All aboard for HK's travelling art show (hktdc.com)


	Up, up and away: the painted containers are loaded on board to begin their journey

	Art container project committee members Stella Tang, Grace Tang and Monti Lai explain the idea behind the project

	Artists were inspired by Hong Kong's natural environment and its rich cultural history

Ten shipping containers adorned with original works by Hong Kong artists set sail last month for a journey that will take them to various parts of the world. The containers, which are loaded with cargo, are the first batch of 37 decorated shipping containers bound for different destinations to serve as Hong Kong art ambassadors.

"We were inspired by the local context," said Stella Tang, one of the project organisers from Mere Independent Artists, a non-profit organisation that came up with the concept. "We liked the idea of using travelling containers because it's very much related to Hong Kong's long and rich maritime history."

According to the project organisers, using moving containers as the medium allows art to step out of its traditional exhibition space. "You don't normally associate a functional object like a container with art. But taking a functional object so closely connected to everyday life can help bring art closer to people's life."

The first port of call is Singapore, where the artists will meet up with three colleagues travelling on board with the containers. After exhibits in the Lion City, each container then is bound for different destinations. Some of them will be exhibited in places such as Dubai. But the works will primarily be displayed during their regular port rounds. The movement of each numbered container can be monitored for the next three years through an online tracking system as they make their way to different ports. "We can't predict what will happen during that time – where they will be seen, if they will be seen – or if they will return intact. Some could even end up at the bottom of the sea," said Ms Tang.

But it is those possibilities and the unexpected that will form the basis of each container's story. Most if not all will eventually return to Hong Kong three years later, each with its own unique story of its footprint, archived as part of the journey.

Beautiful Journey, Beautiful World

The 38 artists worked on their paintings for three weeks in May at the future Hong Kong Cultural District site in West Kowloon, where the public was welcome to observe the artists in action. Using industrial paint, which is better able to withstand the elements during the journey, the artists came up with their own interpretation of the overall theme, Beautiful Journey, Beautiful World.

Ms Tang's painting, From Ocean to Land, centred on a green theme. "I was inspired by a visit to the Hong Kong Wetland Park, and came up with a theme about being in touch with the natural environment," she said. Another work by artist Grace Tang entitled Dreamscape of Prehistoric Time tells of animals that roamed as guardians of the Earth. "I wanted to tell a simple story about living things – that all creatures, even those that are not majestic, should have equal importance."

The art container project was made possible through partnerships with businesses including Dubai and Hong Kong-based Emirates Shipping Line, the official carrier for the project. "We see the art container project as a collaboration of the elements of art, creativity and container shipping. This unique project will showcase Hong Kong in its true glamorous, yet inspirational presence throughout the globe," said Vikas Khan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Shipping Line. Meantime, co-organiser Asia Container Leasing provided the containers, while another sponsor, Shanghai Mega Coatings Company, provided the industrial paint

Organisers said the aim of the project is not solely to publicise Hong Kong art, but to also engage the public around the world to talk about art. In an age when high-profile works of art have become prized commodity, Grace Tang pointed out that art can be appreciated on many levels, and not just based on the price tag. "Art is an interaction between the artist and the community. If you only look at the price, you're missing out on a lot."