Sound Art – More than Noise
In a noisy city like Hong Kong, it is easy to block out the different sounds that make up our auditory experience. Varsity meets a group of artists who are trying to teach Hong Kongers to listen again, and to find the art in sound.
Flash Mob Takes off in Hong Kong
From a seemingly spontaneous mass performance of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" in Mong Kok, to an apparently aimless pillow fight in Central, to a mass gathering to call for the elimination of violence against women - flash mobs have become increasingly popular in Hong Kong. Varsity finds out how something that started as a sarcastic commentary on urban hipsters turned into a way to connect people and raise social awareness.
The Unsung Heroes of the Music World
Not all singers perform for fame and fortune. Demo singers are unknown and usually uncredited, yet they are often the first artists to interpret and and record a song. While backing singers provide the harmonies that can complete and elevate an arrangement. Varsity lifts the veil on these unsung heroes of the music industry.
Playing with Shadows
Chinese shadow play, involving intricately cut out puppets made from cow and donkey hide, are thought to have originated more than 2000 years ago during the Han dynasty. Varsity meets a Hong Kong shadow play master who is attempting to keep this ancient art alive by incorporating modern storylines, introducing modern characters and training a new generation of puppeteers.
In the Mood for Cheongsam
From the "World of Suzie Wong" to "In the Mood for Love", the cheongsam or qipao is an iconic garment that symbolises Hong Kong femininity in the popular imagination. Here two very different cheongsam collectors tell Varsity why they love these figure hugging Chinese dresses.
Cultural Crossover in Yau Ma Tei
If Hong Kong's local cultural identity has been experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years, then Yau Ma Tei is central in the revival. The area has long been known for its authentic yet low-key local flavour. This has attracted an influx of cultural workers and artists who are inspired by the sense of community in the neighbourhood.
Collecting Childhood Memories
It's not just the faces of children that will light up when they unwrap toys this Christmas. Varsity meets the adults whose passion is to collect old toys. For them, the toys are not just mere objects for play but the key to childhood and collective memories.
Naked Sanctuary
Complete nudity in public is outlawed in Hong Kong but local nudists have been quietly sun-bathing in the more remote beaches of the territory. For them, nudism is about getting back to basics, being closer to nature and finding a refuge from the superficiality of modern city life.
Art for All
Meet a group of young artists, designers and art-lovers who believe art should be down with the people. Hong Kong's Street Art Movement aims to move art from the rarified world of high-end galleries and into the streets.
April 2012 – Hong Kong’s Ailing Health System
Hong Kong has one of the better public health systems in the world but the system is groaning under the challenge of an aging...
