ENG-1986 — Page 316

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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museum organised nine astronomy classes, 24 film shows and 12 lectures on astronomy. A highlight of the year was the start of the Astronomical Observation Award Scheme, aimed at promoting public interest in astronomical observation.

Hong Kong Museum of Science and Technology

Following the allocation of a prime site in Tsim Sha Tsui East by the government to the Urban Council for a Museum of Science and Technology, important steps were taken in the year to pursue the project. Construction work will be carried out in phases. The first phase, with a gross area of 13 500 square metres, is expected to be completed by 1990.

A museum consultant was appointed for the preparation of a master zoning study, facility outline programme and site utilisation plan, as well as for the coordination of the exhibition design and fabrication of exhibits. The facility outline programme and master zoning plan were completed in April. A tentative exhibition plan is being consolidated.

To meet the increasing demand for science related activities and to stimulate interest in the museum, a variety of educational and extension activities in the form of lectures, film shows and seminars was organised. These programmes attracted more than 5 000 persons. A joint project with the Hong Kong Polytechnic to produce simple prototype exhibits was also initiated.

Hong Kong Museum of Art

The Hong Kong Museum of Art presented 13 exhibitions which attracted 243 350 visitors, including 6 300 students in 136 school parties.

The exhibitions featured Chinese and contemporary local art, as well as art from overseas. The most important exhibition of the year was 'The Art of Henry Moore', presented jointly with five local and overseas institutions. A total of 257 exhibits, including monumental sculptures, were displayed at seven venues at the same time. The exhibition, officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, was unprecedented in scale. Two other overseas travelling exhibitions were also held with the generous support of foreign institutions and collectors. These included sculptures by contemporary German sculptors and Chinese paintings under the Qianlong Emperor from the Phoenix Art Museum.

The exhibition of Urban Council Fine Art Award Winners showed the most representa- tive works of a group of local artists in the media of painting, print, sculpture, ceramics and Chinese calligraphy. Four exhibitions featuring items of Chinese antiquities and historical pictures from the museum collections were also organised. To inspire creative art activity for local school children, a childrens' painting competition and exhibition was organised jointly with the Education Department.

The branch museum, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, continued to stage exhibitions on tea drinking and Yixing tea wares. A special exhibition on Chinese bamboo carving was presented to display items donated by the late Dr Ip Yee, while a significant competition and exhibition on pottery tea wares was organised to promote public interest in the art of pottery.

The museum also organised education and extension activities including lectures, film shows, slide programmes, mini-travelling exhibitions, and talks for teachers and students. Throughout the year, the museum acquired suitable items to strengthen its collections. The museum also received a donation of 238 items of Shiwan pottery figures from Mr Woo Kam-chiu. The donation has provided the museum with a specialised collection for exhibition and research purposes.