Contemporary Art on 5/F — Sense of a Place
'Sense of a Place' is a special series of Contemporary Art on 5/F in this summer. The concept, 'Sense of a Place' is defined and utilized in different ways by different people. Some refers it as a geographical concept; some refers it to characteristics of a place and which grows from its past; some refers it as the inherent human attachment by which means individual or collective memories, feelings and perceptions that foster to a greater sense of belonging to a place. Since the definition of 'a Place' can be derived across different disciplines, and this contributes to the ever-changing identity of a place over the time. In respect of this notion, the summer series of Contemporary Art on 5/F will explore the relationship of time, space and the identity of a place with reference to new media works by Sala Wong, a US-based New Media Artist and researcher. Sala Wong works with computer-controlled area, wearable art and net art. She has created installations that aim at exploring the boundaries between real and virtual through argumentation, as well as social issues of diversity in art and culture. Her imagination with interactive elements has created captivating works. And the provocative nature of her work turns into a thread that allows her audiences to adopt horizontal and vertical approaches to examine the time and space of 'a place'. Having this ambition in mind, 'Sense of a Place' has a wide range of programme, it includes showcasing video documentation of Sala's interactive works, 'talk...the...line' and 'Please be Seated' on 5/F lobby, an outdoor projection of 'Persistence of Absence', a talk and an interactive art demonstration throughout the month of July. 'Sense of a Place' hopes to provide a platform for our audiences to reflect and to raise questions on defines this city over the time.

Sense of a Place: Mini-showcase of Work by Sala Wong

Video documentation of Sala Wong's interactive works, 'talk...the ...line' and 'Please be seated' will be showcased in this exhibition.

Date: 2.7 — 31.8.2008 (daily except Tuesdays)
Time: 5:00 — 9:00pm
Venue: 5/F Lobby

Persistence of Absence

Persistence of Absence is a live performance work of Sala Wong, which took place in Indiana, USA, in 2007 originally. The work takes visitors to come into a world that contemplated time, distance and markers that delineate space in a way that characterised the pathos of our experiences of movements, distances and longing. In the actual performance, there was a violinist playing continuously in front of images projected on the wall. The performance of the violinist was delicate and full of beauty, while adding an insistence on continuity that effectively contrasted and paralleled the feelings created by the images. This is a beautiful work that will change how you think the world immediately.

The projection at VAC is a video documentation of Persistence of Absence.

Date: 12.7 & 19.7.2008 (Saturdays)
Time: 7:30 — 7:45pm
Duration: 7 mins approx.
Venue: 5/F Loading Area of HKVAC
Free Admission

In case of poor weather conditions, the projection will be cancelled without prior notice.

Talk: 'Locative Art'

In the talk, New Media Artists, Sala Wong and Peter Williams will discuss about Locative Art — a location-based new media art genre, by making reference to their latest interactive projective, 'talk...the...line'. 'talk...the...line' is an interesting cross-cultural project which takes places across several cities — Prague, Hong Kong, Beijing and Berlin to investigate collective memories in relation to their historical sites and events. The first part of the project had been completed at Prague in 2007 while works in Hong Kong, Beijing and Berlin will follow suit and is expected to complete in 2010.

Speakers: Sala Wong and Peter Williams (in Cantonese & English)
Date: 12.7.2008 (Saturday)
Time: 3:00 — 5:00pm
Venue: 4/F Lecture Theatre
Free Admission. First-come-first-served.

Video Forms — Interactive Art Demonstration

Artists Sala Wong and Peter Williams will demonstrate a selection of their recent works that incorporate live videos with sculpture. You will have a chance to collaborate with the artists to create a multi-channel video sculpture exploring everyday locations and situations.

Date: 19.7.2008 (Saturday)
Time: 3:00 — 5:00pm
Venue: 4/F Multi-purpose room
No. of Participants: 20 persons
Free Admission. Booking recommended (Booking a place for New Media workshop, lecture and demonstration, please complete the application form)