Classic Craft, Modern Meaning: Tram #61 Exhibition by CeeKayEllo Limited

Abstract
A non-profit local arts and crafts programme that seeks to explore potential modern adaptions of the gradually fading traditional crafts in Hong Kong. 

By teaming up old masters with contemporary artists, we seek to offer new meanings to our cultural artisanal heritage and, at the same time, pass on such treasured skills to younger generations both locally and internationally.

Through our programmes, we aim to evolve and transform these fading crafts into ones that will continue to sustain into the future.

Why These Crafts?

We picked these crafts because of the sound of their cultures is related to the sound of Hong Kong.

Chinese people like to play Mahjong, not only for the entertainment, but also for the sound – the shuffling sound of Mahjong on the table, how the tiles tap on the table for a satisfying victory, and endless gossips during the game – which is very different to Western poker. To people from another culture, they might find the sound in the Mahjong games noisy. However in our culture, we value these “noise”, we reckon the louder it is, the happier and merrier, and might eventually bring more “liveliness” to the household.

We grow up with these sounds, and we reckon the young generations are as curious as Karen, to try to understand why are we comfortable with what makes us different from other cultures.

Like the crafts we selected: birdcage making and mahjong tile carving.

Crafts have a strong tie to how our society and culture is being shaped. We have the architecture and landscape surrounding us as the hardware for our city, and the culture is exactly the software that identifies Hong Kong. 

We would like to preserve all these crafts, as they hold so much intangible value to our culture and city – they are what define and differentiate our city from the others.

Part One: Artist in Residence Programme (Oct – Dec, 2019)

In our two-month Artist in Residence programme, Hong Kong’s last birdcage maker, Chan Lok-choi, and mahjong tile maker, Cheung Shun-king, shall each partner up with local artists Amanda Tong and GoHung, as well as international artists Frederic Bussiere and Jun Matsumura. 

Together, they explored, reshaped and created four art pieces that catered towards the modern behaviour of our society — ones that offer the younger generation new insights into our traditional crafts.

Part Two: Tram #61 Exhibition (Apr – June, 2020)

At CeeKayEllo (CKL), we believe that art should be accessible to anyone, anywhere.

The four site-specific artworks created by the above artists will each be displayed on a moving public tram. This marked as the very first time sculptural artworks and installations are displayed on a Hong Kong tram for public consumption instead of private use.

All the trams in Hong Kong are designed and made using fading crafts and techniques in our local tram depots, making them the perfect fit for this tribute project. By hosting the exhibition at a public transportation that is unique and significant to Hong Kong culturally and historically, we also hope to demonstrate how art could be publicly accessible, and a contribution to our society.

Ranging from an interactive ceramics installation by Amanda that captures the sound of Mahjong shuffling, to Frederic’s animation triggered by the tram movement, to Jun’s ceramic installation utilising the natural light from the upper deck window, as well as Gohung’s immersive work that allows passengers to experience the life of a caged bird within the tram…

By displaying these thoughtful artworks in our’s carefully designed tram, we hope to demonstrate the relevance of these fading crafts and skills with a creative and contemporary approach, giving modern meaning to these respectful classic crafts.

Interview Videos

Website: http://ceekayello.com/