The Works：YMT Theatre II redevelopment rejected in Legco, art & medicine with Zhang Yanzi, Lam Tung-

The four-year tenure of the 2012-2016 Legislative Council ended last week. The 5th Legco since the establishment of the HKSAR saw the most meetings adjourned of any so far, as legislators used filibusters and quorum calls to delay or reject some of the government’s more controversial plans. One of the rejected projects was phase two of the development of Yau Ma Tei Theatre.
Repurposing old and heritage-rich buildings for the arts and other creative enterprises is a common approach in many part of the world. We just looked at one example in the Yau Ma Tei theatre. Another is the current location of the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences. The Old Pathological Institute has been home to the museum under a concessionary lease since 1996. The museum features eleven exhibition galleries that preserve and highlight materials relating to the history of Hong Kong’s health care. Until the end of August, it’s also featuring a rare merging of art and the medical.
The role of the curator is constantly extending beyond the museum into commercial galleries and other art institutes. Even artists themselves are taking on curatorial roles in their collaborations with other artists. The exhibitions and projects that have resulted from that changing role are varied too. In the past, local artist Lam Tung-pang has worked with museums, galleries and even shopping malls. For his latest exhibition, architect, art collector, and long-time friend William Lim was his curator.
What kind of pop music do you like? Well, before you answer that you might be surprised to know that according to Spotify’s resident “data alchemist” Glenn McDonald, there are almost 1,400 sub-genres to choose from. Hong Kong’s music scene is mostly dominated by just one: Cantopop. But the local Indie scene consists of many more, among them rock, post-rock, instrumental rock, heavy metal, hardcore, punk, emo, shoe-gaze and math rock. This week, we’re taking a look at one indie band: Prune Deer.