Garden of earthly delights
At the far end of the lobby, reproductions of bird and animal illustrations depict both native species as well as some introduced to Hong Kong in the 19th century. They have since become naturalized. Visitors can press a button under each illustration to hear the call of the bird or animal in question.
The exhibition's Chinese title - Sheng, Cun, Zai - conveys the idea of living with the dual intention of preserving the past while being mindful of the present. Tse credits Chan with applying this "philosophical perspective", which she says, "creates critical distance for me to look at my own works".
With Chan's help, a through line in Tse's oeuvre since 1999 emerged. The artist summarizes it as: "how to regenerate and preserve the disappearing and soon-to-be-disappeared, and re-present the existence of this moment".
"For Tse, history does not only point to the past," affirms the curator. "History is something living: a constant renewal of the present."
If you go
Of Being There…
Venue: Wyndham Social, G/F, 33 Wyndham Street, Central
Dates: Through March 27
