Curator: Phoebe Man

Artists: Ho Ka Ho, Mak Ming Kit, Jose Lai, Howard Cheng, Kenji Wong, Tsang Wing Man, Ellen Pau, Rita Hui, Linda Lai, Phoebe Man

Date: 18 February 2011 (Friday)
Time: 8 – 9:45 pm
Venue: Videotage
Address: Unit 13, Cattle Depot Artist Village, 63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kln. HK
*Free admission*

*The Curator and some of the participating artists will meet the audiences at the Q&A session after the screening.

Videotage is hosting its first local experimental video screening on 18th February this year. The Other provides a fresh perspective for Hong Kong audience on issues we often neglect or easily overlook amid the busy life of modern cities. The curator – Phoebe Man has selected works from four iconic Hong Kong female artists plus videos and animations by several emerging young local artists for the event.

The theme of the event – The Other means being different – a concept that embodies characteristics all our featured artists proudly hold. Many experimental films, videos and new media artworks are either reflections or products of direct influences of technological development. Despite the presupposed connection between technologies and males, we have witnessed a number of distinguished Hong Kong female experimental video artists and filmmakers who have masterly broken such ideological mold over the years. The artists’ gender, social status, and styles are different from traditional arts and mainstream film productions. These differences make their works the others outside the industry. Their works raise our attention to facts and realities we used to have too many excuses to be insensitive to. The artists transform personal experiences into abstract vocabularies as a form of discussion while not fitting in any kind of grand narratives of ideology; Instead of illustrating theories, they are more willing to show the audience the richness of daily lives. Using delicate techniques and extraordinary imagination, the works are intriguing and filled with unique characters. And it is the combination of all these elements that forms the fascinating side of their works.

The screening also features animations and video works created by new young artists in Hong Kong. These emerging artists are concerned with issue of identities, researches of space and the cities. Filling with imagination and uncertainty, searching by trial and error, each of their work is filled with experimental spirit and unique style.

Works：

Puff the Magic Dragon (Ho Ka Ho / 2009 / 4:37)
Ho Ka Ho’s animation “Puff the Magic Dragon” is a story of self-absorption. He magnifies one’s own world by mixing the reality and the imaginary space. Through the imaginary world, the work reflects the truth of the real world and the truth of self.

City Monster (Mak Ming Kit / 2010 / 4:04)
Mak Ming Kit’s animation “City Monster” depicts the horror of developers and Hong Kong Government tearing the city apart.

Hope of Home (Jose Lai / 2007 / 5:16)
Homes have their own thoughts and emotions. This is a story about a home and a little boy.

The Doors（Howard Cheng / 2007 / 5:59）
“The Doors” is an audio-visual orchestral composition made of sounds of the opening and shutting of gates in public housing estates. This work would not be made possible had the living environment in Hong Kong not been so horribly packed!

Table Distance (Kenji Wong / 2009 / 11:59)
Kenji Wong’s video “Table Distance” is a one-shot video experimentation of tableau vivant in public space. The form of the video tries to break the boundaries between the stage, the audience, and the video space.

Sentimental Journey (Tsang Wing Man / 2009 / 17:30)
“Sentimental Journey – My 22nd year project” is the artist’s journey in search of identity and recognition. The sense of loss and discontents echoes the ambiguous feelings of the youth.

Fanfare for the Common Man (Ellen Pau / 2010 / 5:00)
Ellen Pau gathers animated news clips from the Internet for her new work “Fanfare for the Common Man”. It is frantic. It is over the top. It is journalism as we like it.

IDoLetHerMyHeadHave (Rita Hui / 2004 / 16:58)
“IdoLetHerMyHeadHave” is all about how to tell a story. The artist no longer merely hides behind the camera. She becomes involved and interacts with the protagonist in the story. When the audience is expecting a story to tell, the creator instead expresses her frustration. The work is full of surprises. The visual language is strong and diverse.
Voices Seen, Images Heard (Linda Lai / 2009 / 27:58)
“Voices Seen, Images Heard” shows a searching process. It aims to redefine the city “Hong Kong” which is a word implying too many clichés. She abandons discourses people have already had and goes back to the basic – collecting daily fragments and facts to induce new concepts of Hong Kong.

Rewrite the History (Phoebe Man / 2010 / 3:55)
Phoebe Man is a sculptor and media artist. She uses sculptural method to make video. Dealing with the issue of sexual assault, through releasing memories and imaginations, making destruction and construction, her work “Rewriting History” tries to confront the misconceptions of the society and to attain self-empowerment.