Join us tomorrow evening, September 27, for the opening of Islands Off the Shores of Asia, a joint exhibition presented by Spring Workshop and Para Site, that focuses on the ideological, historical, mystical, and fictional interpretations of the small, remote, largely uninhabited and unvisited islands claimed in one combination or another by various nations in East Asia. These geographically insignificant rocks have become in recent years the focus of growing nationalism in the region and sites for projecting imperial pride and power, and are considered a dangerous sign of things to come. But why islands? Could there be a deeper reason, one that is rooted in myths and cultural patterns for millions to project their most radical politics over pieces of land that are effectively invisible on regional maps and might not even really exist?

The show features artists including Julieta Aranda (Mexico/Germany), Rosa Barba (Italy), Alvaro Barrios (Colombia), James T. Hong (Taiwan), Katsushika Hokusai (Japan), Takiji Kobayashi (Japan), Charles Lim (Singapore), MAP Office (Hong Kong), Pak Sheung Chuen (Hong Kong), Howie Tsui (Hong Kong/Canada), Ming Wong (Singapore) in collaboration with Thomas Tsang/Dehow Projects (USA), and Zheng Guogu (China).

Curators for the show are Cosmin Costinas, Executive Director/Curator of Para Site and Inti Guerrero, Associate Artistic Director-Curator of TEOR/ética, Costa Rica.

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Opening reception: September 27 (Saturday)
5-8pm Artists present will include James T. Hong, MAP Office, Howie Tsui, Ming Wong and Zheng Guogu with curators Cosmin Costinas and Inti Guerrero

6-7pm Artist talk 

To coincide with South Island Art Day, the show is open for viewing from 12pm to 8pm on September 27.

Other programs:
Boat exploration through Hong Kong’s remote islands guided by artist James T Hong
28 September 2014

Curators’ tour
7 December 2014 (time TBA)

EXHIBITION HOURS:
September 27 – December 7
12pm to 6pm (Tuesday to Sunday, 0pen on Public Holidays)

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Para Site Art Space is financially supported by the Springboard Grant under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Get off the beaten track and come to South Island Art Day on Saturday, September 27, 12-8pm.  You can start with a visit to Spring Workshop, which will be showing an exhibition co-presented by Para Site, Islands Off The Shores of Asia.

You can also take a look at the budding farm that is beginning to take shape on Spring’s terrace under the guidance of Glenn Ellingsen, Michael Leung and Anthony Ko of Hong Kong Farm.

Once you arrive at Spring, we will give you a neighbourhood map to guide you to the following 20 galleries, artist studios and eateries in Wong Chuk Hang, Tin Wan and Ap Lei Chau.

To make the trip extra easy, there will be free shuttles running from Central to Wong Chuk Hang:
From 12noon to 8pm:
Every 30 minutes from Central (World Wide House, Chater Road) to Wong Chuk Hang Road
Every 20 minutes from 40 Wong Chuk Hang Road to Ap Lei Chau and Tin Wan

We would like to thank our neighbour Pomegranate Kitchen for sponsoring the canapés!