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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Libraries are responsible for the promotion of culture and art. This division of responsibilities has given rise to a lack of clear-cut policy and direction. The only common area is the management of the cultural centre, museums, central libraries and civic centres, etc. In fact, such division of labour has originated in the early years. In 1970s, the Libraries and Museums Select Committees were already in existence. Since all cultural programmes were mainly staged in the City Hall, a City Hall and Entertainment Select Committee was set up. Until the commissioning of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Culture Select Committee was formed without question to oversee performing art only.
Such arrangement has created a strange phenomenon. Members here attended the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee this morning. One item on the agenda included an application for a local visual art group who would like to organize an installation art performance at the Cultural Centre Piazza on a joint-presentation basis with the Council. The Cultural Presentations Office of the Cultural Centre turned down its application on the grounds that the Piazza was mainly hired for staging performing arts. Many Members have also raised queries on the issue. In fact, the venue is only situated beside the Museum of Art. Why did the Museum of Art not organize the exhibition? According to our understanding, the Museum of Art is only responsible for managing the internal part of the building and the Piazza is under the jurisdiction of the Cultural Presentations Office of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Although the venue is suitable to hold some visual art exhibitions, applications have to be made to the Cultural Presentations Office which is responsible for performing art. In May, a French sculptor, Venet's sculptural work was organised on display by the Museum of Art at the same venue. Then, what is the criterion of holding exhibitions at this venue? Obviously there is a double standard.
In reading the Culture Select Committee's Statement of Aims for 1995/96, it is found that for cultural activities, they are venue based, programmes oriented and general. There is a lack of direction. One of the Statement of Aims aims to support the development of Hong Kong's performing art and no mention was made of developing visual art. However, the Culture Select Committee has to endorse some applications to present visual arts. One of the aims of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre is rather strange. It aims to place emphasis on 'improving directional sign'. Taking the above question into account, does the venue management here have a clear-cut policy and division of labour to enable the Department carry out its duties?
The second problem
Since 1977, we have established three performing companies. This development plan was correct and farsighted. Unfortunately, the Council has concentrated its efforts on subsidizing its performing companies and it somehow affected the development of other art groups because they have limited resources in comparison with the Council's performing companies. The Council has been providing assistance on rehearsals, venues for shows and storage rooms. Such assistance are lacking for other art groups which can only show envy. In
Page 149 of 485
Page 149 of 485
Page 149 of 485