Artlane 藝里坊

-

Hong Kong has been perceived as a compact concrete jungle with modern skyscrapers. The number of characterised architecture increases along with its importance as a leading international financial centre. Rivalling to major metropolitan with flourishing cultural activities, street art emerged silently in Hong Kong.


Henderson Land has launched ‘ARTLANE’, a unique urban art project with fabulous mural paintings in the last quarter of 2018. The clusters of mural art dot Chung Ching Street, Ki Ling Lane, and Shek Chan Lane in Sai Ying Pun. Referencing street art in New York, London and Seoul, Henderson Land has invited 9 famous local and international artists to participate in the ‘ARTLANE’ project. Based on a theme of ‘Art and Music of SOHO’, the tailored made murals on the walls of various buildings in the area have made the area a unique mural neighbourhood and inspired more buildings to follow suit. More new mural paintings pop up a year later after the first visit.

Artlane Map - Hongkongmadame
To have a great experience of the new face of Sai Ying Pun, one can start from the MTR exit B3. Once getting out to the street, a colourful mural of Urban Jungle by Neil Wang awaits you at the junction of Des Voeux Road West and Ki Ling Lane.


Next mural painting(s) is by a Finnish artist, Riitta Kuisma: Transformation. It shows the urban development process.  On the floor is a 3D painting: MTR moving from the underground to the street level. The two walls show Transformation 1 and II.


Moving further towards Queen's Road West is the kaleidoscopic Mural Tunnel by Pantone C., featuring music and dance motifs.


Now, turn around, you will see a gigantic little girl watering plants. This mural covers two floors and is from a local artist, Zue Chan.


You will not miss the rainbow staircase next to the little girl. This work is by Blessy Man and Henry Lau.


From the same duet artists, "Animal Town" next is based on the concept of Soho in London. Animals play musical instruments with bright colors. The pattern is mainly composed of triangles.



Opposite is Joy of Music and Art by Noble Wong. I felt I was listening to live Jazz music and watching a vivid dance performance by the three women.



Then take the next street, Chung Ching Street. Upfront are two walls with mural paintings depicting the town of Vienna by Zue Chan. Romantic scenes and vivid shops bring imagination of strolling along the streets in Vienna.




Step down the staircase and turn around is a big portrait of Bruce Lee. It's new. It did not exist in 2018. I found it at my second visit in early 2020.


Another new find is a house painted in vivid yellow and blue. I don't have any information about it. Only a small label shows deeeeeep rao. It is eye catching!


Last but not the least, it comes to my favourite mural painting in the area: Classic Hollywood Icons (Marilyn Monroe and Shirley Temple) painted by Elsa Jeandedieu.



Besides the beautiful Hollywood icons, I like a phrase written on the wall: 'Life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.'


Nearby is another cluster of art pieces - Sai Ying Pun MTR Station.  Awaiting at exit B is a collage of black and white photographs showing different times and aspects of Sai Ying Pun. Adjacent are are wonderful painted bas reliefs depicting the neighbourhood. Don't miss it! 

Sai Ying Pun MTR Station Exit B

Sai Ying Pun MTR Station Exit B








Location: Ki Ling Ln, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kbal Spean

-
Image
Kbal Spean is a unique archaeological site situated 50km from the Siem Reap.   Religious stone cravings sit on the river banks and bed, 150m stretch of the Stung Kbal Spean River.     Kbal Spean is commonly known as the "Valley of a 1000 Lingas " or "The River of a Thousand Lingas". Lingas are phallic representations sacred to Brahmanism.   It is a symbol of fertility.   Hundreds of them are carved into the rock of the river.   Other carvings include gods such as Vishnu , Shiva , Brahma and animals. To appreciate the beautiful carvings in the nature, one has to climb a trek for around 30 minutes.   Exhausted but worthwhile. Reclining Vishnu is often the theme of carvings.   Others include Shiva and Uma mounted on the bull, Brahma on a lotus petal and still others which I can't figure out exactly. Animals, lingas, yoni dot here and there.            Downdream is a waterfall. On the way is another spot with carving
Read more

Hong Kong Heritage Museum - The Hakkas and Fishing Origin

-
Image
15 June 2012 HK Heritage Museum - Hakka Women It has been more than 10 years that I haven't been to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum .  Today, a Picasso exhibition brought me back.  Hmm, a Spanish artist associating with the Chinese heritage.  It's a special event of the French May .  It drew a lot of people to the museum, though a bit remote.  People, family speaking different languages crowded at the venue.  Picasso 's paintings shown were across his different periods.  Many photos of him and friends were also shown. Hong Kong Heritage Museum is unique in providing the history of Hong Kong, featuring Hakka (Guest family) migration, as a fishing village, the traditional Cantonese opera as the integral parts of Hong Kong's heritage, history and culture. During the reign of Yongzheng and Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (18th century), people were encouraged to utilise wasteland for farming.  A big demographic shift of residents in the south moved to Hong Kong. Th
Read more

Marshal Zen Garden Beitou 北投少帥禪園

-
Image
Marshal Zen Garden was built during the Japanese-colonised period of the 1920's.  It was renowned for the hot spring and was used as the entertainment hub of the Japanese pilots during the end of the World War II. In the 1960's, it was used to confine Marshal Chang Xue-liang and his wife Zhao Di. We checked in in our hotel Double Inn and was driven there.  The environment is very soothing with a lot of green, flowers and typical Japanese set up. We first enjoyed our afternoon tea after travelling straight from Alishan to Chiayi to Taipei. You can visit the Zen Garden if you hold a booking of  the tour, hot spring or restaurant. It was very nice to enjoy the afternoon in its tea house  小六茶舖. It's cosy and the food was superb, good value for the money. NTD900 for two. Marshal Chang and his wife were detained at the Zen Garden for decades.  Though it was years ago, the exhibition of his room, photos and his life made me feel the loss of
Read more