The Works：ADC Award controversy, Nick Danziger's photo exhibition of North Korea, illustrator Yeun

Every year the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards recognise the achievements of Hong Kong-based cultural practitioners in arts criticism, dance, drama, media arts, music, visual arts, and film. But the awards don’t happen without their fair share of criticism. In 2013, there were allegations of a conflict of interest between the winner of the arts criticism prize and some of the judging panel. This year, the controversy is about what should happen when judges think that there just isn’t work of sufficient quality to deserve an award.
Largely by its own choice, North Korea is one of the world’s most isolated countries, also facing sanctions from the United States, most of Europe, and the United Nations. Not many foreigners get in, and not many North Koreans get out. Even briefly. Two people who did get in, AND out, with the help of the British Council, are photographer Nick Danziger and writer Rory MacLean. They visited in August 2013, and at the Hong Kong Arts Centre until 28th April you can see 81 colour photographs from that trip in “Above the Line: People and Places in the DPRK”.
Since studying illustration Yeung Hok-tak has worked in a design house, advertising agency and publication company. He has described his own work as in “wild beast style”, and he adds that among his favourite painters are the Fauvists, the school of artists famously named after “wild beasts”. For a year, from last December, the Open Print Shop is organizing a series of five pop up exhibitions called POP UP PRESS! at different Hong Kong locations to introduce the art of printmaking to the public. Yeung Hok-tak is one of the artists invited to take part.
The Piano Guys consists of four members: a pianist, a cellist, a music producer and, just as importantly, a videographer. It’s important because they built up their reputation not just through their music but also through making music videos and posting them on social media. Their YouTube channel has more than half a billion video views and over three million subscribers. The Piano Guys say they want to play classically influenced instrumental music, showcase incredible locations, and produce videos that inspire and uplift. Last Saturday they gave a live performance in Hong Kong, and The Works caught up with them at rehearsal.