DesignInspire opens on Thursday
Enjoy a pre-tour and find the best spots to view this unique design experience
3 December 2024 – DesignInspire, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), co-organised by Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), will be held on 5-7 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Under the theme of "Design for a Better Tomorrow", the exhibition will be fully open with complimentary admission for design industry players and the public throughout the three-day event. This year's exhibition marks a milestone collaboration with Paris' renowned interior design trade fair creator Maison&Objet, attracting over 200 exhibitors from Mainland China, Czech Republic, France, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong.
During the fair, several sharing sessions and workshops will be held along side different exhibition areas to enhance the profile of local design and showcase Hong Kong’s role in establishing a platform for local, Mainland, and overseas designers and brands, as well as industry leaders and players. It also aims to enhance collaboration between Hong Kong's design industries and the rest of the world, and to expedite Hong Kong's evolution into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
A pre-tour will be held tomorrow (4 December), allowing the press to get an advance look at the work and services of selected designers. They can also film and experience several unique design installations, photo spots, and immersive art installations displayed for the first time in Hong Kong. These include iconic calligraphy on the front of a full-scale red minibus, neon lights with Hong Kong’s unique cultural and creative IP, and bustling downtown scenes recreated by light effects.
Local designers' works showcase and interactive art tech zone
This year's exhibition gathers local designers whose work demonstrates how Hong Kong's design culture has both an international vision and regional characteristics. The Future Archive, curated by cross-disciplinary artist Chilai Howard, features seven exceptional creative partnerships, including renowned graphic design master and ink painter Kan Tai-keung with printmaker and tattoo artist Li Ning; international architectural designer Steve Leung with new media artist Chris Cheung / XPLOR; ceramic artist Johnson Tsang with emerging Hong Kong artist Kila Cheung; watch designer Joe Kwan with sculptural visual effects designer Ram2; wood carving master Siu Ping-keung with woodwork craftsman Chow Kin-lung; master minibus sign writer Mak Kam-sang with renowned hand-painted signage artist Katol; and neon light craftsman Wu Chi-kai with woodwork art brand Start From Zero.
The exhibition also features a dedicated art tech interactive zone, presenting creations by renowned local watercolour artist Pei Chung and real-time visual artist moon.noon, including moon.noon's presentation of Hong Kong's characteristic footbridges and pedestrian tunnels, and an interactive art installation incorporating Hong Kong street light elements.
Maison&Objet Design Factory Presents Sino-French Craftsmanship Exchange
Maison&Objet Design Factory is composed of five areas, and each interprets "conscious design" from its own unique perspective. “Nature, the Muse!” curated by internationally renowned Chinese contemporary designer Jiang Qiong Er, draws together 12 prestigious French artisans and nine Chinese master craftsmen, in a demonstration of exceptional craftsmanship from both Eastern and Western perspectives. The Hong Kong Design On Stage zone will showcase eight local design teams that won the Hong Kong section competition at Paris' Maison&Objet, demonstrating the remarkable strength of local design.
We invite you or your representatives to attend the pre-tour and other fair’s highlights. Details as follows:
Pre-tour
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Date: |
4 December (Wednesday) |
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Time: |
3pm – 4:30pm |
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Assembly Time & Venue: Language: |
2:30pm at HKTDC Media Centre, G/F, HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai Cantonese (inquiries in Mandarin or English are welcome) |
DesignInspire Cocktail Reception
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Date: |
5 December (Thursday) |
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Time: |
5:30pm - 7:00pm |
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Venue: Officiating guests: |
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3DE InnoTalks Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism |
Maison&Objet Design Factory & Hong Kong Design On Stage media tour
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Date: |
5 December (Thursday) |
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Time: |
11:00am - 2:00pm |
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Assembly Venue: Language: |
Press Registration Counter, Hall 3D Concourse, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre English with on-site Cantonese translation if necessary |
If you would like to pre-register for the Maison&Objet Design Factory & Hong Kong Design On Stage media tour, please contact Marks Xu / Lucy Lu (Email: marks@sinclaircomms.com / lucy@sinclaircomms.com | M: (852) 68781753 / (852) 54949891)
DesignInspire schedule
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Date: |
5-7 December (Thursday to Saturday) |
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Venue: |
Hall 3D-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai |
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Opening hours: |
5-6 December (Thursday to Friday) |
9:30am – 7:30pm |
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7 December (Saturday) |
9:30am – 7:00pm |
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Press Registration Counter: |
Hall 3D Concourse, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Registration begins 30 minutes before fair opening |
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Media Centre: |
Expo Drive Entrance, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre |
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Websites: |
DesignInspire: https://designinspire.hktdc.com/en/ |
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Note to editors: |
Members of the press should bring their name cards and press passes to Press Registration Counter (Hall 3D Concourse, HKCEC) to receive press badges. |
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The main exhibits on display at the pre-tour include:
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The Future Archive, curated by Chilai Howard, features seven exceptional creative partnerships.
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Minibus sign master writer Mak Kam-sang with renowned hand-painted signage artist Katol showcasing their iconic calligraphic artistry on a life-sized red minibus
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Kan Tai-keung sketches of works
Li Ning sketches of works
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International architectural designer Steve Leung with new media artist Chris Cheung / XPLOR project photos
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Causeway Bay's Yee Wo Street Bridge in moon.noon’s immersive art installation “Echoes of Urban Pulse” |
Pei Chung's exhibit Dazzling Dreams incorporate Hong Kong's most iconic urban symbols with interactive elements, allowing visitors to experience the creative fusion of watercolour art and digital technology. |
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3VdgqYt
HKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
Media enquiries
For enquiries, please contact:
Raconteur PR:
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Betsy Tse |
Tel: (852) 9742 7338 |
Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk |
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Molisa Lau |
Tel: (852) 6187 7786 |
Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk |
HKTDC Communication and Public Affairs Department:
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Snowy Chan |
Tel: (852) 2584 4525 |
Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org |
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Johnny Tsui |
Tel: (852) 2584 4395 |
Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.org |