At VICE VERSA,
each extrapolates two contexts with a singular move...

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) have jointly presented Hong Kong's first ever exhibition titled VICE VERSA: displacing Acts, Lives and Thresholds of a Hyper City at the 10th Venice Architectural Biennale in September 2006. To enable the public to view these distinct artworks from the world's most prominent architectural exhibition, the Hong Kong Response Exhibition is held with the generous support from Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited in providing venue and sponsoring the event.

The opening ceremony is officiated by Dr Patrick HO, Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr HE Guangbei, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, together with the commissioner of the exhibition Prof Bernard V LIM, President of the HKIA and Mr Jonathan YU, Chief Executive of ADC.

Architecture and Art, although often divergent in goal, expectation and practice in Hong Kong, are brought back together in VICE VERSA. The presenting eight exhibits: stairs, containers, stools, ladders, escalators, stage, beds and portals, were the artistic research, re-design and reconstruction of common objects and phenomena. Homecoming of this Hong Kong debut does not merely replicate the one in Venice but with new creative works tailored for local audience and venue. With 1:5 large-size model, video installation, wide format supergraphics, walk-through tunnel, photographic documentaries and interviews recording, VICE VERSA in Hong Kong is an inventive representation of the Venice Exhibition, vastly acclaimed by international reporters and critics.

At today's opening ceremony, Dr Patrick Ho stated that the style of Hong Kong architecture represents our creativity, displaying the combination of the east and the west, the modern and the tradition. It also attests to our concern of environmental protection. The generous sponsorship of this exhibition proofs not only the close relationship between architecture and everyday life, but also the importance of architectural contribution on both the economic and cultural areas.

Also speaking at the ceremony is Mr He Guangbei, representing Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, the official banking partner of the exhibition, "As we all know, Bank of China Tower is one of the famous landmarks in Hong Kong and is designed by the world renowned Chinese architect, Mr I. M Pei. It is therefore meaningful to stage the Hong Kong Response Exhibition at the Bank of China Tower. Bank of China (Hong Kong) is committed to promoting the arts and cultural development in Hong Kong. It is our great pleasure to participate in this international event. We look forward to the opportunity of facilitating the international cultural exchanges in the time ahead, and contributing our small part in making Hong Kong an Asian arts and cultural centre."

Prof Bernard Lim, President of the HKIA and co-commissioner of the exhibition remarked, "Architecture acts as a cultural 'bridge' and plays important roles at both social and economic levels. Let us enjoy this glorious moment – the art of Hong Kong architecture appearing on the stage of a world-class exhibition which makes its appearance back in Hong Kong today.  Hong Kong architecture is in our society; it is in our culture; it is in our economy."

Closing the ceremony with a vote of thanks, Mr Jonathan Yu, Chief Executive of the ADC stated, "In recent years we have witnessed increasingly active corporate gestures and efforts in art sponsorships and promotions. While contributing to image building, these activities also provide the public more opportunities to see diverse artworks and performances of the highest standards. The ADC has constantly been active in exploring social resources and forming partnerships to encourage community support for arts development. By pooling together the creativity of the arts community, the support from the business community and the experience of the ADC in organising arts events, we believe that the combined resources can be effectively channelled into developing local arts and culture, thus making Hong Kong an international hub for the arts."

All the eight returning exhibitors have also made presence to reveal an unfamiliar exposé of Hong Kong architecture, including CL3 Architects Ltd; Andrew Lee King Fun & Associates Architects Ltd; Rocco Design Architects Ltd; Vito Bertin, Gu Daqing and Woo Pui-leng; Laurence Liauw with Videotage; Architecture Design and Research Group Ltd; Hong Kong Housing Authority and Wallace Chang.

VICE VERSA was one of the most attended and vigorously discussed exhibitions amongst more than 50 participating countries at this year Venice Biennale, which is a success and a milestone for Hong Kong architecture. Inaugurated in early September, curators Alvin Yip, Joshua Lau and Billy Tam with the exhibiting architects and artists have demonstrated the unique architectural character of Hong Kong. Curator Alvin Yip pronounces the original concept of "displacement" to describe architecture of Hong Kong, "at VICE VERSA, each of the 8 exhibitors was given a thesis and asked to react and make ‘displacement' in very limited time. Indeed I admire the talent of many whom improvise foreign conditions not unlike the performing artists. The temporality and immediacy critically narrate a kind of Hong Kong practice. Hostelling hot cash and volatile desires, Hong Kong is a unique creation in the history of city-making. Our first presentation at this most progressive architecture exposition is instrumental in constructing a discourse, to imagine new urban paradigms, tactics and identities for modern Chinese cities in a global age."

The response exhibition is open for public viewing at the Lobby, Ground Floor of the Bank of China Tower from November 7 to December 1, 2006, 9:00am-8:00pm (Mon - Fri) and 9:00am -1:00pm (Sat). With the fervent support by Antiquities and Monuments Office, the exhibition will move to the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park from 8 December 2006 to 21 February 2007, 10:00am-6:00pm (Mon - Sat, except Thur), and 10:00am -7:00pm (Sun and public holidays).
 
VICE VERSA is organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) with full support by the Home Affairs Bureau. Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited is the Official Banking Partner of the event.