Culture Club | Street artist Invader responds after his art is wiped from Hong Kong's walls
Following the fate of the late “King of Kowloon” Tsang Tsou-choi’s colourful calligraphy, it didn’t take long to discover that the deed was done – again – by the Highways Department.
Just like in the past, the department does not think it has offended anyone. On the contrary, it claimed that it took down the artworks for “safety” reasons. (Just how unsafe are mosaic tiles stuck on the walls around town?)
Having invaded more than 60 cities around the world, I have never faced a situation where a public authority would systematically and rapidly remove the art from the streets
The incident has caused outrage among not just the arts community but also netizens who appreciated Invader’s works, which used to brighten their day.
Many accused the government of being schizophrenic. On one hand, it spends billions to build the West Kowloon Cultural District, but on the other it cannot tolerate art coming to life in the real world of Hong Kong.
The Home Affairs Bureau, which handles arts and culture, distanced itself from the Highways Department, saying that the removal had nothing to do with them.
The amusing Pac-Man tile mosaic between Tin Hau and Fortress Hill is gone. But now the famed French artist, whose creations were inspired by the 1978 arcade game , is speaking up.
He is not just disappointed to see his artworks being removed. Just like many Hongkongers, he questions the authorities’ intentions in erasing his “gift” to the city and the confusing messages the government is sending to the people of Hong Kong.
