Street Art, Festivals & Movie Backdrops

Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps, and its art scene is no different. Look beyond the neon lights and towering skyscrapers, and you’ll find a vibrant underground world of street art and thought-provoking installations that breathe new life into the urban jungle. The concrete canvas signature to the city boasts of artworks that speak many a tale — be it amid the bylanes of bustling neighbourhoods or across the Central and Western District which welcomes artists to unleash their creativities during the nine-day HKWALLS Street Art Festival held annually in March.

The HKWALLS Street Art Festival

The annual HKwalls Street Art Festival is a must-see for any art lover. This year’s edition, held from March 23 to 31 2024, saw international and local artists transform walls in Central and Western District into stunning murals. Eight globally renowned mural and street artists joined the local and Greater Bay Area lineup. The result? 284 pieces of public artwork, created by 257 artists across 28 countries!

This includes Aches, the Irish master of murals; Hera, a German storyteller; Jaune, a Belgian artist who creates thought-provoking stencilled works; Michal Škapa, a Czech artist who builds large-scale murals; Alice Pasquini, an Italian artist who uses found materials to create stories celebrating feminine power; and Uno, an Italian known for incorporating diverse techniques in his murals. Supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, four artists from Mainland China and three local talents added their voices to the mix. Several public tours were conducted by Wanderlust Walks’ lead storyteller Alexandra Unrein, who delved deeper into the stories behind this year’s murals.

It wasn’t just brick and mortar getting a makeover, either – the festival featured trippy digital artworks displayed on LED screens around town. Partnering with Sino Group and eco-friendly paint brand eicó, the festival showcased the talent of international and local street artists. The Conversations Series, for instance, saw artist talks, engaging street art workshops and public tours to strengthen the connection between the local community and art appreciation, making the magic of street art accessible to all.

What’s more–this year, HKwalls also collaborated with Sino Group to transform Tsim Sha Tsui Harbour with five dazzling digital animation artworks displayed on building facades. The Emperor Group and Asiaray Media Group joined the party with additional digital pieces on their LED screens across Hong Kong. A fundraising event featuring Bangkok’s top cabaret group, Madame Rouge, alongside local record label XXX, added to the festivities; while the 5th annual Youth Mentorship Programme played its part in supporting emerging voices. An epic closing party hosted by the Fader Crew drew the curtains on a successful show.

Beyond the Festival

The HKWALLS Street Art Festival is just the tip of the iceberg. When in Hong Kong, keep an eye out for hidden gems in neighbourhoods like Sheung Wan, Wong Chuk Hang, and Sham Shui Po. Street art here adds a layer of personality to the streets, sparking conversations and creating a unique vibe in each area.

Art installations are another way Hong Kong showcases its creative spirit. These temporary or permanent works pop up in public spaces, parks, and even shopping malls. They’re not just something to look at. Many installations encourage interaction, inviting you to become part of the art itself. The giant outdoor art installation Ephemeral, created by the Australian art group Atelier Sisu, is one example of this.

WestK FunFest

Ephemeral, an immersive art installation that explored the fleeting beauty of life, captivated audiences in over 40 regions including London, Sydney, Singapore, and Brussels. For its Hong Kong debut, Ephemeral featured Colossal, a new site-specific element created especially for the WestK FunFest held earlier this year in March and April. This colossal addition was designed to perfectly complement the District’s stunning harbour panorama and featured custom-designed lighting and audio effects. The installation dynamically changed with the light, offering audiences an extraordinary and immersive art experience.

The WestK FunFest also served as the home for Australian company Polyglot Theatre to present the international premiere of Pram People (Hong Kong Edition) at Harbourside Lawn West. The performance was a playful spectacle for both participants and spectators, wherein adults donned headphones to receive a captivating narrative and instructions, all while manoeuvring their babies in prams. Joined by performers, the participants created a unique visual experience, redefining the pram as an asset to public space and society.

Art@Harbour

Further cementing its love for the arts, Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour shimmered with a dazzling display of art during the recent Art@Harbour event, hosted by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Partnering with K11 Group, Sino Group, and the First Initiative Foundation (FIF), the event transformed the waterfront into a captivating open-air gallery.

