Sound Bites
The Hong Kong Arts Centre has actively promoted public art in recent years. How has it been received?
Connie Lam Suk-yee, arts centre programme director:
'In 2004, we had a symposium called Soul of the City, where people from all over the world shared ideas about public art. As a result, we started putting art in the space opposite our building. The response was good.
'Then we realised public art is a good way to reach out to different communities. At the time, most public art was traditional sculpture. But public art isn't necessarily permanent - it can be temporary, diverse and multifunctional. People can interact with it and it can enhance the aesthetics and cohesion of a community.
'We've worked with Wan Chai District Council on a public art competition and launched a sculpture by Gary Chang Chee-keung on Wyndham Street that will be there for a year.
'The environment for the art form is improving. We're also planning a community art project with students at Hong Kong Wetland Park.
'Variety is important. We hope to bring art to where people live so they can understand it better.'
