From childhood to adulthood, we always hear one or two legends about monsters. So, which ones do you know? Since March, art events have been ongoing, and a group of monsters also seized the great opportunity. In April, they quietly sneaked into and settled in the Hong Kong Arts Centre!
This is an interactive art event organized by the Hong Kong Arts Center in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong, and media partners Dangka and Invisibles. The event, themed around yokai, includes a touring exhibition “The Great Yokai March,” book launch of “Hong Kong Ghost Stories,” film screenings, and a series of yokai workshops. Join us in delving into the mysterious and fascinating world of the supernatural, dancing together with yokai culture!
This exhibition is curated by Mr. Yumoto Goichi, the honorary director of the Japanese Yokai Museum (Museum of Yokai Monsters), showcasing the collection from the museum and revealing the evolution of yokai culture from the Edo period to the present. It witnesses the transformation of yokai from fearsome creatures to fascinating and friendly beings, making ghost stories and mysterious legends once a part of Japan’s summer traditions. Through a series of two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and multimedia “yokai” objects, audiences are able to glimpse the different facets of yokai, as well as explore the unexpected connections between yokai and traditional Japanese games. This allows for a deeper understanding of their integration into various aspects of daily life, appreciating the diversity and creativity of yokai artworks.
“Monster Parade”
Organized by the Japan Foundation, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong, the latest touring exhibition “Yokai Parade” will bring the public on a mysterious journey to explore Japanese yokai and their culture. From traditional woodblock prints and embroidered pictures to everyday toys, movies, and other popular culture, delve into the fascinating world of yokai and encounter the supernatural imagination of ancient Japan.
This exhibition is curated by Mr. Goichi Yumoto, the honorary curator of the Japanese Yokai Museum (Museum of Yokai Monsters), presenting collections from the Yokai Museum in Japan. It reveals the evolution of yokai culture from the Edo period to the present, witnessing how yokai transformed from terrifying figures into charming, friendly beings, making ghost stories and mysterious legends once a celebratory part of Japanese summer traditions.
Further Reading:
- Rediscovering Geometric Abstract Art! Interview with Chinese Artist Huo Gang
- Life is like architecture! Renowned architect I.M. Pei’s first large-scale retrospective exhibition to debut at M+ in June!
- Unraveling the Mystery of Planet Walala! Exclusive Interview with French Artist Camille Walala
Pork cutlet stall to release new book “Hong Kong Ghost Stories”
Inspired by Japan’s “Hyakki Yagyō” (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), the local Hong Kong art group “Pork Stickers” collects and records local folk ghost stories, exploring the demons and spirits of the past century. These local ghosts are spread across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, but they appear in cute forms, no longer terrifying. Pork Stickers adopts a light-hearted style in depicting ghosts, designing various ghostly characters, breaking away from the traditional eerie image; through the medium of “food play stickers,” they interpret various ghostly tales from Hong Kong’s history, aiming to preserve folk history through artistic creation.
Hong Kong Arts Centre Late Night Series 2024
The Hong Kong Arts Centre Late Night Series 2024 – Art X will be held on April 13th, in conjunction with the exhibition “Yokai Grand Parade” at Pak Gallery. With yokai as the theme, a series of evening art experiential activities will be presented to the public, offering a diverse perspective on yokai culture. There will be two screenings of the movie “Yokai Beast City” with post-screening discussions, a murder mystery game, and three workshops including the Yokai Mini Lantern Workshop, Yokai Wagashi Workshop, and Neon Yokai Lights Workshop. For the “Yokai Mini Lantern Workshop,” participants will be guided to create yokai lanterns using 3D printing pens; in “Yokai Wagashi: Take Me Home,” participants will be led to create three different flavors of yokai wagashi using traditional Japanese craftsmanship and tools; the “Neon Yokai Lights Workshop” will guide participants to create neon light elements with yokai designs, crafting a vivid and stunning “little yokai”; “Murder Mystery Game: The Ninety-Nine Gods” is a brand-new murder mystery theater production with a yokai theme, providing an immersive experience! There will also be an exclusive new “Yokai” corner, showcasing a wide variety of Hong Kong and Japanese distinctive yokai-themed products in the Art Shop, including stationery, decorations, board games, and more – an unmissable experience!
From traditional woodblock prints and kimono painting to everyday toys and popular culture such as movies, delve into the fascinating world of yokai, encountering Japan’s ancient supernatural imagination. The Hong Kong Arts Centre invites everyone to explore the eternal charm of yokai culture, to partake in this mysterious journey that transcends generations and borders, immersing oneself in the mysteries of Japan’s supernatural heritage.
Yokai stories can bring back many interesting memories, so whether you are a yokai enthusiast or a fan of Japanese culture, do not miss this rare opportunity!
“Yokai Parade”
Date: April 5 to May 5, 2024
Location: Pao Galleries, 4th-5th Floor, Hong Kong Arts Centre
Free Admission
