Hong Kong is to host its first architecture biennale this week - but typical of the many overly ambitious
yet badly executed events for which the city is notorious, not many people have actually heard about it. And among the few who do know, not all are happy with the way things are being run.
Opening on Thursday, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture is grand in both size and scope. To be held in the historic Central Police Station compound, which used to house a police headquarters, magistracy and prison, the 21/2-month jamboree will showcase works by 60 local, mainland and international architects, and include a series of lectures and forums and a parallel Biennale Festival.
Exhibitors range from overseas firms such as Tod Williams Billie Tsien, Steven Holl Architects, Atelier Bow-Wow and Herzog & de Meuron to local lobbyist H15 Concern Group. The lineup of architects and designers/artists is equally illustrious, with William Lim, Rocco Yim, Anothermountainman (Stanley Wong Ping-pui) and Ellen Pao among the big local names, and
the Biennale Festival event will also feature veteran artists such as Chan Yuk-keung, Tim Li Man-wai and Ho Siu-kee, and independent art space Para/Site.
The scope of the festival is such that its organisers, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institute of Planners and Hong Kong Designers Association, have already touted it as a blueprint for major local arts biennales in the future. Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen will be attending the opening ceremony to endorse the event.