Featuring Works from 13 Asian Countries, Colours of Asia Exhibition
Featuring Works from 13 Asian Countries, Colours of Asia Exhibition
Conjures up Colours and Hues, Showcases Culture
8 November 2012
The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee), partnered with the Design Alliance Asia (tDA Asia) to host the Colours of Asia Exhibition at d-mart of HKDI and IVE (Lee Wai Lee), from 3 November to 31 December. Through the artistic and creative use of five boldand bright colours, hundreds of exhibits from 13 Asian regions embedded with powerful and individualistic cultural messages signifying the intricate interplay among Asian cultures through unique perspectives are on display. While visitors savour the vivid colours of Asia, the exhibition also promotes thedevelopment of cross-region design.
The exhibition comprises seven major exhibition areas, including five areas categorised by colours and two areas focusing on cultural and heritage: “life and ritual” and “world market”. The exhibits examine the five dominant colours of red, yellow, blue, green, black/white and their respective diverse manifestations across traditional and contemporary designs. Traditional crafts, objects of festivities, food and spices as well as packaging design of lifestyle products are to be served as visual feasts allowing visitors to understand the unique cultures behind different regions. Colours permeating cultures and symbolism include red paper puppets from the Philippines, yellow seals used by royalties in Vietnam and horseshoe inblue signifying good luck in Lebanon. In addition, the red packets commonly distributed in festivals are in green instead for Malaysia and Singapore. Contrary to the perception that ethnic costumes are rich in colours, Middle East people are often dressed in black and white.
The diverse cultures across Asian regions are the main focus of the two exhibition areas “life and ritual” and “world market”. Highlights of the rich culture and long history in these countries are exemplified in artifacts such as traditional rattan-weaved utensils, wedding apparels and gifts, masks and textile products.
To facilitate appreciation of the exhibition for secondary and primary school students, HKDI students will serve as docents to introduce the themes and exhibits for each of the seven exhibition areas. Workshops are conducted by Lebanese artist to create artworks together with participants. Seminar and forum were held, where guests and speakers can discuss the cultural significance represented by colours in different Asian regions.