The Works：Art & fashion upcycling, “Gender & Space”@Tai Kwun & in the studio: pianist Niu Niu

2023 is here, and the Lunar New Year will be with us soon. For some it's a time to acquire new clothes for the new year, and that often means throwing away old ones. Hong Kong government research suggests we dispose of an average of 392 tonnes of textile waste per day, 50% of which is clothing. One local artist and designer is among those trying to reduce this waste.

At Tai Kwun, the exhibition “Gender & Space” provides a different perspective on the century and a half since the Central Police Station opened on the site by focusing on the underrepresentation of women during that time, who've often been unfree, powerless, and subject to inequality. It tells the stories of women from different social backgrounds in different periods, including female prisoners, people suffering from gender-based crimes, and sex workers. It also reminds us how empowerment through education can enable upward mobility.

Pianist Niu Niu came to our studio last May with cellist Laurent Perrin to tell us about their collaboration in a concert for the French May Festival. A few weeks ago, he was with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra performing two concerts of two Tchaikovsky pieces. He’s with us now to talk about his newly released album.