HKDI and MTR announce Art in MTR Exhibition “TKL_WE_IMAGINED” presenting the urban transformation of Tiu Keng Leng from the past to the present
To energise the city with arts and design elements, Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and MTR Corporation are kicking off an exhibition project HKDI x Art in MTR ─ TKL_WE_IMAGINED to showcase a collection of playful design ideas by HKDI students. The exhibition will be launched from now to 25 February 2020 near Entrance/Exit J of MTR Central Station. The project presents Tiu Keng Leng in diverse ways that are inspired by community characteristics and the history of Tiu Keng Leng. Existing traditions meet the craft of a new generation, creating vivid ideas that add vitality to the hustle and bustle of the city.
HKDI was approached by MTR with a challenge to rejuvenate MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station. This industry collaboration provided a valuable opportunity for HKDI’s design students to experience the entire process of working with a large corporation, from project brief, pitching and presentations, to project modification in response to a professional client’s comments, and finalising the output. The participants also expressed that it was a useful lesson to sharpen their design techniques and communication skills, better preparing themselves for their careers.
Six groups of HKDI students from different design disciplines took part in the creation of works. After researching the history, culture and urban landscapes of the district, each team of students created their respective interpretations of the neighbourhood using a wide range of design media channels, including furniture, illustration, character design, environmental arts, advertising campaign and interior installations. Two of the six works have been selected for future display in Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station as the rejuvenation project’s final designs.
TKL_WE_IMAGINED has unleashed students’ astonishing creativity and innovative production processes. Since the early 20th century, the neighbourhood has held strong historical significance throughout the city’s development. Artwork “The Transformation”, designed by five Visual Communication students , consists of four sets of seats in cubical shapes embedded with the history of the community. Passengers can see the iconic Tiu Keng Leng landmarks represented in the seats, including the early primitive shelter houses of local residents/fishermen before the 1950s, the squatter area in the 1960s and 70s, modern housing estates in the 1980 - 1990s, as well as the Hong Kong Design Institute, a neighbourhood landmark since the 2000s. Another work - “Architectural Evolution” – also reveals the neighbourhood from a historical perspective. Done as a long computer-drawn scroll, the project presents the architectural changes in the community over the past century, including the A-shaped stilt houses, the squatter area, the old police station at the peak, the modern shopping malls and tall residential buildings of the New Town, as well as the HKDI. “By-cycle”, created by students majoring in Landscape Architecture, introduces one of the major elements of the Tiu Keng Leng community ─ turning bikes into station art. Meanwhile, “Mirage” is a geometric mirror wall statue based on old pictures of Tiu Keng Leng’s shores, echoing one of the neighbourhood’s earliest names, “The Ridge of Mirror Reflection”.
Andrew Mead, the MTR’s Chief Architect (ARBUK) added: “HKDI x Art in MTR ─ TKL_WE_IMAGINED is an exhibition that showcases the creativity of the student proposals selected as the finalists for the station artwork of MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station. From the view of young people, HKDI students presented their own interpretations of Tiu Keng Leng in such a unique and interesting way. Their ideas and works greatly demonstrated their creative talents and professionalism. The exhibition in Central Station serves as a preview of the extraordinary designs by the students. We also look forward to bringing two of the artworks to Tiu Keng Leng Station later, adding a new aesthetic environment with lots of local historical and community elements for the public.”
Since 1998, the MTR Corporation has integrated art into stations to enhance customer experience. Station spaces are utilised to inspire the public, contribute to the development of communities and enhance quality of life. The TKL_WE_IMAGINED exhibition in MTR Central Station highlights the pride that students take in being a part of the Tiu Keng Leng community and Hong Kong at large. Their talents will build a bridge that brings the community and its people closer together.
HKDI x Art in MTR ─ TKL_WE_IMAGINED
Date: 14 January, 2020 – 25 February, 2020
Venue: Entrance/Exit J, MTR Central Station
About Tiu Keng Leng (TKL)
Tiu Keng Leng is one of the third generation Hong Kong new towns in Tseung Kwan O. It is a residential area populated with fifty thousand residents situated in Sai Kung distract of East Kowloon. In its early years, TKL was a military base, with nearby villages and squatter areas. A community with a resettlement area, residential buildings and social facilities such as a post office and fire station was gradually developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Then reclamation development took place over twenty years. The government undertook construction of public, Home Ownership Scheme estates and private housing estates, as well as an enhanced transport network. Tiu Keng Leng Station has become one of the most important stations in East Kowloon by connecting the Kwun Tong Line and Tseung Kwan O Line.
About Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI)
The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is a member of Vocational Training Council (VTC) Group. HKDI was established in 2007 with the mission to be a leading provider of design education and lifelong learning, including architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media, fashion and image design. With a view to providing professional designers for the creative industries, HKDI promotes the “think and do” approach and encourages interdisciplinary thinking in its broad range of design programmes. HKDI maintains a strong network with industry and provides its students with essential practical experience enriched with cultural sensitivities and sustainability. Overseas exchanges are actively arranged for students to broaden their international perspective. Website: www.hkdi.edu.hk
About MTR Corporation
Every day, MTR connects people and communities. As a recognised world-class operator of sustainable rail transport services, we are a leader in safety, reliability, customer service and efficiency.
MTR has extensive end-to-end railway expertise with more than 40 years of railway projects experience from design to planning and construction through to commissioning, maintenance and operations. Going beyond railway delivery and operation, MTR also creates and manages dynamic communities around its network through seamless integration of rail, commercial and property development.
With more than 40,000 dedicated staff*, MTR carries over 13 million passenger journeys worldwide every weekday in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia and the Mainland of China. MTR strives to grow and connect communities for a better future.
For more information about MTR Corporation, please visit www.mtr.com.hk.
*includes our subsidiaries and associates in Hong Kong and worldwide
