The idea of developing a West Kowloon Cultural District was proposed in former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa’s Policy Address in 1998. In the ensuing more than two decades, the ambition to turn the 40 hectares of land into a cultural hub for Asia has been modified by comings and goings of personnel, design changes, and controversies. The price tag has ballooned from the original estimation of HK$21.6 billion to over HK$29 billion. After years of delay in completing some infrastructures and cultural facilities, the district now features the Xiqu Centre, Freespace, the Arts Pavilion and the Art Park. And the new kid on the block, opening this week, is the modern art museum M+.

On show at 1a Space “Another Day in Paradise” by Jimmy Lee is a satellite exhibition of the Hong Kong International Photo Festival 2021. It is a photographic journey across different counties in England from 2017 to 2019, focusing on British lives and landscapes in the run up to Britain’s departure from the European Union. Lee says his photos are an observation of Britain’s social landscape and contemporary era by an outsider, but also someone who is, due to Hong Kong’s long historical relationship with Britain, more than just an outsider.

As its name suggests, the New Vision Arts Festival concentrates on programmes that are non-traditional, experimental, and innovative. Despite the Covid-19 inspired travel restrictions that have impacted many local art events, this year’s edition of the festival, the tenth, has a strong line-up. The organisers have coped with the pandemic by, in part, commissioning works from overseas artists that can be streamed online. Other creators are exploring augmented reality and interactive online games.
Two performers who will be appearing in person are percussionists Matthew Lau and Karen Yu.