The Works："Memories to Choke On, Drinks to Wash Them Down", Blindspot Gallery & Cellist Calvin Wong

In a few of our earlier programmes, The Works has looked at changes in the old mostly working-class neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po. Today, thanks to its comparatively low rents, artists, culture workers, entrepreneurs and other businesses have moved into the neighbourhood, making it one of Hong Kong’s hippest places to be. With that has inevitably come a degree of gentrification and rising prices. For those who have long lived there, the district is still brings together old and new. One director couple has decided to dedicate a film to a few of the neighbourhood’s vibrant lives and stories.

In a group exhibition at Blindspot Gallery, “The Palm at the End of the Mind” three artists, Lau Hok-shing, So Wing-Po and Zhang Ruyi explore the idea of the senses and feeling through sculptural objects and installations. Regular viewers of the show will recognise the Chinese medicine inspired works of So Wing-po, as well as Lau Hok-shing’s sculptural pieces the echo the rocks traditionally appreciated by Chinese scholar’s rocks. Meanwhile, mainland artist Zhang Ruyi’s sound installation incorporates a collection of audio recordings made in Shanghai construction sites.

After studying at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong cellist Calvin Wong went on to take a master’s degree at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. He is now based in Germany and often performs both there and in Italy as a soloist. He recently returned to Hong Kong for a cello recital scheduled for this week at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre. The programme was to include festive music by Bach, Richard Strauss, Schubert and Bright Sheng. Due to Covid-19, that concert is being postponed. But earlier this week, Calvin came to our studio.