【Book Promotion Event】One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai by WE ARE THE PIGS Exhibition | Artist Talk | Book Signing Session
Organiser: Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base)
Supporter: WE ARE THE PIGS
Special Thanks: Idea Publication
Throughout the history of time, when humans have faced inexplicable phenomena, ghosts and monsters are imagined due to their inner anxiety and uncertainty. Related urban tales and weird tales are accordingly emerged. Every place in the world has its own ghost stories. Although yokai may only exist in people's imagination, these supernatural beings undoubtedly reflect the histories and memories of a place. Till today, ghost stories are still prevalent subjects in mass media and entertainment industries such as comics, animations, video games, toys, movie, etc.
Hong Kong local arts unit We Are The Pigs gets inspiration from Japanese Hyakki Yakō (also known as Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) and collects local folklore ghost stories, diving in the allure of ghosts and monsters over the hundred years. They can be found in various districts all over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. However, they no longer look scary but show up in lovely appearances. We Are The Pigs breaks with conventions and creates a collection of yokai characters. Instead of having spine-chilling looks, the characters they designed are lively, interesting and hilarious. Moreover, the artists present Hong Kong horror tales in a visual form of Shokugan (also known as Japanese food toy) stickers hoping to preserve folk history through arts.
Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) organises 【Book Promotion Event】One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai by We Are The Pigs Exhibition and Artist Talk with a Book Signing Session. Audience can spark some interest and explore more storied and spooky ghost legends in town and gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong history and culture through the illustration collection by We Are The Pigs.
***During the exhibition period of One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai by We Are The Pigs Exhibition, a touring exhibition Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan, organised by the Japan Foundation and co-presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong, is also held at Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre. The exhibition introduces Japanese yokai culture from ancient times to the present to Hong Kong audience through a display of various visual art forms and media of popular culture. Japanese and Hong Kong yokai, transcending space and time, gather at Hong Kong Arts Centre this April!*
Book Introduction
One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai
One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai is the first project of We Are The Pigs, systematically comprising more than 100 Hong Kong urban legends. The appearance of ghost tales usually illustrates the social circumstances and atmosphere and the unique historical background of a place at a certain time. Hong Kong lyricist Lin Xi once said, ‘It is precious that ghost stories exist in Hong Kong’. Every folk ghost story encapsulates Hong Kong history and culture over the century. One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai is continuing to collect more local folk haunted stories—it will be a journey for everyone to explore and record.
Author, Illustrator: We Are The Pigs
Format: Binding hardcover
Number of pages: 208pp
Dimension: 150(w) x 216(h) mm
Publisher: Idea Publication
Date of publication: April 2024 (Third editon), September 2023 (Second edition)
Language: Traditional Chinese
Price: HK$ 148
Purchase in HKAC ARTSHOP now !
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One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai by WE ARE THE PIGS Exhibition
Date: 07.04 – 05.05.2024
Time: 09:00 - 23:00
Venue: Jockey Club Atrium, G/F to 4/F, HKAC
The exhibition displays a collection of drawing, Shokugan stickers and miniature figures on the theme of local ghost legends. The artists re-interpret Hong Kong history and culture by designing original yokai characters, with an artistic presentation that reminds many Hong Kong people of their childhood memories. Audio exhibits are also featured to tell Hong Kong ghost stories, weaving together visual and auditory enjoyment to lead audiences into the fantastical world of Hong Kong’s yokai.
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Artist Talk and Book Signing Session
Speaker: WE ARE THE PIGS
Guest Speaker: Keeto LAM
Moderator: Ko CHEUNG
Date: 04.05.2024 (Sat)
Time: 15:00 – 17:00 (Artist Talk, online registration is required)
17:00 – 18:00 (Book Signing Session, NO registration is required)
Venue: 10/F, HKAC
Conducted in Cantonese
Artist Talk Online Registration
Free admission, participants must arrive with the book One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai (either edition 1, 2, or 3) in order to join the event.
Quota: 70 (Online registration is required. Places are limited on a first-come-first-served basis.)
***For those do not have the book, you can also purchase One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai at HKAC ART SHOP in advance***
Purchase in HKAC ARTSHOP now !
***Special Souvenir***
Participant who follow the Facebook page or Instagram of Comix Home Base can receive an exhibition special edition sticker on that day.
Facebook: hkacchb | Instagram: @comixhomebase
There are countless ghost stories in Hong Kong. Since 1960s and 1970s, numerous movies and television productions have drawn inspiration by ghost, such as Cable TV programme The Unbelievable, classical film Rouge, metro radio programme Horror Hotline, and so on. So, what is the connection between local ghostly urban tales, which have been circulated for many years, and this city?
