100 FACES OF TAI KWUN | 大館一百面
Tai Kwun’s inaugural exhibition, “100 Faces of Tai Kwun”, immerses visitors into 100 stories, collected from 100 "kaifongs" (local neighbours)
and friends in the past two years, in order to explore the history of the Central Police Station compound
as well as the myriad intricate relationships cultivated here in the neighbourhood.
Those whose lives intertwined with Tai Kwun come from all walks of life; some are ex-officers and ex-offenders, while others are shop owners and "kaifongs" in the neighbourhood. The rest might have passed by or visited the compound, including photographers, journalists, architects, etc. Together, their stories reveal different facets of Tai Kwun, which represent the heart and soul of this place.
This kaleidoscopic picture of Central and Tai Kwun features illustrations by local artist Flyingpig who has given a refreshing touch to these stories; her book Once Upon a Time in Tai Kwun is published along with the exhibition. In addition, voice actors from Commercial Radio's well-known radio drama "18/F Block C" have been invited to "gossip" about some of these stories about our "kaifongs" to you.
The exhibition venue, Duplex Studio of Block 01, has been transformed into a mini-Central within which visitors will traverse various "tong laus" to meet our "kaifongs". Your journey goes beyond the exhibition — venture out to our dear neighbourhood to create your own story here.
Tai Kwun, as known as the Hong Kong Central Police Station, was a historical icon of the government to implement enforcement, judgment and execution. Being one of the latest local landmarks, Tai Kwun has transformed into a destination of culture, art and performance.
Incorporating stories from 100 kaifongs and friends, “100 Faces of Tai Kwun” , Tai Kwun’s inaugural exhibition explores the history of the Central Police Station cluster through an investigation on the intricate relationships among the neighbourhood. Interviewees include ex-officers, ex-offenders, shop owners, kaifongs, journalists, film directors, etc .... whose lives had been intertwining with Tai Kwun. Their stories and facets unveil and signify the heart and soul of Tai Kwun.
The wireframed skeleton structure is to present a vague impression of central. It is unusual yet familiar, vacuum yet abundant of stories. Walking through the colonnade, verandah and signboards, visitors can grab a glimpse of the long vanished central with a picturesque streetscape. The stories displayed in multiple media, including illustration, interactions, portraits and movies, showcased a hundred ways to retrospect and celebrate the prosperous central and Tai Kwun.
昔日的中區警署、中央裁判司署及域多利監獄，現統稱「大館」。是極為罕有的建築群，集執法、裁判、行刑於一身。現在的「大館」已保育為文化藝術展覽活動的場地，再次以另一身份成為香港的地標。
大館開幕展覽《大館一百面》，以一百雙眼睛，看一百種大館面貌，以一百種經驗，體驗一百種大館。展覽收集了「社區」與「大館」鄰里關係之間的小故事。人所遺下的小故事，因人去而「樓空」，可能還剩下空蕩的建築物，或是被高樓所代替，我們的中環就如失憶一樣。矇糊的中環印象，所剩下的輪廓，既熟悉又陌生。昔日騎樓底下逛街，今日只有逛商場。設計築起了一個小中環，一個不復見的中環，有長長的騎樓底、家家戶戶的臺、馳名老店的招牌等，它沒有太多細節，只有矇糊的輪廓，這輪廓成為了承傳小故事的載體，並以多種展示方式，呈現他們與大館之間的故事，讓這座中區警署建築群變得更立體。
