Calling Hong Kong's budding young sleuths. The Museum of Art has lost an exhibit and needs your help to uncover it.
It is holding an educational art exhibition entitled "Gone with the Wings" at the Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park, featuring a detective story that teaches about ready-made art.
It takes visitors behind the scenes at a museum, from the curator’s office to the conservation laboratory, to search for clues to find the missing exhibit.
Interactive education
Museum of Art Curator Maria Mok said participants will learn more about art from the different materials they come across during their investigation.
"You are almost like the artist himself where you discover special little things in everyday life.
"When you are at the curator’s office you are going to see what the curators have been touching, or flipping through the books or research materials that she’s using. That will tell you something about ready-made items."
She said the exhibition educates youngsters in a fun and interactive way.
"The educational materials will not be given through a form of worksheet or workshop. There are no right or wrong answers. You don’t have to hold on to your worksheets and put ticks or crosses.
"You simply just enjoy the discovery and your investigation. You just pick up information about this type of art."
Trust your senses
The young detectives not only look for clues, they can listen for them as well.
Renowned percussionist Dr Lung Heung-wing created the sound of the missing exhibit by using everyday objects like wicker items, chopsticks and Chinese checkers.
He wants to remind participants that even unnoticeable things can be beautiful and inspiring.
"I emphasise the use of recycled things like plastic bags and bottle lids. I tried not to use real instruments but daily-found objects to create the sounds. So visitors will say 'wow, I never imagined the sound of plastic bags can sound like sea waves'. Through sound they can use their imagination."
He said hunting for clues in low light puts things in a new perspective, allowing participants to reflect on their daily lives.
"Children nowadays are too busy learning many different things, they have no time to reflect, to think about why they have to do these. They should stop, listen and think."
Unlike traditional exhibitions, participants can touch all the exhibits in this show.
Artist Wong Tin-yan, creator of the story's missing exhibit, said people nowadays are too dependent on electronic gadgets, reducing their chance to touch real things.
He said the exhibition will re-engage the senses people are using less of in the modern world.
"People nowadays use [gadgets] a lot to browse. Although some of the images are stunning, it actually weakens our senses and prevents us from touching the world."
Unleashing creativity
The last part of the exhibition allows participants to interact with an enormous ready-made artwork, by adding their own touches to the piece with a souvenir received when they find the missing exhibit.
Ms Mok said it allows participants to make instant use of the knowledge gained from the exhibition.
"After enjoying the fun of investigating and learning more about ready-made art, you can actually make some ready-made artworks yourself. You can co-create with our artist and make his ready-made mythical animal larger."
The exhibition will run until December 27.