Members of We Are The Pigs Cathy Lau and Nicky Sun will share their intriguing experience and meaning behind the creation of One Hundred Tales: Stories of Hong Kong Yokai. The artist, together with guest speaker Keeto Lam , will also take a deep dive into occultism and the relationship between ghost tales and Hong Kong history and custom. In addition, the talk will discuss the role of folk legends in Hong Kong and Japan in the transmission of culture of a place. Meanwhile, participants are welcome to share their haunted experiences. Let’s get to know the most mysterious side of this city from another perspective together!
After the artist talk, there will be book signing session by We Are The Pigs.
Guest Speaker: Keeto LAM
Keeto Lam is a screenwriter, film critic and teacher, and is a close collaborator with Hong Kong director, Tsui Hark. He hosts an online show, and is a guest commentator on the radio. He is a co-founding member of the Hong Kong Screenwriters’ Guild and the Hong Kong Film Critics Society. As an aficionado in ufology and occultism, he became a member of the Hong Kong UFO Club. He started his career as an animator and illustrator. His major works include Hong Kong’s first animated television series, Professor Panda Says (1978 - 1989); and films such as A Chinese Ghost Story II (dir. Ching Siu-tung, 1990), The Bride with White Hair (dir. Ronny Yu, 1993), Three Husbands (dir. Fruit Chan, 2018) and Coffin Homes (dir. Fruit Chan, 2021).
Check the latest moves on Facebook: hkacchb | Instagram: @comixhomebaseo of Comix Home Base!
Artist: WE ARE THE PIGS
Formed by Nicky Sun and Cathy Lau, We Are The Pigs is a creative unit who aims to inherit Hong Kong culture through their creations. Nicky is responsible for illustration and design, while Cathy works on the text and information gathering. The group uses Shokugan (also known as Japanese food toy) stickers as their primary art medium. They create the so-called 'biscuit stickers' and put stories of Hong Kong culture down on them. 'Biscuit stickers' once were popular during the 1980s in Hong Kong and Japan. Although their popularity waned among the Millennials, these tiny stickers now make a comeback, bringing back childhood memories to generations of Hong Kong people. Thus, We Are The Pigs decided to use Shokugan stickers as their main artistic medium. It is hoped that these stickers, as part of Hong Kong people's memories of local culture and childhood, can arouse their resonance and become heart-warming art.
Organiser
Hong Kong Arts Centre
Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All
Since 1977, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has been a platform for nurturing and supporting artists, and infusing art into everyday life. Its unique arts and educational programmes aim to make the arts accessible for all. The HKAC believes in the transformational power of art for people from all walks of life. Established more than four decades ago, the HKAC brings art to the people of Hong Kong – by presenting programmes for visual arts, performing arts, moving images and media arts, comics and animation. Other areas also cover arts education, conferences, festivals, public art and community projects, all done with the vision and mission of engaging and inspiring creativity in the Hong Kong community.
In 2000, HKAC founded its educational arm, Hong Kong Art School (HKAS). The HKAS provides award-bearing programmes to nurture artists and art practitioners, as well as short enrichment courses for the general public. The HKAC aspires to engage everyone in the community to become an active participant in the arts – as an enthusiast, an artist or a patron.
Let’s continue to embrace ‘Art for Passion, Art for Life, Art for All’, and share the inspiration.
Official website: hkac.org.hk | Facebook: HongKongArtsCentre | Instagram: @hongkongartscentre
Comix Home Base
Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) believes that comics and animation are important local pop culture and artistic creations. HKAC has been dedicated to planning and organising diverse and unique activities to promote the arts and culture of comics and animation to the local community and abroad.
Since 2006, HKAC curated Comix Home Base project (CHB) and hosted over 700 ani-com-related events, such as exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances, publications, screenings, public arts, etc. Outside Hong Kong, the footprints of Hong Kong comics can be found in France, Belgium, Britain, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Japan, Singapore, Mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, etc. Through the uniquely planned programmes, several Hong Kong comics artists have got chances to initiate international collaborations in publishing their comics in foreign languages in Europe and US. These all have made an impact on the international comics scene and helped to raise the profile of Hong Kong comics internationally.
HKAC (CHB) continues to proactively look for opportunities to promote Hong Kong's diverse comics and animation arts, with the aim of increasing international recognition and awareness of Hong Kong’s comics artists and their unique works.
Official website: www.comixhomebase.com.hk | Facebook: hkacchb | Instagram: @comixhomebase
Enquiry:
2582 0200 | chb@hkac.org.hk
The organiser reserves the right to the final decision on the detailed arrangements of the events.
