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Sharp islandThe much anticipated second edition of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival (i.e. Sai Kung “Sea” in Cantonese) is set to captivate visitors from November 15, 2023, to January 14, 2024. Organised by the Tourism Commission, curated by One Bite Design Studio and supported by the Hong Kong Geopark, this three-year festival provides visitors with an immersive experience integrating art, culture, and exploration.

The Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival has expanded its reach from two islands (i.e.Yim Tin Tsai and Sharp Island) last year to four islands (adding Kau Sai Chau and High Island) this year, some of which previously had limited access to the public. A total of 18 artworks (one in Sai Kung, eight in Yim Tin Tsai, three in Sharp Island, three in Kau Sai Chau and three in High Island) will adorn the nooks and crannies of the islands, making the festival a perfect way for visitors to re-encounter the well-loved natural gem of Sai Kung. Eight artworks on Yim Tin Tsai and Sharp Island are fondly retained from the first event, some with evolved presentations. The remaining ten artworks are newly installed, inspired by conversations, stories, and materials derived from the Sai Kung islands, making them channels of communication of the hidden narratives of the land. In addition, more than 400 free guided tours with different themes to provide in-depth stories about the islands will be held daily, except all Mondays, which are “self-exploration days”. There will also be more than 90 free public programmes spanning workshops, performances, experiences, and talks on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays, ensuring various activities for everyone to enjoy. Most importantly, the programmes celebrate a high level of community involvement which is core to the festival.

Sharp island

This year’s festival theme, “Joy Again, Stories”, offers a sense of joy and a deepened relationship among the community, the land of Sai Kung, and visitors. Visitors will be welcomed by Joy Again, Stories: Dashing Through Weather’s Lapse by onebite and The Moving Atlas, an installation outlining the topography of the ocean and islands around Sai Kung, at Sai Kung Waterfront Park. This artwork also shows a collaboration between a research group (The Moving Atlas) and an artist (One Bite Design Studio) to co-design artwork. Together with another research group (Fragrant Village) and an artist (Napp Studio) who have created artwork to be placed in High Island, the curator has fostered collaboration of these two pairs to document the ever-growing relationships and further explore the stories behind the mesmerising islands. Both research groups have worked closely with the villagers to collect stories through interviews and casual chats during the creation process. The stories collected were shared with the artist groups and later became the bedrock of these artworks.

“Following a successful opening year of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival, we wish to bring more diversified artworks and events to the visitors this year. Looking like dots on the map, islands co-created the unique identity of Sai Kung Hoi. This year, we would like to focus on the connections between these dots to lines, between the islands and each visitor. Each line represents not only a different story, but also a different experience that evolves, grows, and transforms through time, space, and interactions. From islands to people, we hope to bring visitors all joy again through stories,” said Alan Cheung from the curatorial team.

The Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival invites locals and tourists to embark on a reflective journey through art, nature, and culture. This unique journey celebrates the beauty of Hong Kong’s islands while showcasing the boundless creativity of artists and the dialogues between researchers and the islanders. 

For more information and updates on the Festival, please visit the official website at http://www.skhartsfestival.hk/