Upclose with Clocken flap
Next January, Hong Kong will get an all-out, balls-to-the-wall multimedia arts festival in Clockenflap, from local multimedia maestros Jay Forster and Mike Hill. They speak to Pavan Shamdasani.
HK Magazine: We’re really excited. Tell us about the ‘Flap.
Mike Hill: Clockenflap is a platform to showcase local and international multimedia and performing artists, for the exchange of ideas and working methods among local and international artists, industry creatives and the general public. Clockenflap will be an engaging and entertaining day out for all ages.
HK: And the lineup?
Jay Forster: Locally we have musicians Clementine is my Sunshine, DP, Uptown Rockers, My Little Airport, Ray Dollars, and Pedicab from the Philippines. There are also a number of Hong Kong based film producers and animators working on projects in association with I Shot Hong Kong, and these will be screened in the film tent. Installation art will also be a component of the festival. And from the UK we are fortunate to have Mercury Music Prize nominees The Young Knives, as well as Waxed Apple, Bizali and Kid Carpet. We also have award-winning writer/director, BAFTA nominee and Scottish BAFTA winner Amy Neil, plus material from Warp Films and Future Shorts.
HK: “Clockenflap” is almost lurid.
JF: It was simply a word that fell out of my brain one evening. Perhaps I have a lurid mind.
HK: Why choose Cyberport as the venue?
MH: Cyberport is the ideal host venue for the inaugural Clockenflap - high-tech, highly stylized and only minutes from the city center. There’s easy access between the indoor and outdoor spaces, large multimedia viewing arenas and convenient transport and hotel facilities.
HK: Around how much are you spending on this festival?
JF: More our trousers combined.
HK: How do you see the state of Hong Kong's music scene?
MH: I think it’s been harmed from the ground up by artists not being treated with the respect they deserve. For example it is common for the artists to be unfairly rewarded for the work and effort that they put in. Unlike Manila, where you find a thriving original music scene, Hong Kong simply doesn’t have this! From our perspective, the biggest problem we face is the lack of venues and it’s about time the government recognized this and did something about it.