Prof Leo Lee (front) and Prof Desmond Hui explain the creative concept of the exhibition



From left: Prof Leo Lee, Dr Ronald Lu, Mrs Rita Lau, Mr Louis Yu and Prof Desmond Hui



Dinner to enhance communication and exchange between Hong Kong and its overseas counterparts



Audiences from all over the world touring around the exhibits

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) join hands again to present the multi-facet of Hong Kong architecture at the 11th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition this year.

The exhibition, entitled "Fabrica Cultura (Culture Fabricate)", is the manifestation of architecture in a spectrum of cultural aspects and practices. Under the joint curatorial direction of Prof Desmond Hui (architect cum cultural scholar) and Prof Lee Ou-fan, Leo (scholar cum writer/critics), the exhibition will explore the idea of "Fabrica Cultura" within six categories: object, building, landscape, city, media and text.

To mark this important occasion, Mrs Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Dr Ronald Lu, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and Mr Louis Yu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council officiated at the opening ceremony on 12 September.

Through the combined efforts of the nine participating groups, the curators would like to present a moving mosaic or tapestry woven. Exhibitors include architects, designers, photographers, performers and writer/critics.

To facilitate discussion and exchanges with overseas counterparts, a forum "The Re-making of Hong Kong" was held on 13 September at the exhibition site. The forum was chaired by Prof Desmond Hui and Prof Leo Lee, with speakers including Mr Trevor Boddy(architectural critic, Vancouver, Canada), Prof Ralph Lerner (Dean of Architecture, University of Hong Kong) and Dr Charles Merewether (art historian, writer and curator).

The forum brings together a group of distinguished speakers - architects, artists, theorists, historians, critics, educators and curators - to further explore the theme 'architecture beyond buildings' as expressed by the Hong Kong exhibition.  The title "The Re-making of Hong Kong" poses the question of how the city (Hong Kong) can be understood, re-interpreted and finally re-made (re-fabricated) in the context of architecture presented/re-presented as cultural imaginations and manifestations.

The ADC and HKIA made its first debut in the Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition in 2006. The exhibition was able to attract more than 24,000 audiences.

This year, "Fabrica Cultura (Culture Fabricate): HK in Venice" will take place from 14 September to 23 November 2008 at Arensale - Campo della Tana, Castello 2126 - 30122, Venice. The web site is www.venicebiennale.hk.