CENTRAL POLICE STATION PROJECT (TAI KWUN) 2015
回憶與憧憬: 中央警署（大館）肖像攝影企劃

ARTS AND HERITAGE RESOURCES

client

ALMOND CHU

creative and art director

SIU WAI HANG

producer

MAGGIE HUNG

coordinator

MEMORY AND EXPECTATION

Both the history and future development of the Central Police Station are inextricably linked to communities in Central and beyond. This photography project looks at the interactions between people, their communities and architecture, as well as the coexistence and relationship between old buildings and the contemporary city through portraits. The subjects of the photographs include the previous and potential future users of the Central Police Station, such as retired police officers, a retired officer from Correctional Services, heads of social and cultural organisations, professors, scholars, researchers, students, artists, curators, performers and tourists, as well as owners of art galleries, furniture stores, restaurants, bars and printing shops. I situated them at specific settings, which are associated with their communities or roles, and requested them to imagine the appearance and prospects of the Central Police Station after its revitalisation. Some people made serious thinking faces, some gave me their optimistic smiles, some stared off into the distance and expressed a joyful manner. These portraits not only reflect people’s different perspectives, but also their positive response to the evolution of the Central Police Station.

Another element in the photographs is an antique rattan chair.

An antique rattan chair was placed in different positions in each of the photographs to indicate a specific Hong Kong history that cultivated a culture mixed with eastern and western elements. This kind of rattan chair was a product of Hong Kong furniture design in the 1960s and symbolises the development of Hong Kong from that time until the modern city of today. Who has sat on this antique rattan chair and left? Who will be sitting on it next? Those who have sat on this chair and left are full of memories. Those who will have the chance to sit in this chair will be full of expectation.

I express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Calvin Hui, Vice Chairman and CEO of Arts in Heritage Resources (AHR) for inviting me to take part in this project; Ms. Maggie Hung, Research and Programme Executive of AHR for coordinating the shootings; Mr. Siu Wai Hang for assisting with the photo shoot and retouching; and, of course, all of those who took part in the project and the photo shoot with co-operation and understanding.

回憶與憧憬

中央警署過往的歷史及未來的發展都與中環整個社區息息相關。今次的攝影計劃是以人像為出發點，探討人與社區及建築的關係，古建築與現代城市的共存關係。照片中的人物包括了中央警署、域多利監獄及周邊社區的前使用者和將來的潛在使用者，他們分別有退休警察、退休懲教員、社區組織、文化機構的負責人、大學教授、學者、硏究員、學生、藝術家、策展人、畫廊老闆、傢俬店老闆、餐廳、酒吧老闆、印刷舖老闆、表演藝人、遊客等等。我把他們安置於與社區或與其身分有關聯的特定場景中，要求他們想像將來中央警署改建後的面貌及未來的發展；他們有些表現出嚴肅的沈思，有些表現出微笑的期盼，有些在遙望遠處的過程中表現出雀躍的神態……這正正表現了他們對中央警署將來的發展的不同觀點，也表達了他們正面回應的立場。

照片中另一元素是一張古董藤椅。

被安置於每一張照片的不同位置，隱喻香港存在著的中西混集文化的歷史。這款藤椅是上世紀六十年代香港現代傢俬設計的一個標記，象徵著香港從那時起步向現代發展的路途。一張古董的藤椅有誰曾坐過又離開了？ 接著將又有誰會坐下來？ 坐過又離開的充滿著回憶，將來坐下來的理應充滿著憧憬。

藉此我感謝藝術及古蹟硏究有限公司創辧人及行政總裁許劍龍先生的邀約參與這一項企劃，藝術及古蹟硏究有限公司的硏究及節目主任洪美珠為此次拍攝的連絡及安排，蕭偉恒的攝影助理及修圖，以及各被攝者的合作和理解。