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They're hardly noticed by passers-by. They're bemoaned by the art elite. And now the government may decide their fate.
They are innocuous-looking decorative panels found along  the outdoor Central to Mid-Levels escalator:  cartoon montages of free-floating objects, figures and food. 
The idea was to beautify a neighbourhood with the art - drawings of hamburgers, watches, vintage dresses, reclining chairs and foreign currency - but the government's good intentions  were apparently lost in and between the lines. 
A number of artists and designers have recently blasted the pop-oriented panels, describing the images as cringe-inducing, 1980s-style clip art - designs that  did not reflect Hong Kong's artists or its culture.
'It's only now that people are really starting to notice [the escalator art] because it is so outdated - these things like the VCR and all these weird, outdated clothes from the '80s,' said editorial photographer Alex Hofford,  39. 
'That kind of retro theme makes people laugh. But people are laughing at it, not with it.'
While there were other weighty issues in Hong Kong, the decorative problem had a simple fix and could brighten the city's image, especially if it  were replaced by designs from young local talent,  Hofford said.
To a Transport Department  spokesman, 'aesthetics is a subjective matter and may change through time'. But 'a visually more porous escalator could be more attractive aesthetically', the spokesman acknowledged.  The government would look into the issue, he said, 'and consider suitable arrangements for the clip art in question'.
He said the cartoon montages were  installed in 2001 by the Tourism Commission,  the office responsible for tourism policy. 
The project was part of the scheme to improve and beautify the district. 
Three artists came up with their own proposals for what could replace the designs on the escalator. 
Douglas Young, creative director of lifestyle store G.O.D.,  submitted an innovative design suggestion  that had the art and glass replaced with metal Venetian blinds. 
'These not only protect the tenants living in surrounding buildings from prying eyes,  an original function of the picture panels,  but also give much-needed ventilation to the escalator users, as well as protection from the rain during gusty storms,' he said.
Designer Jay Foss Cole,  of the ChinaStylus  creative studio, said it was no wonder that the escalator clip art had become a target as Hongkongers became 'more art-conscious and conscious of what we as a city have to offer from a creative standpoint'.  He said the  the site could provide  a showcase,  as the escalator, running above Hollywood Road,  was a popular destination with a built-in audience. 
'Every tourist who comes to town goes on it,'  Foss Cole said. 'It's an icon.' 
One website, Hong Kong Hustle, highlighted the issue, asking  whether the decorations were the city's biggest eyesore. 
The Sunday Morning Post asked Henry Steiner, founder of design consultancy Steiner&Co,  for a new panel idea for the escalator.
'My panel would be a piece of clear glass and let people see where they are,' he said. 
About the escalator art, he said: 'For tourists to be exposed to that sort of thing is contemptible.' 
The Tourism Board said any complaints would be forwarded to 'related government departments for consideration'.
Most pedestrians questioned on the escalator last week admitted they did not notice the illustrations at first. But Hongkongers and tourists  were united in saying the decorations should go.
They suggested that the government put up art, photographs and murals created by the city's masters and students and consider hosting a competition to select new panels.
Kirsten French,  31, from New Zealand, rode the escalator for the first time last week. The tourist was asked about her ride as she headed towards Central. 'Great,' she said. And the clip art? 'Not great,' she retorted. 
Both she and her father, Ron French,  60, called the art 'cheap'. They said the images did not reflect Hong Kong's history and culture.
Mr French looked at the printed beach balls, fighter planes and bicycles. 'What does that mean?'



Escalator art hasn't kept up with the times, say artists and tourists