2022-09-03

[ 25 Years of Design ] opens its doors to the public - An exhibition celebrating Hong Kong’s progressive design journey from past, present and into the future across the Greater Bay region

[ 25 Years of Design ] opens its doors to the public - An exhibition celebrating Hong Kong’s progressive design journey from past, present and into the future across the Greater Bay region

[ 25 Years of Design ], a special exhibition that celebrates Hong Kong’s design achievements for more than two decades, officially opens its doors today. Organized by Designworks Foundation, curated by its founder Winnie Yue and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the exhibition runs from today through September 3 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and is free to the public. An accredited event in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), [ 25 Years of Design ] features immersive exhibitions and multi-strand programmes that highlight some of the most influential and impactful architectural and design projects, reflecting innovation, creativity and resilience in Hong Kong’s history.

On August 31, [ 25 Years of Design ] held an opening ceremony graced by Kevin Yeung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Rita Fan, GBM, GBS, CBE, JP, former president of the Legislative Council and the Honorary Advisor of [ 25 Years of Design ]; Zhang Guoyi, Deputy Director – General, Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affair, Hong Kong Liaison Office; Kenneth Fok, JP, member of the Legislative Council; Regina Ip, GBM, GBS, JP, convenor of the Executive Council, member of the Legislative Council, and Honorary Advisor of [ 25 Years of Design ]; Jeffrey Lam, GBS, JP , member of the Executive & Legislative Council; Carmen Kan, member of the Legislative Council; Chow Man Kong, member of the Legislative Council; Kelvin Lo, JP, Director of Water Supplies Department; Victor Hui, GBS, MBE, JP, President of the Hong Kong Elite Athlete’s Association; TK Yeung, Sport Commissioner of the Home Affairs Bureau; William Lim, Honorary Advisor of [ 25 Years of Design ]; Steve Leung, Honorary Advisor of [ 25 Years of Design ]; Douglas So, BBS, JP, Chairman of Antiquities Advisory Board, Honorary Advisor of [ 25 Years of Design ]; Victor Tsang, Head of CreateHK of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Kenneth Wong, General Manager of MICE & Cruise of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Gioia Morena Gatti, Italy Trade Commissioner of Hong Kong; Antionietta Cornacchia, Deputy Consul General of Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong; Stefano Fossati, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Hong Kong & Macau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation; and Corin Wilson, Director of UK International Trade and Investment.

As informed by a collective pursuit to disseminate creative culture and insights, [ 25 Years of Design ] offers a unique opportunity to reiterate Hong Kong's values and vision for the foreseeable future across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Encompassing ten sections, highlight presentations of the [ 25 Years of Design ] include a Design Gallery spotlighting a collection of outstanding public projects across transport, medical, academic, housing, heritage, cultural and leisure sectors, such as the Chek Lap Kok airport, Dr Sun Yat Sen Museum, Hong Kong Velodrome, M+ Museum, Green@Wanchai Stations and Bishop Hill Service Reservoir; a Design Library featuring products by leading Hong Kong-based designers from furniture to lighting and home accessories; as well as two international pavilions in collaboration with Design Italy by the Italian Cultural Institute and Hong Kong Design Institute showcasing seminal works from the Memphis Group, and a UK Pavilion by UK Trade and Investment. In addition, there is an exhibition on the Greater Bay Area as well as creative MIC (Modular Integrated Construction) Housing Installations.

[ 25 Years of Design ] also includes a bilingual ‘Dialogue Speakers Series’ of master talks throughout the duration bringing leading architects and emerging designers together to offer their insights into key topics in design and urban development, engage in creative exchange and foster greater design appreciation among public audiences. Highlight speakers include Keith Griffiths, Chair of Aedas; Bryant Lu, Vice Chairman, Ronald Lu and Partners; Elaine Ng, Founder of Fabrick Lab; and Michael Young of MYoung studio, among others.

In addition [ 25 Years of Design ] explores aspects of Hong Kong’s culture, history and heritage including The Lion Rock Spirit featuring miniature models of local structures common during 1960s-70s, Kaleidoscope: Magic of Hong Kong’s immersive installation of iconic Hong Kong landscapes, and a Design Exhibition on the National flag of China and regional flag of HKSAR and the emblems.

"Everything is by design. It is the process of improving and seeking for excellence, and an important factor in pushing our culture forward. I hope visitors at [ 25 Years of Design ] not only appreciate the exhibits but also understand the hard work behind the scenes. This gives the public the opportunity to gain new knowledge, ideas and ways of thinking, which I hope will take Hong Kong’s cultural scene to the next level," comments Winnie Yue, Organizer and Curator of [ 25 Years of Design ].

About Designworks Foundation
Founded by Winnie Yue, Designworks Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of design and cultural matters for the Hong Kong community.

About Winnie Yue, Organizer and Curator of [ 25 Years of Design ]
A leading figure in Asia’s design scene for over 30 years, Winnie Yue is the Founder Director of the International Design Furniture Fair Hong Kong (IDFFHK) which debuted in 2015 and 2017. A trained architect, Ms Yue founded designed furniture stores across Hong Kong, created unique design experiences and is a strong advocate for design education. She is a noted philanthropist who has led fundraising efforts for diverse charity organisations including the Hong Kong Queen Mary Hospital Oncology Department and the Hong Kong Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

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