<essays> Chaotic Hong Kong Crafts (+α) in Kyoto 2025
My recent experience interpreting at a Hong Kong craft event in Kyoto offered a fascinating glimpse into the diverse and dynamic artistic landscape of the city in 2025.
A year and a half after my mother's death, I go back to my parents' house for about three days every month to clean up. I like Hong Kong because my mom's honeymoon was there. My first visit was probably around 25 years ago. When I moved to Kyoto, Art Basel Hong Kong started around the same time, and I went every spring to interview and write articles for a Japanese website. I also used to attend group exhibitions of Hong Kong artists every autumn. However, I haven't been back for about two years since the Covid era ended.
About a month ago, a Chinese friend of mine in Kyoto said, "My Hong Kong friend will have an art fair event, so can you help them interpret?" I don't understand Cantonese, the original language of Hong Kong, but I replied, "That's fine".
On March 11th, I went to the venue, a hotel in Kyoto, Japan. I hadn't yet met the staff from Hong Kong. When I asked a Japanese staff member at the entrance, "Excuse me, where is the Hong Kong event being held?", she replied, "They haven't arrived yet, please wait".
From the second day onwards, it was a mix of BtoB and BtoC activities, including exhibition and sales. I received a message from the organizer: "I'll be at the venue after my meeting, so could you please look after the guests?"
I had received the exhibitors' materials beforehand. I also interviewed 21 exhibitors to gain a good understanding of their works. As a result, I was able to explain their pieces in Japanese to the Japanese visitors who came to the venue from 11:00 am to 7 or 8 pm until March 15th, the final day.
Since it was located away from the main art fair venues, there weren't many customers. It felt like a chaotic yet interesting microcosm from a Japanese perspective!
Even though I appreciate Hong Kong's vibrancy, I come from the contemporary art world. The mix of modern pottery, embroidery, sparkling accessories, cute goods, incense, traditional crafts, cyanotype and near-future fashion felt quite unexpected to me.
However, I sensed that this diverse energy represents the "now" in Hong Kong (and to some extent, China). For Japanese individuals accustomed to valuing continuity and tradition, this exhibition offered a glimpse into something various, mysterious and dynamic.
It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but on one occasion, a customer I wasn't able to speak with left the venue very quickly, in about 30 seconds. In fact, the Hong Kong artists and organizers who came here are actively moving forward and capturing the spirit of our times. This led to me making friends with over half of them. I'm looking forward to connecting and creating with people like this. It was a stimulating week, and I'm very grateful for the experience!
Thank you so much, everyone!