2023 International Theatre Engineering & Architecture Conference (ITEAC)
09/21/2023 - 16:53
Our Hong Kong Foundation Presents
2023 International Theatre Engineering & Architecture Conference (ITEAC)
(21 September 2023, Hong Kong) Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) presented the 2023 International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (ITEAC) in Hong Kong yesterday evening, the first time ever this global event is held in Hong Kong. It was an extension from the master ITEAC held in London and one of five branch conferences held simultaneously in Australia, Brazil, Colombia and Japan, with real time interaction across different geographies and culture.
Arts Innovation has been one of OHKF’s research focuses. In 2022, the advocacy report, Be Virtually Ready: Strategy for Future Cultural Creative Industries has aroused discussions among the authorities and the general public about the potential and capability of developing Hong Kong’s arts technology to fulfil the national empowered visions as both a cultural exchange hub and an intellectual property trading hub.
The conference featured a Keynote session with live conversation with ITEAC London Chairs, and two panel discussions which highlighted perspectives from directorates, chief producers and managers from governments, large cultural organisations, theatres, architecture firms and developers in Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore. The conference embodied cultural exchange and centred on three themes: Policy and Performance, Evolution of Theatres in the Digital Era, and the Constructing Cultural Landmarks.
In his Welcoming Remarks, OHKF Executive Vice Chairman and M+ Museum Chairman Mr Bernard Chan said, “In Hong Kong, we are the region’s most influential cultural hub brimming with innovation and characterised by opportunity and our ability to implement and connect.”
In his keynote speech, Policy & Performance: How to Strategically Develop the Arts?, Hong Kong Arts Development Council Chairman Mr Kenneth Fok expressed, “The government is taking a new stance and new direction towards culture, rather as just community engagement events. I think they are really focusing more on how culture can be a permanent player and be a driving force of Hong Kong moving forward. Not just a brand image, not just in our everyday lives, but also as pillar for economic growth.”
Mr Kenneth Fok also shared the stage with ITEAC Editorial Board Chair Mr Paddy Dillon and Association of British Theatre Technicians Chair Mr David Evans for a live conversation moderated by OHKF Researcher Ms Yolanda Lam. Together, they explored the impact of local polices on the development of the arts.
The first panel discussion, Evolution of Theatres in the Digital Era: Hong Kong, Mumbai and Singapore, featured East Kowloon Cultural Centre Senior Manager Mr Barry Ng, The Esplanade Co Ltd Head of Technical Productions Mr Kenny Wong and Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Head Mr Tim Brinkman, with ITEAC Editorial Board Member and former Executive Director of Hong Kong Arts Festival Ms Tisa Ho as the moderator.
The conference then entered the second panel to explore Constructing Cultural Landmarks: Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai. The panelists were Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio & Television Deputy Director-General Mr Ding Zhong Yuan, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Executive Director for Performing Arts Mr Paul Tam, UNStudio Director Ms Garett Hwang, and Shun Tak Holdings Limited Head of Commercial Real Estate Mr James Chow. The session was moderated by Tai Kwun ArtsDirector Mr Timothy Calnin.
OHKF President Dr Jane Lee, Hong Kong Arts Development Council Chairman Mr Kenneth Fok and ITEAC Editorial Board Member and former Executive Director of Hong Kong Arts Festival Ms Tisa Ho.
Group photo of officiating guests, keynote speakers and all speakers at the two panel sessions.
OHKF Executive Vice Chairman and M+ Museum Chairman Mr Bernard Chan stated, “One of this year’s themes is “Digital Revolution”, and this actually speaks directly to Our Hong Kong Foundation’s advocacy for the crossover between the art, technology and government policy, which is built on a rich history of cultural diversity, economic prosperity and a very striving entrepreneur spirit. And a very dynamic city serves as a gateway between the east and the west, fostering innovation, trade and global connectivity.”
Hong Kong Arts Development Council Chairman Mr Kenneth Fok stated in his keynote speech, “The way Government sees culture is very important. I think now the Government recognises the importance of culture within a city. Not just in terms of its GDP contribution, but also to its overall development and well-being of the population.”
ITEAC Editorial Board Member and former Executive Director of Hong Kong Arts Festival Ms Tisa Ho stated, “We have been talking about telling the Hong Kong stories, making sure Hong Kong is heard globally. This is one, a rather specialised occasion in which we have the opportunity to do this.”
East Kowloon Cultural Centre Senior Manager Mr Barry Ng stated, “We believe by only providing necessary resources, time and space for artists could be successfully promote the convergence of art tech.”
Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Head Mr Tim Brinkman stated that, “The audience is experiencing the theatre as a live event. In the background everything’s happening digitally and actually their experience, the taste, the flavour of their experience is altered, and they are not aware of it.”
The Esplanade Co. Ltd Head of Technical Productions Mr Kenny Wong shared the grand infrastructure transformation project of the Esplanade to evolving it to the new digital age.
West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Performing Arts Executive Director Mr Paul Tam said that, “The culture project actually adds to the soul of the city. And so we started with the (Hong Kong) Cultural Centre, like many many years ago and then we have Tai Kwun, we have PMQ, and now with West Kowloon Cultural District.”
UNStudio Director Ms Garett Hwang said, “Our goal was then to build the experience that didn't just focus on the people who are coming to see the shows, but also considered then those who are coming in to use it. The users of course, those who are running it and those who were not coming to the shows, but really want to come to the building because it is serving the public.”
Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio & Television Deputy Director-General Mr Ding Zhong Yuan said that, “We have to create the new demands for all the travelers and local people to let them have more opportunities to join the art, to approach the art.”
When describing the New Bund 31 project, Shun Tak Holdings Limited Head of Commercial Real Estate Mr James Chow explained how its design idea is revolving around “connectivity”, “We can put all the people together and link all the people together and link all these different activities together.”
As the moderator for the second panel session: Constructing Cultural Landmarks: Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai, Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited Director Mr Timothy Calnin, shared his first encounter and gradually witnessing the rising cultural landscape at his home city. He inspired the speakers with a question on the essential combination that gives a cultural landscape that people will all seek and love to be involved in its development.
