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2017-03-15


“Paper Says: Metamorphosis of Paper in Our Lives” A Paper Art Exhibition Eight JCCAC studios explore the changing role and value
Paper Says: Metamorphosis of Paper in Our Lives paper art exhibition will open to public on 15 March 2017 in the Central Courtyard of Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC). Organised by the JCCAC and sponsored by the Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) , the exhibition features eight JCCAC studios whose artworks explore the evolving role of paper in today’s digital world. For generations, paper has been used as a vessel to record and pass on thoughts, knowledge and beliefs among people. In the face of the emerging digitised world which has disrupted traditional thoughts, eight JCCAC studios draw inspirations from paper into their creations. They explore the changing role of paper and challenge us to rethink the core values and beliefs of our time, by giving paper a voice through their artworks. Participating JCCAC studios and respective artworks includes: • The Papers by Dirty Paper – A set of 28 drawings and illustrations to capture personal experience and collective memories • Life by goodmonday – Growing flowers in test tubes with pulp, paper and other materials to highlight the vitality of flowers and paper • Days in the folds by Blanche HO – Slipping between the virtual and the real with paper and ceramics • From Pulp to Paper – Inspired by Ray Tomasso by Hong Kong Open Printshop – Exploring the possibilities of pulp and unveiling the original form of paper through a paper sculpture made from raw materials • Flame of the Forest by LAM Pei – Marrying recycled paper and Delonix regia, and creating a paper mache sculpture to give the materials a new and more lasting life • The tree odyssey by Joey LEUNG – Drawing inspirations from Xi Murong’s poem to connect human, trees and paper • Before we turn to ashes by Rainbow LEUNG – Using pen and paper to capture the exchange of love and warmth with ten of the most intimate persons in life • Side of paper by Carmen NG – Creating strokes on the sides of a pile of paper to visualise life experience and imagination of nature One of the participating artists Lam Pei explained her creative concept, “Every day I collect papers from various sources and, over time, I have accumulated quite a big pile. I believe even waste paper can be an artistic medium and creativity is all it takes. As my collection grows, it was not until I was given a piece of wood from a Delonix regia tree, a tree that symbolises rebirth, that I decided to marry the materials in my paper mache creation. It is the reunion of the present and the past.” Rainbow Leung, the creator of Before We Turn to Ashes said, “Everything in life, no matter tangible or intangible, fades after death. But it is love that has kept us warm before we turn into ashes. Paper to me is the carrier of people interactions. To demonstrate this, I have invited ten of the most intimate people to write to me and I responded through my drawings.” Art collective “Dirty Paper”, formed by Chan Wai Lap and Yau Kwok Keung in 2010, said, “From a document, a certificate to a ticket and a receipt, some of them are treasured by people while others will be dumped after use. No matter how trivial these papers might seem, there records our everyday memory and the proof of our living in the world.” Lillian Hau, Executive Director of JCCAC, said, “The theme of this exhibition is paper. Through artistic expression, the exhibition explores the impact of rapid technological advancements on the environment, our modern lifestyle, social values, and our relationship with people and nature. Arts can play in-depth and diverse personal and social functions, and we hope that art exhibitions like this will help stimulate profound reflection and dialogue.” A recent survey on paper usage in Hong Kong, conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University , revealed that although it is common nowadays to send e-cards and read news online, over 80% of respondents said that they only acknowledge printed contracts and legal documents in hardcopies because formal records in print give a sense of security. Over 40% of respondents said that they prefer to receive printed wedding invitations party due to long-established tradition and that they can keep a memorable, physical record. Thomas Yu, Head of Gold East Trading (Hong Kong) Company Limited, a subsidiary of APP, said, “Paper has been a convenient vessel for us to share information and knowledge for centuries. With the advent of digital transformation and the impact of climate change, however, paper has taken up a challenging and ever-changing role in daily life; we had never hesitated as much as we do now over whether to use paper. In fact, sustainability is the key to environmentally-friendly paper consumption. At the heart of APP, sustainability is the key drive of our development where we take a balanced approach towards the community, environment, and economy. “Through the exhibition and drawing inspirations from the eight artistic studios, we hope to take on paper as the starting point to lead the public to rethink the position and value of paper in our life. Also, with APP as an example, we hope the public can have a better understanding of the sustainability development of the paper industry and paper products.” During the exhibition period, visitors are welcome to participate in a public engagement activity “About paper, On paper”. By putting down thoughts on paper and posting the interactive memo onto the dedicated display board, visitors can share their views about their connection with paper or inspirations drawn from the artworks. The Paper Says: Metamorphosis of Paper in Our Lives paper art exhibition will take place in Central Courtyard, JCCAC (30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon). The exhibition is open to the public between 10am and 10pm daily from 15 March to 22 March 2017.