Seminar Sidelights | Step Into the Worlds of Two Artists to Find the Secret of the Exhibition

Expressing one's emotions involves much more than just words and speech. In fact, there are many other ways to communicate without speaking aloud, which can often allow you to experience feelings on a deeper level. I believe that through his photography, Mr. Kao Chung-ming not only documents the anti-extradition bill movement in Hong Kong, but also expresses his own emotions embedded within photograph after photograph.

This symposium sheds light on the serendipitous circumstances that brought Kao Chung-ming and Li Tien-chueh together for this collaborative exhibition. Despite a simple, casual introduction, the two hit it off immediately and discovered shared concerns. Mr. Kao Chung-ming stepped away from the role of a news media worker, opting instead to approach his work from the perspective of an artistic photographer.

Beginning in 2005, he sought to shoot his own works, using his camera lens to produce diverse content, such as series like "So Uk Estate," "Cubicle Apartments," and the homeless series "Exile." We can see that all these photographic works revolve around different issues in Hong Kong, reflecting Mr. Kao Chung-ming's sustained concern for various local issues—a commitment that continues to this day in the anti-extradition movement works featured in our exhibition.

Meanwhile, Mr. Li Tien-chueh took on the role of a filmmaker for this exhibition. While this was a novel endeavor for him personally, his habitual perspective led him to view things from the inside out. Upon seeing Kao Chung-ming's works, he noticed a strong focus on human subjects and felt that Kao's works project his own feelings, inviting viewers to reflect upon themselves, introspect, or draw personal connections through the art.

For over a decade, Mr. Kao Chung-ming's photographic approach has remained relatively traditional; as a direct person, his works have consistently expressed his desired sentiments in an equally direct manner. Observing his work reveals that his focus remains centered on people, reflecting events from a grounded and simple perspective. Although photography methods may occasionally evolve over time, his passion for the photographic journey runs so deep it borders on a craving, continuously drawing inspiration from the intermittent study of various master photographers.

The space at the JRF may accommodate various developments. Mr. Kao Chung-ming placed complete trust in Mr. Li Tien-chueh to curate and design the entire exhibition. They discussed spatial design and the rationale behind space allocation, employing visual techniques to manifest the emotions evoked by the artworks and integrating them with the photographs. Through this collaboration, Mr. Kao realized how much he learned from the exhibition, noting that he was a complete novice at anything outside of photography. Initially offering minor suggestions that proved unfeasible, he gradually spoke less. Through continuous interaction and creative friction during the collaboration, new things emerged; by incorporating diverse new opinions and angles, a novel creation was born. This fruitful outcome stems from the artistic collision between the two, culminating in the works currently on display at the venue.

Throughout the symposium, one could sense the sparks generated by the two artists and their respective areas of expertise. Beyond works born simply from revolving around a single issue, they brought us diverse impacts. Each exhibition section features a distinct theme—some heavy and oppressive, others bright and comfortable. This provides us with a space to reflect upon the art and ponder the true meaning behind it. Beyond words, art reserves a space for contemplation across all fields, allowing us to rethink and understand anew.

Finally, whether you have already visited the exhibition or have yet to come, attending this symposium is well worth your time. It may just answer any lingering questions you had after viewing the exhibition. What were the fortuitous circumstances behind the exhibition brought about by the collision of these two artists? Step into their worlds alongside their works to find out.