Visitors to the Design Gallery outlet at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in June will be welcomed by a window display depicting a flying dragon and phoenix, Chinese symbols of prosperity, success and harmony. The ‘Love HK’ display is an annual celebration of native Hong Kong designers and products that feature Hong Kong.
Titled ‘The Carved Duo’, the installation is made from paper shapes arranged into a pixel-like grid by local creative team STICKYLINE.
Co-founder Mic Leong said the inspiration for the piece came from wooden dragon and phoenix statutes that were iconic decorations in Hong Kong banquet halls during the 1970s. Opulent displays in public areas such as restaurants reflected the city’s economic boom during that era.
“Although modern restaurants have phased out such designs, these motifs are resurfacing in unexpected ways for instance in tattoo art, as wedding backdrops and in avant-garde photography, reflecting younger generations’ reinterpretation of tradition.
“Through this piece, we aim to revive the collective memories of old-school restaurants and showcase Hong Kong's unique charm.”
In addition to the dragon and phoenix installation, the main entrance of the Design Gallery features a playful paper display spelling the word “HEY”. As well as a greeting, ‘hey’ is the Cantonese pronunciation of ‘double happiness’ (囍).
Co-founder Soilworm Lai said: “We aspire to merge modern elements with the traditional dragon and phoenix theme, offering a friendly greeting to visitors.”
During the display, the Design Gallery will feature a curated selection of Hong Kong-themed gifts, including badges, vacuum flasks, scarves and socks.
Visitors can enjoy an additional 10% discount on purchases during the exhibition by sharing photos of the installation on social media, tagging @HKTDC Design Gallery.
The pieces will be on show till 6 July at the Design Gallery outlet which is open daily from 10:30am to 7:30pm including public holidays.
