In turbulent times, the tree can’t help crying, fallen leaves fill the pavement.
“When Trees Cry in the City” celebrates and explores the meaning of existence of the street trees from a new artistic perspective. The project takes place in Wan Chai because of its rich heritage manifesting the collective memories of Hong Kong people.
The current Hong Kong roadside urban forest is dominated by about 20 common tree species. No matter native or exotic species, they have been living together with us for a long time to witness what is happening in the city. People come and go while the trees stay.
With anthropological and ecological approaches, the project uses street trees and their fallen leaves as a medium to connect the minds and emotions of people and trees, so as to take some of the burdens off us as individuals living in Hong Kong.
The project is a Self Institute Seed Project which comprises three components: 1) Wan Chai Tree Tour Map; 2) Leaf Craft Stories Exhibition; and 3) experiential activities including tours, workshops and fireside chats.
The Leaf Craft Stories Exhibition showcases the fallen leaf craft artworks and photos with historical stories behind. The guided tours introduce the basic knowledge of plant identification and how to observe a leaf. By attending the workshops and fireside chats, participants will further understand the project intention and contribute to the discourse on the nature-culture divide.
Date: 20-29 May 2022
Time: 10:00 – 18:00
Venue: Diana Cheung Experimental Gallery, 3/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre (Map)
The Tree Tour Map introduces trees of historical significance or related to the neighbourhood, bringing Hong Kong people to explore Wan Chai. Residents and artists are invited to share photos, sketches or any creations of the tree’s locations, developing daily life connections with street trees, and promoting coexistence between humans and trees.
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Teresa Chan is currently an independent researcher, writer and illustrator. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Ecology & Biodiversity from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and her Master’s degree in Anthropology from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a nature lover, she began committing herself to urban-rural development and research of communities in Wan Chai, Lamma Island and Lai Chi Wo, after a long stay farming with indigenous people in Taiwan. She is also engaged in early childhood education with Montessori philosophy and has published several picture books including “Grandpa, What’s Your Dream?” (2019), “The Colours of Nature” (2020) and “Angry Croissant” (2021). She responds to social issues through artistic creation and comic drawing. Her works were featured in “A Tribute to Yasi” Exhibition by HKU (2018) and The Washington Post (2021). She is exploring fallen leaves as a medium to portrait the city and its ever-changing character.
Cultural Masseur Festival is the platform, which strives to break the wall between art and daily life, takes root in research and practice, generating knowledge, peers nourishment, to unleash the potential that lies within every individual by collaboration through prototyping impactful ideas and offering experiential encounters.
Organiser of Cultural Masseur Festival 2022. Since 1977, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has been a platform for nurturing and supporting artists, and infusing arts into everyday life. Its unique arts and educational programmes aim to make the arts accessible for all.
