Art X Ecology & Anthropology《When Trees Cry in the City》

“When Trees Cry in the City” celebrates and explores the meaning of the existence of the street trees from a new artistic perspective. The project takes place in Wan Chai because of its rich heritage manifesting the collective memories of Hong Kong people. The current Hong Kong roadside urban forest is dominated by about 20 common tree species. No matter native or exotic species, they have been living together with us for a long time to witness what is happening in the city. People come and go while the trees stay. With anthropological and ecological approaches, the project uses street trees and their fallen leaves as a medium to connect the minds and emotions of people and trees, so as to take some of the burdens off us as individuals living in Hong Kong. 

The project is a Self Institute Seed Project which comprises three components: 1) Wan Chai Tree Tour Map; 2) Leaf Craft Stories Exhibition; and 3) experiential activities including tours, workshops and fireside chats.

The Tree Tour Map introduces trees of historical significance or related to the neighbourhood, bringing Hong Kong people to explore Wan Chai. Residents and artists are invited to share photos, sketches or any creations of the tree’s locations, developing daily life connections with street trees, and promoting coexistence between humans and trees.

The Leaf Craft Stories Exhibition showcases the fallen leaf craft artworks and photos with historical stories behind them. The guided tours introduce the basic knowledge of plant identification and how to observe a leaf. By attending the workshops and fireside chats, participants will further understand the project intention and contribute to the discourse on the nature-culture divide.

About the artist:

Teresa Chan is currently an independent researcher, writer and illustrator. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Ecology & Biodiversity from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and her Master’s degree in Anthropology from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a nature lover, she began committing herself to urban-rural development and research of communities in Wan Chai, Lamma Island and Lai Chi Wo, after a long stay farming with indigenous people in Taiwan. She is also engaged in early childhood education with Montessori philosophy and has published several picture books including “Grandpa, What’s Your Dream?” (2019), “The Colours of Nature” (2020) and “Angry Croissant” (2021). She responds to social issues through artistic creation and comic drawing. Her works were featured in “A Tribute to Yasi” Exhibition by HKU (2018) and The Washington Post (2021). She is exploring fallen leaves as a medium to portrait the city and its ever-changing character.

All events of “When Trees Cry in the City”:

1) Pre-exhibition Event (1) Capture a Tree: Ecological Photography Workshop
Date: 7 May 2022 (Sat)
Time: 09:30 - 11:00 (90 mins)
Venue: Wan Chai tour
Instructor: Pan Lau
Fee: Free admission (A deposit of HK$80 is required. The total amount will be refunded (not include service charge) if the whole workshop is completed. Participants can choose to donate the deposit to Hong Kong Arts Centre.)

Conducted in Cantonese

2) Pre-exhibition Event (2) Draw a Tree: Urban Sketching Workshop
Date: 14 May 2022 (Sat)
Time: 15:30 - 16:30 (60 mins)
Venue: Wan Chai tour
Instructor: Wai Wai
Fee: $100

Conducted in Cantonese

3) Leaf Craft Stories Exhibition
Date: 20 May to 29 May 2022
Time: 10:00 - 18:00
Venue: Diana Cheung Experimental Gallery, 3/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Fee: Free admission

4) Exhibition Tour with Curator (weekdays)
Date: 20 May 2022 (Fri); 23 May 2022 (Mon); 25 May 2022 (Wed); 27 May 2022 (Fri)
Time: 13:15 - 14:00 (45 mins)
Venue: Diana Cheung Experimental Gallery, 3/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Curator: Teresa Chan
Fee: Free admission (A deposit of HK$80 required. The total amount will be refunded (not include service charge) if the whole workshop is completed. Participants can choose to donate the deposit to Hong Kong Arts Centre.)

Conducted in Cantonese supplemented with English

5) Exhibition Tour with Curator (weekend)
Date: 21 May 2022 (Sat); 22 May 2022 (Sun); 28 May 2022 (Sat); 29 May 2022 (Sun)
Time: 14:15 - 15:00 (45 mins)
Venue: Diana Cheung Experimental Gallery, 3/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Curator: Teresa Chan
Fee: Free admission (A deposit of HK$80 is required. The total amount will be refunded (not include service charge) if the whole workshop is completed. Participants can choose to donate the deposit to Hong Kong Arts Centre.)

