Hong Kong Arts Centre enlivens urban neighbourhood with public art

Dezeen promotion: a community garden that transforms produce waste from a street market into fertiliser is among a series of installations created by eight artists and architects for a mixed-use urban area in the Eastern District of Hong Kong.

The installations, which are currently on view, were unveiled on 30 August as part of Via North Point – a festival in the North Point Community – one of Hong Kong island’s oldest neighbourhoods.

“North Point is one of the oldest neighbourhoods on Hong Kong island full of stories of many generations,” said the Hong Kong Arts Centre. “It has remained very local, old, and traditional for many years until recently as the district is rapidly facing gentrification when new, modern private property is being built.”

The festival, spearheaded by Hong Kong Arts Centre and sponsored by the city’s Urban Renewal Fund since 2019, encourages visitors and locals to engage with this lively area of the city.

This year’s showcased installations are the result of a competition that was launched in January 2021 calling upon urban space designers, experts and enthusiasts to reimagine the neighbourhood, which has undergone major redevelopment in the past 20 years.

Of the nearly 80 entries received, six were chosen to be brought from concept to reality. These six selected land-sited works are complemented by two commissioned floating installations.

Scattered from Chun Yeung Street to the sea east of North Point Public Pier, each installation is based upon independent research into North Point neighbourhood, observations of users’ behaviour and lengthy discussions with local residents.

Addressing different aspects of the neighbourhood’s needs and aspirations, many of the concepts advocate for sustainability through biodiversity and up-cycling while others encourage social interaction within the community.

Local architecture firm MLKK Studio responded to the beautiful chaos of the market street by creating A Cycle of Life, a food waste collection point and community garden in Chun Yeung that transforms produce waste into fertiliser and energy to benefit the community.

Also included is the Symphony of North Point by ARTA Architects’ interactive sound exchanging device that amplifies the sounds of North Point while encouraging youth to make music.

AaaM Architects’ Hangout Islands presented a series of plant-filled summer pavilions that are dotted along the North Point pier providing a relaxed beach-style environment for people of all ages to socialise.

Also included is O&O Studio x REhyphenation’s North Pointer project, which features a series of old chairs that were collected from North Point schools, households and street stalls.

Now installed along the public pier, the chairs are accompanied by audio recordings of their…