“Non-history” - Archive as detour

“Non-history” is an experiment about the Ha Bik Chuen Archive and archival art.  It appropriates Walter Benjamin’s dictum of “Method is a detour” to examine the contingency of art archives and the inexactitude of history.  The exhibition is based on the research of Vennes Cheng, the curator of the exhibition, on art archives and archival art.  It is anchored in the notion of “detour”, i.e., that artist archives and art serve as a thinking space for imagination where alternative ideas can be kindled.  LEE Kai-chung and Morgan WONG, the two participating artists, made historical modifications in their art practices after studying the archival materials of Ha Bik Chuen.  Heterogeneous visual elements form a constellation and fill the space with criticality, and propose the transcendence of the Ha Bik Chuen Archive as much more than just an evidential resource.  The exhibition aims to be a thinking space that kindles visitors’ imagination and interpretation.  There is no exactitude – rather, the purpose is to render new points of departure for the city’s history to be constantly re-enacted.  

Curator: Vennes Cheng

Artists: Lee Kai Chung  Morgan Wong

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 11am-7pm, Sundays & Public Holidays closed

Sponsor:

WMA

Goethe-Institut Hongkong

Projector sponsor:

Epson Hong Kong