Both sides of the harbour came alive with stunning installations and digital projections created by a mix of international and local artists. This artistic blend showcased how art, science, and technology can work together to reimagine the waterfront as a platform for creativity. The LCSD curated a diverse collection of interactive installations at Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade. Visitors were treated to teamLab: Continuous by the international art collective teamLab. As part of this installation, hundreds of colourful luminous installations would continuously change colours and sounds as visitors interacted with them. Similarly, the adorned trees in the park responded with shifting coloured lights and sounds.

Art enthusiasts gathered at the K11 MUSEA promenade to witness Alicja Kwade’s thought-provoking sculpture, I’ordre des mondes (Totem). Presented by K11 Group in collaboration with Pace Gallery, the sculpture sparked conversation and reflection. On the other hand, Sino Group partnered with HKWALLS to present Chromaflux, a large-scale digital art installation displayed on the Sino LuminArt Façade of Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre. This impressive artwork showcased the talent of five artist groups from Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and Hong Kong.

The crowning glory, however, was the celebration of iconic artist Van Gogh. The First Initiative Foundation, with support from the Van Gogh Heritage Foundation and the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund, presented Voyage with Van Gogh at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. This unique blend of art, technology, and local flair brought the genius of Van Gogh to life against the backdrop of the city’s iconic Victoria Harbour. When the Clock Tower chimed each hour, a specially created art installation by Spanish artist Vritis of Visura Studio sprang to life. Dazzling visuals danced across the scene, accompanied by an original music piece titled Rain or Shine, composed and produced by FIF’s Artists in Support program, Leon Ko and Chiu Tsang Hei. This immersive experience allowed visitors to connect with Van Gogh’s art on a deeper level, all while celebrating the unique charm of Hong Kong Harbor.

Art Basel Hong Kong

This love for the arts is evident in the recent strategic three-year global partnership between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Art Basel. In a recent press conference held at Basel, the tourism board confirmed that the collaboration will extend beyond Hong Kong to all Art Basel shows worldwide, beginning with Art Paris in October later this year. Notably, with this, HKTB becomes the first tourism organisation to enter into a global strategic partnership with Art Basel.

As part of the alliance, HKTB will serve as a Show Partner of Art Basel and celebrate Hong Kong’s thriving art and culture on the world stage. For this, HKTB will be present in four annual shows, including Art Basel in Paris, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Basel, over the next three years. Talking about the same, Dane Cheng, HKTB Executive Director, says,  “Our strategic alliance with Art Basel underscores our commitment to promoting Hong Kong as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, and a valuable gateway to the Chinese art market. By sharing the city’s unique character through immersive experiences and exhibitions at the world’s most prestigious art platform, we hope to inspire travellers to visit our city and discover its thriving creative community and rich cultural experiences.”

Noah Horowitz, Art Basel CEO, agrees: “We are thrilled to build on our longstanding collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and launch this ambitious initiative. By shining a global spotlight on Hong Kong’s vibrant art scene, this partnership will enhance the experience for our fair visitors while unlocking new opportunities and fostering deeper connections between Hong Kong and art communities around the world.”

Interestingly, this mutual goal of spreading the love for arts extends back to 2020 when Art Basel first collaborated with HKTB. In March, the tourism board, along with the fair, presented a local Cha Chaan Teng experience that aimed to highlight the vibrant living culture of Hong Kong. Guests got a first-hand experience of the region’s heritage while inside a colourful, purpose-built cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café), all while savouring local delicacies, such as the city’s iconic pineapple buns and milk tea. 

When Art Meets Culture

Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival

While the festivals showcase popular culture through established channels, Hong Kong’s street art scene thrives on a more underground and independent expression, too. These expressions are best visible during the ongoing Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival.

Hong Kong’s pop culture scene is stacked with generations of creative minds who’ve been dropping hits across all kinds of media — from catchy lyrics to epic novels and graphic adventures. On the action side, Hong Kong is famous for its legendary martial artists who’ve dominated both the big screen and the real-world fighting scene.

Speaking of action, this year marks the 100th birthday of author Jin Yong and the 20th anniversary of James Wong’s passing – both huge figures in Hong Kong’s creative world. To celebrate, the theme for the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2024 is Arts & Action. During the festival, prepare to take a trip through time exploring the coolest aspects of Hong Kong pop culture from a whole new angle. The festival is a blend of everything that makes Hong Kong unique: high-octane action, chill vibes, Eastern and Western influences, classic favourites, and brand-new stuff.  This year’s festival — the second edition — kicked off in April and features curated exhibitions, film screenings, live shows, and interactive events.

