arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the registered entry time and present the confirmation e-mail for check-in. No latecomers will be admitted.
- HKADC reserves the right to release any unclaimed quota to walk-in participants 5 minutes before the event starts.
- Unless otherwise specified, please do not touch any artwork on display.
- Eating and drinking are not allowed in the venue.
- Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are welcomed, but please do not use flashlights, selfie sticks or tripods to avoid disturbing other participants.
- Some installations are set in low-light environments and may involve intense lighting, strobe effects, and loud noises that may trigger photosensitive epilepsy and cause discomfort and may not be suitable for visitors who are pregnant.
- There is no parking and storage services. Please avoid bringing bulky belongings.
- In accordance with Section 18, 22 and Principle 6 of Schedule 1 to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, you have the right to request access to and request correction of personal data. Request for personal data access and correction should be addressed to Hong Kong Arts Development Council by email: arts.tech@hkadc.org.hk.
- Participants may be captured in photos or video-recordings during the programme. The materials may be saved and uploaded to the organiser(s)', partners(s) and the artist(s)' websites, social media platforms, publications and/or publicity materials. All photos and videos will be used for promotion purpose only.
- For participants' safety, if any emergency situations happen during the programme (e.g. adverse weathers, accidents or disturbances), the programme may be suspended or cancelled immediately depending on the actual conditions. If there is any emergencies or if you feel unwell, please seek assistance from our on-site staff immediately.
- Please understand that your participation is done at your own risk. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you shall assume all risk or injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge the organiser(s) from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of or in connection with your participation, whether arising out of the organiser(s)’ negligence or otherwise.
- HKADC reserves the right to decide and alter the operation of the activities at its own discretion. Should there be any changes or cancellations, please follow our latest updates on website and social media platforms.
- A confirmation email will be sent to you upon successful registration. Please check the junk mailbox if necessary.
- The information provided will be used by the organiser(s) and producer(s) for contact and programme promotion.
Typhoon Signal No.8 or above and Red & Black Rainstorm Warning Signal
- If the signal is lowered before 3:00 p.m., the exhibition will re-open two hours after.
- If the signal is in force after 3:00 p.m., the exhibition will remain closed.
- If the signal will be hoisted during the exhibition, the exhibition will be closed. Visitors will be advised to leave the site under safe circumstances.
- If the programme is cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, no substitute time slots will be provided.
- The organiser(s) or producer(s) will proceed with the event based on weather conditions and ensure safety and reserve the right to cancel any activities in severe weather. Please stay tuned for any updates on the Facebook page and Instagram (@arts.tech.exhibition).
