In order to accommodate urban development, in the past two decades, there have been continuous projects to rebuild old buildings in the community. The number of old tenement buildings is decreasing, replaced by magnificent high-rise buildings. However, the value of these old buildings is not just to provide housing for people. They bear witness to the history of Hong Kong, reflecting the cultural landscape of the past era. The profound cultural significance behind them is worth passing down to future generations.
Recently, the local developer Lofung Group has set up the “Old Hong Kong • Fusion of the Past – Art Concept Gallery” in a redevelopment project site in Prince Edward. Visitors can appreciate a series of rare old objects in this space. When stepping into this old building, we feel like we are entering a tunnel of time, exploring the lifestyle of old Hong Kong.
Located on Prince Edward’s Keelung Street, this old building is a pre-war Cantonese-style arcade architecture, witnessing the huge changes in the community from old to new over the years. Before it is demolished, it will be transformed into an art gallery that embodies the historical heritage. The concept gallery covers an area of about 4,000 square feet, and the developer has invited several local artists who value the inheritance of Hong Kong’s cultural spirit to create. For example, the stone pillars in the outer corridor were personally inscribed by local artist Wu Yutong (pen name “Zhu Moqing”), adding a classical touch to the space that is already filled with historical Hong Kong vibes. Additionally, we will also see the calligraphy works of Mr. Li Han, a Hong Kong street calligrapher, whose fonts are full of style, giving the space a taste of old Hong Kong.
The concept store displays a variety of old items from the 1950s to the 1990s, including wooden stools, vintage electric fans, decorative iron gates, nostalgic lightboxes, sewing machines, and more, allowing the public to appreciate the beauty of these old items. Some objects that accompanied us in our growth but have long been obsolete, such as white iron products that were commonly used as mailboxes, water buckets, bird cages, and rice containers, heavy old-fashioned televisions, and vintage signs with “white background, red letters,” are also on display.
The space is complemented by light and shadow, projecting images on the walls filled with traces of time, reflecting the old Hong Kong’s characteristic culture and architecture. As the scene shifts, it reveals modern skyscrapers and technology, yet the beauty of the fusion and collision between the old and the new can still be felt, leading the audience into the eternal concept that does not belong to the old or new time and space.
Inside the venue, there are exquisite souvenirs such as postcards, playing cards, and pins. Audience members can also enjoy nostalgic snacks such as maltose biscuits, Ding Ding candy, rice cakes, banana cakes, and sugar onion cakes. On weekends, there are resident masters performing traditional crafts – dragon beard candy and sugar onion cake making.
This concept art gallery presents to the public the integrated development of old and new in the city. We can not only appreciate the aesthetics of old Hong Kong architecture, but also see many old items that have disappeared from the market. This art concept gallery full of era flavor will be open for free starting on August 13th. You are welcome to visit and experience the footsteps of the past.
“Old Hong Kong • Fusion of the Past – Art Concept Gallery”
Date: August 13 to August 27
Time: 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Monday to Friday); 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Weekends and Public Holidays)
Location: G/F, 1-7 Kai Lung Street, Prince Edward
