Hong Kong Design Centre

When we refer to ‘inheritance’, do we simply mean preserving something in its exact form for future generations? Or is it indeed possible to simultaneously pass on its tangible or intangible value while also adapting it to contemporary contexts?

‘When my father gives me a watch. I can instantly understand its value. But when it comes to a culture, a technique or a concept—something intangible—how would I know about its value or relevance to the modern world?’ Michael Leung, founder of Studio AA and curator of the ‘PASS THE BATON’ exhibition, raises an intriguing question. ‘In contrast, if you’re handed a piece of inheritance and are also inspired by its significance, you’d find it easier to know how to use it and pass it on. Our exhibition aims to answer the manner in which we can redesign and evolve these items, creating and communicating greater value while passing on something better aligned with contemporary needs.’

Michael Leung, founder of Studio AA and curator of the ‘PASS THE BATON’ exhibition

 

PASS THE BATON – A Journey in Three Acts

‘PASS THE BATON’ is the latest thematic exhibition of Design Spectrum, a public platform of Hong Kong Design Centre. This programme is sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (formerly Create Hong Kong), a dedicated office set up by the HKSAR Government under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

According to Michael, ‘PASS THE BATON’ unfolds in three parts. Part 1: ‘FROM PASSING BY TO PASSING ON’ (15 May–30 June) denotes a prologue, introducing the role and value of design in inheritance through 28 projects from Hong Kong, the Mainland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Iceland. Part 2: ‘FROM PROCESS TO PROGRESS’ (5 July–14 August) delves deeper into how design augments the entire process of inheritance in order to drive progress. The exhibition culminates in Part 3: ‘FROM FUTURE TO NOW’ (21 August–23 September), which integrates previous sections, rounding out a comprehensive experience with a brand-new installation that incorporates visitor insights.

20+ Design Projects Reimagine the Essence of Inheritance

The prologue of the exhibition, ‘FROM PASSING BY TO PASSING ON’ explores how designers translate knowledge, ideas, crafts and skills through diverse aesthetics and innovative design, making them accessible and valuable for a wider audience and future generations.

Michael elaborates: ‘Upon entering a studio-like venue, you’ll encounter an impressive array of exhibits, including book designs, infographics, fashion and product items created by local and international designers. You’ll also appreciate how designers belonging to both Eastern as well as Western cultural backgrounds keep inheritance relevant by adapting traditional elements to contemporary contexts.’

Visitors can marvel at Italian design studio Formafantasma’s ‘Cambio’, which investigates the timber industry’s governance and environmental impact. The exhibit showcases rare hardwood samples from 1851 and contemporary furniture crafted from a fallen tree. Utilising data analysis and case studies, ‘Cambio’ highlights the crucial role of design in environmental stewardship and emphasises the necessity for informed, collaborative solutions.

Formafantasma’s Cambio

Another noteworthy exhibit is ‘Port City Atlas’ by Studio Joost Grootens from the Netherlands. The work showcases 100 European port cities through impressive maps and data visualisations. Metallic inks represent water and nature, while fluorescent inks depict urban areas, capturing the delicate balance between nature and urbanisation. Additionally, intriguing data pages provide insightful statistics on goods flow and ship types.

Port City Atlas by Studio Joost Grootens

The ‘Book Manifest’ by Dutch designer Irma Boom is also on display. This exhibit reflects her extensive research at the Vatican Library and her bold, experimental approach that challenges traditional book design, emphasising the essence and enduring relevance of books.

Book Manifest by Irma Boom

From Hong Kong, Victionary presents ‘Type In Use Series –– Sans In Use & Serif In Use’. Featuring type specimens and their applications, this exhibit demonstrates how the combination of typefaces not only ensures readability, but also conveys the right tone in design.

Type In Use Series –– Sans In Use & Serif In Use by Victionary

Beyond book designs, the exhibition flaunts the work of communication, fashion, product, industrial and spatial designers who preserve crafts and cultures through collaboration and skill transfer. Local talent includes fashion designer Karmuel Young, who reinterprets classic Levi’s 501 jeans, and bamboo-weaving designer Yiwooo, who blends traditional craftsmanship with modern culture. Vintage store Jiksap underscores the importance of vintage items, while Tetra Neon Exchange, an NGO, revives local neon designs.

Curator Michael Leung with Karmuel Young’s work - reinterpretation of classic Levi’s 501 jeans

Yiwooo’s bamboo craft products

Jiksap’s display of re : seen tokwawan - Unveil The Vanished Signage

Tetra Neon Exchange’s neon designs

PROPHETIC ARCHIVES: Shaping the Future through Community Vision

‘PASS THE BATON’ also offers visitors an opportunity to participate, Michael reveals. ‘We’ve commissioned three local designers, Essa, Samson Wong Sing Wun, and Homan So, to establish an interactive installation called “PROPHETIC ARCHIVES” and share their thoughts about the future. As part of the exhibition experience, we invite visitors to act as prophets, providing feedback on the work and expressing their wishes and memories of Sham Shui Po and Lai Chi Kok at the “prayer counter”.’

 In PROPHETIC ARCHIVES, a prayer counter redesigned using interactive and generative AI tools serves as a surveying methodology to collect collective wishes and memories of Sham Shui Po and Lai Chi Kok

After Part 1, Essa and the team will use AI to analyse visitor input and generate presentations under three themes: Natural Energy Resources, Urban and Rural Futures, and Intangible Values. The final work will be displayed in Part 3 of the exhibition. ‘We hope to explore how we can collectively preserve local cultures and the environment, and imagine the future of Kowloon neighbourhoods together,’ Michael says.

Immersive Workshops, Engaging Talks and Interactive Experiences

‘PASS THE BATON’ invites all visitors to embark on a captivating exploration of the diverse aspects of inheritance. Admission to the exhibition is free. To enrich your visit, we also offer workshops, talks and other activities. Stay updated with the latest announcements on the official website and social media platforms to discover more details.

Join us on this remarkable journey of discovery at ‘PASS THE BATON’ and be a part of passing the baton!

Exhibition Details: 

Part 1: ‘FROM PASSING BY TO PASSING ON’

Period: 2024.05.15–2024.06.30

Opening Hours: 10:00–19:00 (Monday–Sunday)

Address: Unit A, 7/F, D2 Place ONE, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok

Part 2: ‘FROM PROCESS TO PROGRESS’

Period: 2024.07.05–2024.08.14

Opening Hours: 10:00–19:00 (Monday–Sunday)

Address: Unit A, 7/F, D2 Place ONE, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok

Part 3: ‘FROM FUTURE TO NOW’

Period: 2024.08.21–2024.09.23

Address: To be announced