Advertisement
Hong Kong culture
OpinionLetters

Letters | How art tech could be Hong Kong’s STEAM engine

  • For all the talk about STEM, our society needs to integrate design and the arts into non-design disciplines, embracing creativity and a human-centred approach

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
A model poses with a neon display at Heart of Cyberpunk, a multidisciplinary fashion and design event, in Sham Shui Po in October 2020. Photo: Design District Hong Kong
Letters
An Our Hong Kong Foundation report, an opinion column by Helen So and Yolanda Lam (“How developing art tech can boost Hong Kong’s cultural soft power”, December 3, 2020) and the chief executive’s policy address last year all highlighted the importance of art tech. Government bureaus across home affairs, commerce and economic development, innovation and technology, and education have been coordinating development with different sectors and NGOs.
The spotlight on art tech points to the rise of the digital economy and a global trend of increased use of creative skills and emerging technologies in creating quality spaces, art and businesses. Notable examples include Britain’s championing of CreaTech to inspire business growth and investment, and the sensational online concert by South Korean group BTS which scaled new heights using virtual and extended reality to connect with fans.
The arts enrich people’s lives and enhance the vibe of the city. It is heartbreaking that many art programmes were cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. While some groups have ventured into new ways of engaging audiences, the challenges they face are relentless, particularly the small groups.

02:23

Tiny Hong Kong noodle shop turns into jazz club amid pandemic

Tiny Hong Kong noodle shop turns into jazz club amid pandemic

Digitisation and the use of emerging technologies require a progressive business mindset, an innovation-driven organisational culture and hardware investment. They also demand specialist expertise in producing experiential shows and live-streamed events that allow participants to interact and enjoy the mix of storytelling, cinematography and special effects.

Advertisement
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department is upgrading its public cultural and arts facilities to facilitate online streaming. In the East Kowloon Cultural District under construction, there will be a well-equipped laboratory for experiments and pilot projects on art tech, accelerating creative collaboration and adoption of technology.

Facing a digitally savvy community and diverse and sophisticated audiences, the city needs coordinated strategies, funding, well-equipped facilities with technical advisory and support, capacity building and public-private partnerships to accelerate art tech development.

Advertisement

For all the talk about STEM education, our society really needs a STEAM engine, with arts enriching science, technology, engineering and mathematics, integrating design and art into non-design disciplines, embracing creativity, empathy and a human-centred approach. The city must invest more in art tech as it builds vibrant creative ecologies for economic wealth and societal well-being. With extended reality, artificial intelligence and 5G coming into play, the future is here. Let’s be prepared.

Dr Edmund Lee, executive director, Hong Kong Design Centre

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x