ON THE FACE of it, cargo containers, bamboo scaffolding and the Mid-Levels escalator bear little relevance to Hong Kong architecture. But the people behind the city's first entry in the Venice Biennale's International Architecture Exhibition next month have applied familiar features of our urban landscape in ambitious presentations.
It's a rare chance for Hong Kong architects to set aside practical concerns to delve in the more experimental side of their work, says William Lim Ooi-lee of CL3 Architects.
Lim, who won attention three years ago when he created the world's largest lantern illuminated by computer-controlled lights, says more local professionals are exploring the nebulous area where art and architecture overlap.
'The trend [in Hong Kong] is to relate architecture more closely to art, to also view it as a form of sculpture,' Lim says. 'Hong Kong has evolved from a city focused solely on commerce to a more intellectual, cultural city. This is a big step forward.'
The architect sees a further benefit to contributing to the biennale. 'It [international exposure] also gives us a chance to persuade developers to give architects more creative freedom.'
Biennale organisers chose cities and urbanism as the inspiration for this year. And the Arts Development Council has capitalised on the occasion by securing HK$2 million from the government to fund eight installations designed to showcase the city's special traits.