HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
155
I would also like to speak about the policy of displaying works of art in public places. In overseas countries, there is legislation governing it. Foreign governments introduce legislation to require developers to allocate a percentage of the gross building area as public space for the display of works of art. I believe that the Urban Council should play a leading role in this respect. We manage a lot of venues. If we have a policy and a system to do so, not only can we promote the development of art, but also enhance the public's power of art appreciation.
We spend some ten million dollars each year on the acquisition of works of art, but we put them in the storeroom so that we have not been able to see our acquisition for years. That is a waste of public money. Works of art acquired should be displayed for public appreciation. So I sincerely hope that the Museums Select Committee will consider Mr. LAM's suggestion to mark out exhibition halls for the display of cultural objects as well as to formulate a policy for the systematic display of works of art in large public buildings. By doing so, we can further enhance the public's power of appreciation and promote the development of art in Hong Kong. With these remarks, I support the motion.
Ms. JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the spirit of the motion although the angle I take is somewhat different. I think Hong Kong is not only an international city, but also a window of international cultures. Along with growing international exchange, Hong Kong has a unique culture with its own characteristics. We have now shrugged away the bad name of a cultural desert.
In an article on the development of art in Hong Kong, it was pointed out that Hong Kong was greening although it was also admitted that as a culturally underdeveloped area, Hong Kong needed an irrigation plan. I share the same view. In recent years, a lot of seeds of culture have been sown, but the growth and development of various art forms have been out of balance and unco-ordinated. Some seeds have been excessively nourished and fertilized, others have been totally ignored.
For many years, there has been an imbalance in the development of art in Hong Kong. Urban Council resources were mostly utilized on sponsoring performances and building facilities. The development and cultivation of local artists were neglected. At present, Urban Council is responsible for the construction of cultural venues in the urban area, but our resources have not been fully utilized. We have not provided suitable or sufficient space for local artists to display their creative works.
With regard to nurturing the public's appreciation of art, if we can provide more display areas for the public to have more contact with art, we can surely build up the public's understanding and appreciation of art, link up the daily lives of our public with art and raise the living quality of our community. So,
Page 159 of 498
Page 159 of 498
Page 159 of 498
Page 159 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
155
I would also like to speak bout the policy of displaying works of art in public places. In overseas countries, there is legislation governing it. Foreign governments introduce legislation to require developers to allocate a percentage of the gross building area as public space for the display of works of art. I believe that the Urban Council should play a leading role in this respect. We manage a lot of venues. If we have a policy and a system to do so, not only can we promote the development of art, but also enhance the public's power of art appreciation.
We spend some ten million dollars each year on the acquisition of works of art, but we put them in the storeroom so that we have not been able to see our acquisition for years. That is a waste of public money. Works of art acquired should be displayed for public appreciation. So I sincerely hope that the Museums Select Committee will consider Mr. LAM's suggestion to mark out exhibition halls for the display of cultural objects as well as to formulate a policy for the systematic display of works of art in large public buildings. By doing so, we can further enhance the public's power of appreciation and promote the development of art in Hong Kong. With these remarks, I support the motion.
Ms. JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the spirit of the motion although the angle I take is somewhat different. I think Hong Kong is not only an international city, but also a window of international cultures. Along with growing international exchange, Hong Kong has a unique culture with its own characteristics. We have now shrugged away the bad name of a cultural desert.
In an article on the development of art in Hong Kong, it was pointed out that Hong Kong was greening although it was also admitted that as a culturally underdeveloped area, Hong Kong needed an irrigation plan. I share the same view. In recent years, a lot of seeds of culture have been sown, but the growth and development of various art forms have been out of balance and unco-ordinated. Some seeds have been excessively nourished and fertilized, others have been totally ignored.
For many years, there has been an imbalance in the development of art in Hong Kong. Urban Council resources were mostly utilized on sponsoring performances and building facilities. The development and cultivation of local artists were neglected. At present, Urban Council is responsible for the construction of cultural venues in the urban area, but our resources have not been fully utilized. We have not provided suitable or sufficient space for local artists to display their creative works.
With regard to nurturing the public's appreciation of art, if we can provide more display areas for the public to have more contact with art, we can surely build up the public's understanding and appreciation of art, link up the daily lives of our public with art and raise the living quality of our community. So,
Page 159 of 498
Page 159 of 498
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