Neon Starry Night
"Never forget, for there will always be a response."
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Chillchillcats Goodies Store is set to undergo a captivating transformation from March 16th to 30th, 2024. During this period, it will host a unique joint exhibition, 'Neon Starry Night,' showcasing both photography and video art. The store will be intricately converted into a darkroom, featuring several illuminating light boxes that highlight the narrative photography of 'True Font' signage. Simultaneously, the wall will be adorned with a mesmerizing video installation, 'Neon Record View.'
Artists and the exhibited works:
- YeeYung, a photographer, was born in Hong Kong in 1995 and currently resides in the United Kingdom. The exhibited work was photographed in 2020, before the restoration of the Grand Theater in North Point, Hong Kong. The subject of the photography was the last holdout "King Wah Signboards," also the studio of Au Yeung Cheong, one of Hong Kong's remaining master calligraphers. His calligraphy, a variant of the Northern Wei style, is known for its powerful and deliberate strokes, creating tightly structured characters. He described the script as "the mother of regular script." Although he is the only calligrapher renowned for this style, he emphasized that it was not his invention but the most solemn and noble script in calligraphy, thus often used in altars and religious ceremonies.
- Den Lau, a graphic designer and video artist from Hong Kong. The exhibition features a series of videos titled "Neon Record View" projected by a projector. The short films document Hong Kong's neon signs in a unique personal style, including signs that have been dismantled, presaging that the documented signs will become history. The total duration of the video is 4 minutes and 42 seconds.
- Cindy Tang, owner of the chillchillcats goodies store and the curator of this exhibition. She moved to the UK in May 2023, hoping to share stories of Hong Kong through exhibitions and illustrations while exploring the connections between Hong Kong and the UK. For this exhibition, three neon signs made in Hong Kong were specially arranged, allowing the audience to see their real form. Unfortunately, due to transportation difficulties, only smaller neon signs could be displayed. Although neon signs are also produced in the UK from glass, the ones exhibited were made by Mr. Wu Chi Kai, a neon light master from the 1980s in Hong Kong, representing a craft carrying emotional and cultural significance. As the neon sign industry faces extinction in Hong Kong, Perhaps, in our hearts, the light will continue to shine.
The inspiration behind the exhibition's name stems from a song released in the late 1980s by Tat Ming Pair, a prominent Hong Kong pop duo. The lyrics poetically describe two individuals wandering through the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong, grappling with uncertainties about their future and concerns that the city's brilliance might fade away.
Beyond mere commercial signboards, neon signs hold a profound significance. As they gradually fade from our urban landscapes, we come to realize that they are not just a craft but carriers of the collective memory and emotional ties of Hong Kong's residents. Navigating the thin line between 'existence' and 'disappearance,' we find ourselves yearning for their 'presence.' The gradual 'disappearance' of neon lights seems to dismantle our emotional connection to the city, eroding the memories we've developed in these familiar places.
The transformation from familiarity to unfamiliarity evokes a poignant sense of lost warmth and an uncontrolled feeling of helplessness—a delicate dance between memory and oblivion. Does the vanishing of iconic signs and neon lights serve as a reminder? How do we seize the present and uphold our cherished values in an alternative manner?
The chosen exhibition venue, Kirkgate Market, serves as a symbol of urban culture and historical changes. Since its inception in 1822, the market has withstood expansions, World War II, fire, and reconstruction, earning its status as a Grade I listed building today. It not only stands as a testament to historical resilience but also serves as a repository of living culture, witnessing the evolution and passing of various skills and crafts. This historical backdrop adds an enriched layer of meaning to the exhibition.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Mr. Wu Chi Kai, a neon light craftsman from 1980s Hong Kong. He graciously provided three traditional handmade glass neon light installations for the exhibition. These fragile neon lights made a journey from Hong Kong to the UK, aiming to bring a craft infused with emotions and sensations to the people living here.
"Never forget, for there will always be a response."
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YeeYung
Photographer
YeeYung, born in 1995, Hong Konger . Her journey with photography began at the age of 16 when she acquired her first DSLR camera. This powerful tool ignited her passion for photography in a life otherwise characterised by fleeting interests. Amidst the transience, her love for light and shadow remained unwavering, becoming an unshakeable pursuit. Initially aspiring to be a journalist, YeeYung's plans shifted after graduating from journalism school in Hong Kong, a city that seemed to lose its "news" shortly after.
She believes that "cameras will uncover beauty in ruins, and ordinary things will have extraordinary facets. Perhaps the lens has its own destiny."
Artist express through art; singers convey through music; wordsmiths outline with pens; photographers utilize light and shadow to document everything.
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Den Lau
Video Artist & Designer
Den Lau is a graphic designer who is passionate about Hong Kong culture and creative brand design. With years of industry experience, she has developed an unique design approach that incorporates her love for her hometown of Hong Kong. Inspired by the city's iconic landmarks and bustling urban life, she founded a HK cultural creative brand that captures the rich cultural heritage and memories of the land.
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Cindy Tang
Curator of Neon Starry Night Exhibition
HongKonger, she is the founder of chillchillcats goodies store. Moved to the UK in May of 2023 and hope to convey Hong Kong culture by some cross culture events, exhibitions or even the illustrations made by her, in order to enhance the connection between two lands.