HONG KONG, Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) as the leading organizer, Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) as co-organizers, Create Hong Kong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government as the leading sponsor, and in collaboration with Shenzhen Biennale of Urbanism \ Architecture Organizing Committee, the 2013 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture (Hong Kong) (UABB(HK)) showcases local and international renowned masterpieces of architects, designers and artists. The UABBHK(HK) was launched in December of last year with exhibition and extended activities themed on ‘Beyond the urban edge: “The ideal city?”’. Lasting for nearly three months, the UABBHK successfully showcased 91 exhibits contributed by 300 curators and attracted more than 70,000 visitors.
At the closing ceremony of UABB(HK), Ms. Ada FUNG, President of HKIA said: “The Bi-City Biennale at Hong Kong is one of the year’s most monumental international events in the art scene. With ‘Beyond the urban edge: “The ideal city?”’ as the curatorial theme, the Biennale explores the prospects of the urban edge areas. It used Kowloon East as the exhibition venue for its important role in the past development of Hong Kong’s industries, and its anticipated transformation in the course of future economic development. Through various art events, the Biennale promotes diversity, inspiration and reflection on future development. I appreciate all the efforts of our curators to bring us unprecedented achievement for the Biennale. I would also like to thank all the co-organizers for their help, and the sponsorship from CreateHK, ensuring the Biennale could run so smoothly."
Representative of the curatorial Team also said in the closing remarks that, “Through organizing various activities, we hope to express the reflection of urban development through different forms of artistic expression and in-depth dialogue. We are very pleased to have artists and art organizations from various countries bring enlightening works to the Biennale. Thanks to their active contribution to various events, the Biennale has come to a successful completion. "
The UABB(HK) offered, more than 80 diverse events with different interpretations of the curatorial theme in various forms. These events ranged from major installation exhibitions by top artists from around the world, an urban edge film appreciation night, tree-shade open air discussions, workshops, guided tours, to mahjong table- themed forums, round table discussions, and many others to meet the preference of people from all walks of life who have extensive interest in the appreciation of art.
Today’s closing ceremony did not mark the end of HKIA’s effort in promoting architecture design. More events has been arranged after the closing ceremony to continue the evolution of ideas that have been initiated at the UABB(HK). One of these events, the “Value Farm” event, will be organized on the 28th of this month, at which experienced organic farming experts will teach classes on urban farming. Participants will then travel to Shenzhen, where they will transplant a Hong Kong grown sapling onto Shenzhen soil, symbolizing the architectural heritage relationship between the two cities.
