Ling U

“Travellers” is a group exhibition inspired by James Clifford's theory in Routes: Travel and Translation in the Late Twentieth Century, which offers a framework for constructing a collective narrative of late twentieth-century travel, diaspora, border crossing, self-location, and residence away from home-as transcultural dilemmas.

Under this “bustling” cover are buried unstable and uncertain factors. Multiple interconnected factors contribute to alienation, and the social environment has changed dramatically over the past years in Hong Kong. People in this city also feel adrift due to the external environment's instability. Yet, comprehension of this city is only superficial.

The primary objective of this curatorial project is to examine the purpose of travel and the intention of the traveller, using Hong Kong as an example. The discussion will progress from the superficial to the profound and is organized according to four objectives and preferences to examine the central theme. Each area is represented by the works of six artists, who interpret and manifest the concepts through diverse methodologies and mediums. The keywords and phrases for the four areas are as follows: leisure activities (Rick Lo, Chan Sui Na Sheila), nomad/nomadism (Fong Ka Yu), responses to significant events (Wong Kit Kwan Kelvin, Chui Hiu Nam), and moving to a new place (Chan Yee Man Megan).

Travel is an opportunity to unwind and explore the unknown while appreciating the scenery. Feelings of happiness and positivity do not solely define travelling. Transportation to new locations is an essential and stimulating experience for travellers. Exploring new and exotic destinations through this means is vital to the travel experience. Rick Lo’s artwork depicts the standard visual elements in the aviation industry through boarding gate totems and hot air balloons with baggage tags. The floating-up process shows the excitement and expectation of travellers. It shows that one travel goal is to seek out unfamiliar sights and unwind. Chan Sui Na’s artwork embarked on a tram journey in contemplating time and memories in the artist’s student years. When the artist travels through the city in the tram, no one can't help but be reminded of a cherished past.

Travel can be viewed as a nomadic mode of existence. In a moving image projection called “A Place to Stay” by the artist Fong Ka Yu, several pigeons keep flying, walking around, and attempting to locate a home in the bustling metropolis and to adapt to its way of life. The moving pigeons are used as a symbol, a metaphor for the nomadic travellers in Hong Kong who reside in different locations as they are continually on the move to find their ideal home. The travellers wish to locate a new home that is tranquil and secure, moving from one place to another. This method of travelling can be understood as one form of seeking a home.

Travel is a response to the main events of the actual world. The objective of travel can be understood metaphorically. Travel can be a practice that includes loss and restoration of an original state. The significant changes in Hong Kong society over the past decade have increased travel among the local population. Wong Kit Kwan uses everyday things, like the arrow or indicator, to show the relationship between observing things and presenting objects, pointing out a particular choice, imagining the direction of a traveller after facing the directions of the street signs, and how he will proceed. Five different pieces of handmade glass, varying in size, comprise brightly coloured art pieces. The “camera” of Chui Hiu Nam appears to have captured some images, as the recording screen seems to display them. To record and recall memories in a specific situation, travellers use cameras. Memory maintains the separation of personal and social identities.

Area 4: Moving to a new place

CHAN Sui Na Sheila

CHAN Yee Man Megan

CHUI Hiu Nam

FONG Ka Yu

Rick LO

WONG Kit Kwan Kelvin