Complex Con

This love for pop culture also finds a spot during the Complex Con, a global festival focused on pop culture and streetwear which recently held its first edition outside the USA in Hong Kong. The meticulously curated experience showcases the vanguard of pop culture where the world’s most influential brands and artists converge for an immersive weekend dedicated to cutting-edge style, coveted sneakers, thought-provoking art, innovative design, and a vibrant exploration of music, food, and inspiration. Held in March earlier this year, the Hong Kong edition of Complex Con granted attendees unparalleled access to the inner sanctum of pop culture. Picture engaging with the luminaries shaping the future of pop culture, immersing in electrifying live musical performances, delving into the curated marketplace with a treasure trove of limited-edition merchandise, and witnessing the fusion of the digital and physical worlds through cutting-edge technology and interactive, boundary-pushing art installations.

Cinephile’s Dream Destination

Any conversation on art and culture is incomplete without a mention of movies, and Hong Kong has a lot to offer on that front. This Asian destination is a goldmine for filmmakers and videographers. Think neon-drenched streets, a killer skyline, and iconic landmarks – it’s a visual feast! This city is a masterclass in contrasts, blending old and new in a way that is captivating on screen.

Take Yau Tsim Mong for example – this district has been a backdrop for everything from K-pop music videos to Hollywood blockbusters, including the 2017 live-action remake of the anime classic, Ghost in the Shell. This movie took Hong Kong and cranked it up to 11, transforming it into a wild, futuristic metropolis. The movie used tons of CGI, but eagle-eyed viewers can still spot some real-life landmarks along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront or Hong Kong Cultural Centre which doubled as the swanky headquarters of Section 9 in the film.

Further solidifying Hong Kong’s appeal beyond its iconic skyscrapers and landmarks, the K-pop girl group MAMAMOO used the city’s vibrant night scene as the backdrop for their music video Wind Flower. Filmed in various locations throughout Hong Kong, the video prominently features the bustling Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok, the iconic Mong Kok Footbridge, and Tung Choi Street.

The Peninsula Hong Kong made a cameo in the 1974 classic The Man with the Golden Gun. This is where 007 himself tracked down Bond girl Andrea Anders. Keep an eye out for the driveway and entrance in the film, where Bond chases after Anders after she is whisked away in a sleek green Rolls-Royce. Fun fact: Bond’s assistant spills the tea that all green Rolls-Royces belong to The Peninsula! And guess what? The hotel’s legendary green Rolls-Royce service is still going strong, giving you the perfect opportunity to pose against the wheels like a secret agent.

Hong Kong action film, Shock Wave 2, utilised numerous locations throughout the city, one of which was the bustling Temple Street. Notably, a scene filmed on Temple Street depicted a dramatic rescue mission undertaken by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau (EODB) officer Poon Shing Fung (portrayed by Andy Lau) and his colleague Tung Cheuk Man (played by Sean Lau). The filming of this particular sequence necessitated the temporary closure of Temple Street, attracting significant public attention as onlookers gathered to witness the filming and potentially catch a glimpse of the renowned actors.

In their music video for You Are, South Korean boy band GOT7 took off on a visual tour of Hong Kong’s most photogenic locations by showcasing the city’s multifaceted character. A particularly captivating sequence features renowned musician and dancer Jackson Wang positioned prominently in front of a neon-lit goldfish store. This specific location — the Goldfish Market–enjoys significant popularity amongst photographers.

Another city’s signature location made popular through cinema is Lui Seng Chun. A noteworthy example of pre-war Hong Kong architecture, the location stands as one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, having garnered significant global recognition following its appearance in the Marvel film Doctor Strange. Constructed in 1931, this four-story structure, now a Declared Monument, exemplifies the traditional tong lau architectural style. While the film itself did not capture scenes directly featuring the building, the filmmakers employed a meticulously crafted large-scale model replicating a typical Hong Kong street scene. This model prominently featured a structure heavily inspired by Lui Seng Chun, solidifying its place within the cultural consciousness of a global audience.

Related: Here’s All That You Missed At Art Basel Hong Kong, The World’s Largest Art Fair

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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