Design Competition for the Public Art at To Kwa Wan Promenade
Design Competition for the Public Art at To Kwa Wan Promenade
Judging by the response and the quality of the entries, the competition is definitely a great success. We have received 28 entries, most of which are of very high standard. All the participants have shown their deep understanding in responding to the design theme, i.e. to promote the brand of “Victoria Harbour” and DSD’s implementation of “Blue-Green Infrastructure”. We are also impressed by the participants’ efforts to promote through their design protection of ocean environment and sustainable development. DSD will consider these valuable ideas in formulating the detailed design for the public art to be placed at the promenade.
First Prize
Applicant Name: Cheng Chin Pang
Name of Artwork: Flowing Blue-green Heart
Design Concept:
The design concept of “Flowing Blue-green Heart” is based on the Drainage Service Department’s blue-green infrastructure and drainage strategies which integrates the green landscape into the waterway to achieve mutual benefits. The main body of the artwork is made of 300 semi-transparent components in the shape of manhole covers of different sizes. Each component is engraved with square patterns on the surface to represent a sewage manhole cover, together with the round and radical patterns to represent a drainage manhole cover. Also, the blue colour tone and mirror surface base represent the waterway landscape and the reuse of water resources, whereas the green colour tone and plants represent the green landscape and water filtration. This design symbolises Drainage Service Department’s work and sustainable water management, and it is easily understood by the public.
Different visual effects from different angles are created in “Flowing Blue Green Heart”. Visitors can see a heart-shaped wavy surface in the centre of the artwork from the promenade of Hoi Sham Park, while overlooking the Victoria Harbour through the river-shaped façade through another entrance, which implies “water flowing into the urban”.
Second Prize
Applicant Name: Yuen Lau Kwan, Kwok Tsz Ki Edith
Name of Artwork: 源濁流清 (Chinese name only)
Design Concept:
The water flows from the sewage treatment plant to Victoria Harbour, from turbid to clear, symbolising the Drainage Services Department's mission over the years in creating a clean harbour for Hong Kong. However, most of the department’s work is carried out underground, making it difficult for the public to notice. Therefore, an open ‘manhole cover’ is placed at the top of the artwork, showing the contribution of the DSD to the public. The lighting on the edge of the ‘manhole cover’ utilises the collected solar energy to enhance the outstanding visual effects at night, promoting the use of green energy. The flower-shaped lighting is incorporated with special sensors, in which the flowers will automatically light up when the visitors place their hands over the sensors. This enhances the interactivity of the artworks and also brings out the message that public participation can help improve the water quality of the city - we can work together to build a healthier environment and plant a bright future for the next generation.
Third Prize
Applicant Name: Yan Chak Fung, Ho Wing Yat
Name of Artwork: Urban Bloom
Design Concept:
From our perspective, the concept of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) is not just blue and green colours to be used in the artwork. ‘Urban Bloom’ not only provides visual interest and creates a brand-new landmark for To Kwa Wan, but also allows visitors to feel and sense it with their own hands. By utilising natural resources such as wind and sunlight in the art installation, this dynamic design can also help to increase public awareness of the environment.
Merit
Applicant Name: Tang Chun Wah
Name of Artwork: The Breathing Tree
Design Concept:
Like Victoria Harbour itself, “The Breathing Tree” is an iconic and lively public art that polishes the To Kwan Wan Promenade and allows the locals to enjoy their visits to the promenade.
Looking at the “Breathing Tree”, the intertwined structure frame visually juxtaposes the trees behind. The form and colours of the installation art reflect the vibrancy of Victoria Harbour. The dichroic glass, a key feature of the public art that displays various colours in different lighting, offers lively and changing moments that enrich the experience of urban strollers. A completely different visual experience will be created at different times and different viewing angles. It casts vivid reflections of sunlight to the ground and tints the promenade into a flourished place. The glass column can harvest and direct rainwater to the draining system underground, which will be reused for irrigation, demonstrating the concept of “Blue-Green infrastructure” to the public.
Beyond the characteristics it brings in the daytime, the lighting on the frame structure makes the public art a beauteous and marvellous landmark at night, complementing the installation art on both sides of Victoria Harbour, echoing and enhancing the vitality of the district, and immersing the strollers in the spirited and lively life of our city.
Merit
Applicant Name: Tang Chun Wah
Name of Artwork: The Mist
Design Concept:
The theme of the artwork is ‘To Kwa Wan in the mist’, symbolising the pollution of our city, and promoting the green message of energy conservation and pollution reduction.
By the reuse of plastic bottles as the primary component of the artworks, these materials can be upcycled for landscape beautification.
The outer layer of the pavilion is made of dark-coloured plastic bottles to represent the ‘mist’, while metal is used to support the structure. Since the plastic bottle is transparent in nature, the map-shaped sculpture inside the pavilion can be hazily viewed from the outside in the daytime. The sculpture's LED lighting perfectly complements the hues of the To Kwa Wan tenement buildings to create a stunning night-time view. Visitors can enjoy and take pictures of the lighting inside and outside the pavilion at night.
Seats are provided in the pavilion designed with openings facing Victoria Harbour so that people can relax and enjoy the harbour view. Vines climbing up the aluminium structure also add a shade of green to the environment. Plastic bottles filled with water are located above the pavilion to reflect sunlight so as to save energy and lower emissions.
Members of the Jury Panel (from left to right): Mr Vic YAU Cheuk-hang, JP; Ms Alice PANG, JP; Mr Vincent NG Wing-shun, S.B.S, JP; Prof Becky LOO Pui-ying, JP and Mr LEUNG Kong-yui, B.B.S, JP
Entries under assessment by Jury Panel
Photo of VIPs of the Award Presentation Ceremony (back) and prize winners (front)
Photo of first prize winner Mr CHENG Chin-pang (middle), VIP of the Award Presentation Ceremony Mr Vincent NG Wing-shun, S.B.S, JP (left) and Ms Alice PANG, JP (right)