Smurfs up - it's the Belgian wave

Photographer Kris Vervaeke's latest exhibition asks: 'It's in HK, It's Belgian but Did You Know?' Praline chocolates (yes), beer (yes), the Smurfs (maybe) and traffic monitoring machines in Aberdeen Tunnel (definitely, no).

As part of the Best of Belgium festival - organised by the Consul General of Belgium and the Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong to celebrate 'the kingdom's 175th anniversary' - the show is a cultural exercise with a subtle commercial slant.

Vervaeke, who recently won a first prize at this year's International Photo Award, came up with the idea last year of having an exhibition during the fortnight-long event. Initially, the 48-year-old wanted to add an artistic touch to what is essentially a trade fair. He says he suggested the exhibition, 'to make it a little less commercial and more fun'.

His idea was to compare Belgium with Hong Kong because, as he says, 'both are small'. The former has a population of 10 million; the latter seven million. He wanted to explore their cultural similarities and differences through photos.

'I thought of doing my work here, while a Chinese living in Belgium could look at the country through his eyes there,' says Vervaeke, who recently staged a second solo show, Lost in Transition, at the Fringe Club.

'But [the festival organisers] preferred to show Belgian products in Hong Kong. People often don't realise there are Belgian products - things they use, eat and drink - in Hong Kong. We want to make that a little more clear in the exhibition.'