Zuni Icosacheon's Mathias Woo
Mathias Woo is a prominent commentator and the director of local avant-garde art group Zuni Icosacheon, with theater productions that range from historical dramas such as “1587, A Year of No Significance” to political satires, including his popular “East Wing West Wing” series. He talks to June Ng about how and why Hong Kong could do better.
I studied in Britain after I finished Form 5. It was a good experience in terms of culture. In Hong Kong, you can only learn about Western culture secondhand.
When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s, Hong Kong was more diverse and yet harmonious. We were unique because the rich and poor lived in the same area, and both enjoyed the same view.
Luxurious residential buildings and big malls tear people apart. We have less social interaction now.
Hong Kong would be much nicer if we preserved our old neighborhoods and street culture, because that would make us closer and care more about one another.
Hong Kong is not perfect because we don’t have a single good museum or cultural facility. I hope that the West Kowloon Cultural District will fill our cultural void.
Hong Kong TV is shit. The local stations are so behind. The government gives them free licenses, and they should use it to facilitate diversity, not bad taste.