During Hong Kong Art Month, Harbour City invited renowned French artist JR to exhibit his first Asian installation of the GIANTS series, titled GIANTS: Rising Up, in March and April. This monumental public art installation is inspired by high jump athletes, capturing the moment of their graceful leap with their backs arched in a beautiful curve, as if floating in mid-air, gazing back at the magnificent Victoria Harbour.
With over 1.7 million Instagram followers, JR is once again exhibiting his artwork in Hong Kong since 2012. The entire large-scale public art installation is 12 meters high and 12 meters wide, cleverly interacting with the iconic Victoria Harbour. This installation is actually a continuation of JR’s previous exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, featuring three photography art installations themed around athletes, depicting their competitive spirit.
It is worth noting that this time the artist specifically chose to create an installation using the unique bamboo scaffolding of Hong Kong, and hung black and white canvas photos on it. Since its release, the work has already sparked public discussion. Some people find the poses of the people in the photos unsettling, and even triggered various “feng shui doubts”. However, at the same time, there are people who greatly appreciate the artist’s use of Hong Kong’s unique Victoria Harbour skyline and traditional bamboo scaffolding craftsmanship to create the work, believing that this work is consistent with their creative style. We took this opportunity to invite the artist and their team to share with us in detail the creative concept behind this work!
Why use high jump athletes as the theme for this installation? Is there any specific symbolic meaning to it?
JR: In our eyes, the posture of a high jumper represents strength and bravery. “Rising up” embodies the adventurous act of moving away from solid ground, resisting gravity, and experiencing a brief sense of freedom akin to flying. This piece aims to encourage the audience to take flight and achieve greater possibilities.
Why did you choose bamboo as the main material for your work instead of using metal brackets?
JR: I have always been interested in the bamboo scaffolding that can be seen everywhere in Hong Kong, and I am glad to incorporate it into my new work. In fact, as early as the 2016 Rio Olympics, I started incorporating scaffolding and athlete elements into my creations.
Can you share with us the process of creating this piece? What difficulties did you encounter along the way?
JR team: “Rising Up” has been in the works for a long time. JR and the team members started selecting the best locations for installation in October 2019. The original plan was to carry out the installation project in March 2020, but it was delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. With the repeated outbreaks and preventive measures, the installation project has been postponed multiple times. Therefore, JR and the team members are all excited that Rising Up can finally make its debut in front of the public.
For the JR team, using bamboo scaffolding to create a work for the first time was both exciting and challenging. Because the team had never encountered this unique Hong Kong craftsmanship before, it was sometimes difficult to figure out how to integrate it into the installation. Fortunately, the final result looks great, and we are pleased to have incorporated this unique sculptural element into “Rising up”.
What is the most appealing scenery for artists in Hong Kong?
JR team: Because Hong Kong has a rich history and culture, JR is delighted to install the artwork “Rising up” in Victoria Harbour. Each viewer can interpret this installation in their own way. Is it depicting a high jumper leaping above the Victoria skyline, or a high diver flipping through the air into the harbor waters? It is believed that only in the unique and commemorative landscape of Hong Kong can this installation encompass both interpretations.
Would JR look forward to coming to Hong Kong to see his own installation work?
JR team: JR naturally hopes that he can personally see this work, as it is his first time designing with bamboo and he is very excited about this new experimental technique. However, due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the installation progress has been delayed three times, and the artist is unable to come to Hong Kong in person to appreciate the work. When “Rising up” was unveiled, JR was busy filming in New York, but he is very satisfied with the final product and hopes to bring more works to Hong Kong in the future.
After 11 years, bringing the feeling of the work back to Hong Kong.
JR team: JR is thrilled to showcase his work in Hong Kong once again. His last project in Hong Kong was for his “Inside Out” initiative. Now, almost a decade later, a lot has changed, but what excites him the most is that the “Inside Out” project is still thriving. The Hong Kong team is organizing an “Inside Out” action to coincide with the exhibition of “Rising up”. The artist hopes that the Hong Kong audience can draw strength and inspiration from “Rising up”.
What is the joy of creating the “Giants” series?
JR team: The greatest joy in creating the “Giants” series lies in building the scaffolding, which allows JR to break free from the constraints of walls. The giant installations can be erected anywhere, so the works are conceptualized with consideration for the actual architectural environment. In the case of this artwork, the artist hopes that viewers can see themselves in the images and imagine the feeling of freedom after accomplishing extraordinary feats. Each viewer can interpret the installation in their own way and elucidate the meaning of the work through their personal perspective, regardless of distance.
Can you share some of the recent projects that JR has been working on?
JR team: Since last year, JR has been dedicated to his “Déplacé·e·s” series, aiming to deepen global awareness of millions of refugee children around the world. To create these installations, he has traveled to Ukraine, Rwanda, Colombia, Greece, Mauritania, and Italy. Families in these regions have been displaced due to factors such as war, climate change, or social instability. Building on this project, he released an art series called “Les Enfants d’Ouranos” in March of this year. In May, he will install a physical installation at the Parrish Art Museum in New York.
JR “GIANTS: Rising Up” Public Art Installation @ Harbour City
Date: From now until April 23, 2023
Time: 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Location: Harbour City Maritime Viewpoint
Admission: Free
Image source: Harbour City, JR
