News

(22 August 2014 – Hong Kong) An art and cultural event entitled  “City Trace Memories – The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong” conducted by New World China Land Limited (“NWCL”, Stock Code: 917.HK) was officially launched on 2 August. The exhitbition showcases 6 contemporary sculptures representing the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of different cities in Mainland China alongside a giant installation art “Urban Cultural Typecase” which its construction blueprint was based on the ICH of Hong Kong. Due to the immense demand, New World China Land Limited decides to extend the exhibition period from 3 to 17 September at Art One Gallery, Wan Chai. 

Meanwhile, to tie in with “City Trace Memories – The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong” event, New World China Land Limited has selected the distinctive technique of Hong Kong style beverage “Yuanyang”, which is listed on the intangible cultural heritage inventory of Hong Kong for promotion. On 21 August, New World China Land Limited invited Champion Lam Siu Ngong to demonstrate his handful skill of making “Yuanyang” to the staff of New World Group. All staffs were amazed by the skillfulness of Champion Lam in which more than 140 cups of “Yuanyang” were given out within an hour. “Yuanyang”, a mixture of coffee and tea, is also seen as a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. Champion Lam expressed that to brew a cup of “Yuanyang” that smells, looks and tastes great, the selection of tea-leaves and proportion of coffee need to be precisely chosen. 

NWCL launched  “City Trace Memories – The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong” as an extension of the roving exhibition in Mainland China and the U.S. to echo with the announcement of first intangible cultural heritage inventory of Hong Kong by The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on 17 June. NWCL adds the local element to this exhibition by specially inviting Tse Kwok Wah, one of the very few experienced white iron matalsmiths in Hong Kong, together with the local social enterprise Run 2 Tree to produce a unique “Urban Cultural Typecase” art installation. 

Based on the model of movable type printing featuring Chinese characters, the “Urban Cultural Typecase” art installation is made of white iron and has a series of specially designed devices named “Silhouette Window”. Those devices skillfully interplays light and shadow, through which visitors can explore Hong Kong ICH items such as Fire Dragon, Bun Scrambling Competition, making techniques of Bamboo Steamer, white iron, Cantonese Opera and Movable Type Printing. The design of whole installation presents not only the essence of Movable Type Printing, but also the beauty of high-rise blocks in picturesque disorder in the city, showing that NWCL has been always concerned about the city’s history conservation and committed to creating high quality urban environment.  In addition, posters and a custom-made chop with the pattern designed on the basis of seven ICH items on display are set beside each sculpture. The public can tailor make the unique posters with different chops on site, which is the best way to promote the folk wisdom. 

Hong Kong is the last stop of NWCL’s roving exhibition campaign. NWCL launched this nationwide campaign entitled “New World Memories – A Tribute to Intangible Cultural Heritage” in September 2013. “Sichuan shadow puppet show, Shandong nut-craving, Shenyang song-and-dance duet, Hubei Wudang martial arts, Guangdong dragon boat and Guizhou Miao embroidery” have been selected as “My Favourite Intangible Cultural Heritages Items” by over ten thousand people from an online voting activity. A team of art professors from Tsinghua University are invited to create six sculptures based on the shortlisted items and the final art pieces have been exhibited in China. 

The campaign has netted a Gold Award in the category of “Community Relations – Cultural and Sports” in the 11th China Golden Awards for Excellence in Public Relations organized by the Chinese International Public Relations Association (CIPRA).