Hong Kong's dark alleys get a dose of colour through city art project

Damp and dark alleys in Kwun Tong will be transformed into open-air art galleries to attract more pedestrians in the congested neighbourhood.

Under the Development Bureau's back alleys project, 18 groups of back alleys now rife with garbage and raw surfaces will be adorned with paint, graffiti and art installations.

The bureau has recruited local and foreign artists through Polytechnic University and the social enterprise RunOurCity to take part. Six sets of alleys are expected to get the artistic treatment this year, funded by HK$1 million from the government.

Another HK$1 million, half from government and half from the Jockey Club, funded PolyU's feasibility research, starting in 2012. The remaining alleys will be renovated after a public consultation to be held later this year.

Artists are encouraged to use various forms. Sautel Cago, a French artist staying in the city for two weeks, is painting graffiti depicting a sewing machine in an alley near Tsun Yip Street.

Most alleys don't have their own names and are associated with the streets near them. The project means to imbue them with identities by naming them.