Conducted in Cantonese supplemented with English

6) Experiential Workshop: Wan Chai Street Tree Walk
Date: 21 May 2022 (Sat)
Time: 15:30 - 16:30 (60 mins)
Venue: Wan Chai tour
Speaker: Dr. Law Man Suet Michelle
Fee: Free Admission (A deposit of HK$80 is required. The total amount will be refunded (not include service charge) if the whole workshop is completed. Participants can choose to donate the deposit to Hong Kong Arts Centre.)

Conducted in Cantonese

7) Experiential Workshop: Leaf Art Family Workshop
Date: 22 May 2022 (Sun)
Time: 12:00 - 13:30 (90 mins)
Venue: Online via Zoom
Instructor: Teresa Chan
Fee: $100 (one adult with one child aged 5-10)

Conducted in Cantonese supplemented with English

8) Fireside Chat (1) The history of Wan Chai trees - Hong Kong greening initiatives
Date: 28 May 2022 (Sat)
Time: 15:15 - 16:15 (1 hour)
Venue: Eric HoTung Studio, LB/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Speaker: Mr. Jan Lai
Fee: Free Admission (A deposit of HK$80 is required. The total amount will be refunded (not include service charge) if the whole workshop is completed. Participants can choose to donate the deposit to Hong Kong Arts Centre.)

Conducted in Cantonese

9) Fireside Chat (2) Hong Kong cultural landscapes from oral history
Date: 28 May 2022 (Sat)
Time: 16:30 - 17:30 (1 hour)
Venue: Eric HoTung Studio, LB/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Speaker: Dr. Wong Wai-ling
Fee: Free Admission (A deposit of HK$80 is required. The total amount will be refunded (not include service charge) if the whole workshop is completed. Participants can choose to donate the deposit to Hong Kong Arts Centre.)

Conducted in Cantonese

10) Fireside Chat (3) The Art of Philosophy: Pick up fallen leaves and yourself
Date: 29 May 2022 (Sun)
Time: 15:30 - 17:30 (2 hours)
Venue: Eric HoTung Studio, LB/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Speaker: Mr. Yeung Chun-yin (Uncle Salt)
Fee: $50

Conducted in Cantonese

Remarks：

• Early bird discounts end one month before the start of each event. Only a single discount can be used per purchase.
• Early bird discount is only applicable to events with marked ticket price over $150.
• Each ticket is subjected to personal information. Any sharing or transfer of tickets is not allowed.
• Participants are reminded to check the timeslots of the selected programmes carefully, where various events will be overlapping during the Cultural Masseur Festival. No refunds or changes can be made after the purchase.
• Any registration with incomplete contact information or unfulfilled payment will not be processed.
• No smoking, eating and drinking. Unauthorized photo-taking, audio and/or video recording are strictly forbidden.
• Participants may be captured in photos or video-recordings during the programmes. The materials may be saved and uploaded to the Hong Kong Art Centre’s websites, social media platforms, publications and/or publicity materials. All photos and videos will be used for art promotion and educational purposes only.
• Participants shall present the verification email to our on-site staff before taking part in the events.
• If there are any emergencies or if you feel unwell, please seek assistance from our on-site staff immediately.
• The following anti-epidemic measures will be implemented for all events:
  • All participants must wear face masks and keep a safe distance apart.
  • Temperature checking for each participant will be conducted upon entering the venue, venue staff have the right to deny the admission of any participant with a temperature higher than 37.5°C.
  • All visitors are required to use the “Leave Home Safe” application when accessing the venues, and shall meet the requirements of the “vaccine pass”.
  • If events are cancelled due to the COVID restriction by the government, the admission fee will be refunded by the organizer after the deduction of service charges.
  • Any programmes’ arrangement would follow the latest anti-epidemic measures and regulations announced by the government.
• Adverse weather arrangements:
  • If Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or Typhoon Signal No. 3 or above is hoisted or an announcement is made by the Hong Kong Observatory that Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above is to be hoisted three hours before the activity is scheduled to start, the activity will be cancelled. All activities scheduled for that day, including those due to take place after the signal has been lowered, will be cancelled. Admission fee will be refunded after the deduction of service charges.
  • Hong Kong Art Centre will decide if the event continues and reserves the right to cancel all activities under adverse weather conditions.
• The organizer reserves the right to amend the above rules and regulations without prior notice. The organiser reserves the rights for the final decision. 
• In case of any discrepancy between the English and the Chinese version of the remarks, the Chinese version shall prevail.

Please visit https://www.culturalmasseur.hk/2022/ for more details of the programme 
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