HKTDC 50th Anniversary “Fly Together” Art Jam

Press Release20 July 2016

HKTDC 50th Anniversary “Fly Together” Art Jam

Over 500 Children in Creative Activity led by Renowned Hong Kong Artist Simon Ma

20 July 2016 – To celebrate 50 years since the founding of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in 1966, the HKTDC is hosting a series of activities and promotions under the theme Golden Jubilee • Golden Partnerships between May and December. Today, coinciding with the opening of the Hong Kong Book Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Council staged a large-scale “Fly Together” art jamming session featuring celebrated cross-media artist Simon Ma. More than 500 youngsters participated to create artworks under the theme “Fly Together,” which reflects the notion of creativity having no boundaries.

Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said, “Through today’s art jamming activity, we hope to encourage more Hong Kong youngsters to flex their creativity. For 50 years, the HKTDC has actively promoted Hong Kong’s external trade through diverse services and promotional activities. We have been championing Hong Kong’s enterprising spirit and SME development and generating business opportunities for local SMEs. It was the Hong Kong people’s creativity and perseverance that made Hong Kong an international trading hub. I hope the youngsters participating in the activity today can carry on this enterprising spirit, and join hands with the HKTDC to create even more economic miracles for Hong Kong in the future.”

Ms Fong thanked The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong and Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service for their support in organising the art session. She also commended Cultural and Leisure Services Committee of Wan Chai District Council for its support in planning the activity. “The Wan Chai District Council and the HKTDC have been partners for a long time,” Ms Fong said. “Since 1997, the HKTDC and the Wan Chai District Council have published the Wan Chai à la Carte food map every year to promote Wan Chai’s community art and culture. The Wan Chai District Council has also been very supportive of the promotional activities of Hong Kong Book Fair’s Cultural July programmes.”

Over the years, the HKTDC has worked with a variety of local artists and designers to promote the city’s expertise in innovation and design, including today’s collaboration with artist Mr Ma. Lauding the arrangement, Ms Fong said the HKTDC is particularly honoured: “In addition to successfully bringing Hong Kong design to the world, Simon has also helped to nurture a new breed of local designers. This pay-it-forward spirit is highly commendable.”

Following today’s art jamming session, Mr Ma will combine the artworks produced by more than 500 youngsters into one mega art installation, to be unveiled at the HKTDC’s 50^th anniversary grand reception in December.

In line with the theme Golden Jubilee • Golden Partnerships, the HKTDC’s various celebratory activities aim to showcase the accomplishments of Hong Kong’s enterprises over the past five decades. The HKTDC has launched a dedicated 50^th anniversary website to chronicle rare and historic photos charting Hong Kong's economic transformation, with numerous success stories of local enterprises in different sectors from different eras. Topics covered include business succession, industrial restructuring, emerging markets, entrepreneurship and knowledge economy. The HKTDC will also share business success stories with the public, particularly with youngsters, via a variety of traditional and new media platforms, to inspire them and pass on the enterprising spirit.

Note for Editors
Simon Ma was named among the “Ten Most Outstanding Persons” by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong in 2014. His artworks have been exhibited or collected by such esteemed institutions as the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum in the United States, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing and Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai. Mr Ma has also collaborated with many of the world’s top brands, including arts organisations and museums from around the world, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Lamborghini, BVLGARI, Remy Martin1898 and Chivas 18.

50^th Anniversary Website: http://50.hktdc.com

$Description: Description: C:\Users\saho\Desktop\release photos\_GU77522.jpg$	More than 500 youngsters take part in the “Fly Together” art jam at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in celebration of the HKTDC’s 50^th anniversary. Distinguished cross-media artist Simon Ma led the activity
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From left: Lilian Law, The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong Executive Director, Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, Yolanda Ng, Cultural and Leisure Services Committee of Wan Chai District Council Chairperson and Carol Lee, Service Coordinator of Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service join youngsters for the art jam curated by artist Simon Ma (right)
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The “Fly Together” theme symbolises Hong Kong’s and the HKTDC’s entrepreneurial spirit. For 50 years, the HKTDC has helped Hong Kong’s SMEs expand into global markets
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More than 500 youngsters carefully create 3D bird designs as part of the HKTDC’s 50^th anniversary celebrations
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Ms Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, chats with art jam participants

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Nick Waters Tel: (852) 2584 4517 Email: nick.waters@hktdc.org

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.