現場灣仔 - 國際藝術家交流工作坊(香港)

The AiR Association Limited (AiR)將會在2005年4月邀請十二位海外及十二位本地藝術家，參與這次國際藝術家交流工作坊。這兩星期工作坊以灣仔舊區作舞台，不同文化背景的藝術家將聚首一起，探索新的意念、擴展創作的疆域。工作坊既是文化交流的機會，也是創意即興互碰的實驗室。我們將設有工作室開放時間，讓公眾與藝術家傾談，而整個工作坊的過程及成果，將於五月初為期三個星期的展覽中展出。

國際藝術家交流工作坊不單是藝術創作，也是社區經驗的實驗。我們鼓勵參與藝術家回應社區獨特的歷史及文化，利用區內的各樣資源，包括各樣民間智慧及工人技術等，融入他們的創作。

《現場灣仔》的合辦單位聖雅各福群會將會擔當藝術家與社區之間的橋樑，協助籌辦外展活動，串連藝術家、居民及學生結成三邊伙伴，令參加者更易了解社區、體驗生活及創作，同時揉合藝術家和社區的創意，發揮社區資源的可能性。主辦者將與區內的店鋪及食肆等合作組織主題文化旅遊，以發展一個集合藝術、社區更新及社群經濟的創意計劃。

國際藝術家交流工作坊(香港)屬於英國Triangle Arts Trust發起的一個國際性的藝術家工作坊聯網的成員。工作坊聯網創始於1982年，已於全球協助舉辦了超過90次工作坊，參與藝術家達2,500人。今年首次於香港舉辦，The AiR Association Limited希望能夠發展一個創新的、結合藝術家進駐及都市更新的計劃，並發展為持續性的運作模式，拓展到其他地區舉行。

 RE: Wanchai

Hong Kong International Artists’ Workshop

In April 2005, twelve overseas artists and twelve Hong Kong artists will be invited to take part in Hong Kong International Artists’ Workshop (HKIAW), hosted by The AiR Association Limited in the heart of old Wan Chai. In the two-week’s workshop, the artists from diverse cultural background will engage each other to explore new ideas and expand the boundaries of their practice. The workshop will serve as a stimulating platform for cultural exchange and a laboratory for intensive art jamming. The process and result will be displayed in the three-week public exhibition that follows.

Not only HKIAW is an experimentation in art practice, but also one in social process. The project engages itself in the livelihood of the district. The participating artists are encouraged to respond to the specific history and aura of Wan Chai, and to employ local resources, such as the knowledge of the Wan Chai population and craftsmen. To facilitate this, HKIAW works with St. James’ Settlement, the project co-presenter, in a number of outreach activities. One of these is a “buddy system” among the artists, local community and students, through which a three-way partnership and interface will be formed. The organizers will also involve local shops and restaurants in a cultural tour programme. HKIAW is unique in its choice of venue - in Wanchai - an area at a time of undergoing mass urban re-generation, while it's operation ties up the local socio-economic system.

The Hong Kong International Artists Workshop will be part of the international network of workshops developed by the Triangle Arts Trust. Started in 1982 in UK, the Workshop network has hosted 90 events worldwide with 2,500 artists taking part. This is the first time that it is held in Hong Kong. AiR hopes that the pilot project can establish an experimental and repeatable model of artist-in-residence programme and urban re-generation.

合辦 Co-presenters