26 & 27 JULY 2008
Opening hours: Sat 2-10pm, Sun 2-8pm
Talk: Artist talk 4pm (Sat), Special guest talk w/ Prof. Linda LAI and Luke CHING 6pm (Sat)
Performance by: Brown Note Collective, 8pm (Sat)
Venue: KLUUBB, 14/F, 367 Hennessy Road, Wanchai - Causeway Bay MTR

'Storytelling is the ancient art of conveying events in words, images, and sounds..'

Folktales From Many Lands exhibition tells a story about a journey around the city. On April 13, 2008 two buses with 50 curious passengers were taken on a ride to four remote locations for an unexpected day of art, music and performances. From Wong Tai Sin to the Southern District, the journey explores places throughout the unique landscapes of Hong Kong. The story of the journey is retold through photographs, videos and artifacts from all participants and travelers of the trip. What is revealed is a magical day of exploration and discovery through a shared experience of art, nature, and travel.

press release

Partner :
HONG KONG IS OUR MUSEUM (Map Office + Prof. Norman FORD) + KLUUBB + LOUDSPKR

Supporter :
1a Space, Kapok, MCCM Creations, White Noise Records, Prof. Linda LAI, Luke CHING, Dawei Charitable Foundation Limited

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FOLKTALES FROM MANY LANDS | the journey
Sunday, April 13, 2008

Retelling 1:

On a quiet Sunday (April 13th, 2008) we took two busloads of people on a one-day journey around the city. We travelled to 4 remote locations with 60 unknowing travellers. Meeting at Hung Hom Station in Kowloon, we counted and gathered people onto our brightly coloured busses. Disposable cameras were handed out to allow travellers to capture their day's events. The rain earlier in the morning left the air misty and heavy, but soon began to clear as the day went on. We soon set off on our journey to the first point in Lok Fu Park.

The travellers were lead up the hill by our mobile band Brown Note Collective, who provided the soundtrack for the day. Drums, trombone, flute, shakers, erhu sounds filled the air. A large slow moving crowd followed by music was an unusual sight for local residents walking their dogs. Upon the end of the path in a circular sitting area, large floating pillows battered around the space before being taken along by many of the travellers. One floating pillow is lost amongst the trees. Further up the hill, there is a large green field where travellers freely roam. A sculptural piece in the centre of a two hearts and an arrow sits embedded in the earth. Music players disperse and travellers enjoy the open air.

Back down to the bus, travellers are taken to the next location: the Kai Tak Concord. This is where the old airport used to be located and where planes used to land by fly in narrowly between the city's skyscrapers. The area now remains as a large field of rubble that is soon due for redevelopment. Under the grey sky, the distant high-rises could be seen on the horizons. This area is generally not allowed for public access. In the field, two figures, a girl and a boy dressed in blue emerge. They appear to be lost, carrying an obscenely large map, suitcase and a camera. The stand looking into the distance. The boy sets up a tripod and begins to take pictures asking the observing travellers to help take the pictures as well. After some rotations, the two pack up their things and head off into the distance. The travellers, some still carrying the soft floating pillows are dispersed throughout the field. The band begins to play and lead the way out, as security urges us onwards.

Through the tunnel and onto the Hong Kong island, we make a pit-stop in Sheung Wan. Some travellers take leave, while we pick up some new ones. After a moment for lunch, we head off again up the mountain to Mount Davis, where a former bomb shelter and microwave towers now remain. Amongst trees on top of the pointed shelter, travellers lie around, listening to the echos of music emerging from inside the chamber. Kokdamon hides inside with his guitar using natural reverberation to make the sound travel. Travellers relax and take a moment to listen.

Further up the stairs to the peak, travellers roam through grassy fields as cargo ships are seem moving slow across the water in the distance. A team of unexpected motorcyclists rush up the mountain showing off. We return to the bus and we swerve back down the mountain and around to the southern end of the island to Middle Bay.

Down the stairs and to the edge of the water, a masked character is reading a large blank book. This character begins to dance and recite a script in the style of a Chinese opera. He moves through the sands as the sun begins to set. His song is carried out by the rocks next to the water as he moves from below to the upper platform and back down. The performance ends as the day comes to an end. Travellers rest by the sand as the musicians play out to the water as the journey of the day is over.