Supported by
As Hong Kong’s Centre for Heritage and Arts, Tai Kwun is committed to making a broad and appealing programme of visual arts, heritage and performing arts available and fully accessible to the people of Hong Kong, to ignite curiosity and encourage exploration.
Tai Kwun encompasses two large open spaces – the peaceful and introspective Prison Yard and the vibrant and welcoming Parade Ground. Linking the two is the Tai Kwun Lane - a direct pedestrian passageway rising through the Barrack Block (Block 03) over a link bridge, through two cell blocks and up a flight of stairs ending at the front door of JC Contemporary.
Inspired by the enthusiastic public response to our current exhibition Vital Signs, which celebrates Hong Kong’s unique neon culture in the second half of the 20th Century, Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited ("Tai Kwun Arts") is inviting Hong Kong creative talents to use the medium of neon lights to illuminate Tai Kwun Lane and create a visual guide which intrigues visitors in the Parade Ground to explore the Prison Yard and vice versa.
Tai Kwun Neon Connection is an open call to Hong Kong creative talents to propose a public sculpture in the medium of neon light to capture the imagination of visitors in both of Tai Kwun’s open public spaces and draw them deeper into the Tai Kwun experience.
While inviting artists, designers, architects and other talents in the creative industries to be bold and expansive, Tai Kwun Neon Connection also poses the practical challenges of designing an illuminated public sculpture to be installed in one or more heritage buildings while respecting the historic fabric integrity of the former Central Police Station and Victoria Gaol, and the winning entrant will need to demonstrate both an imaginative vision and its technical solutions.
All entries will be shortlisted based on technical feasibility and artistic value, assessed by a panel of architectural, heritage and artistic advisers and technical professionals.
A maximum of 3 shortlisted proposals will be awarded HK$10,000 each, regardless of whether the entrants are an individual, a group or a company.. The winning proposal (regardless of whether the entrants are an individual, a group or a company) will receive an additional cash prize of HK$90,000 and the design to be installed in Tai Kwun Lane in January 2024 to coincide with Tai Kwun’s ongoing celebration of Hong Kong’s neon culture.
