An innovative children's tech-art camp featuring a Chinese calligraphy experience opened on Wednesday and will run through Sunday, at the Yuen Long Theatre.
Titled "Children's Creative Arts Tech Camp: The Monkey King - Havoc in the Calligraphy Metaverse", the event is being hosted by Zuni Icosahedron, an experimental theatre company based in the city, as part of a Hong Kong Jockey Club initiative - Learning Chinese Culture through Arts Tech Theatre Programme 2024 – Calligraphy.
The camp makes an introduction to Chinese characters and the various script styles and it is possible to gain insights into nuances of practicing calligraphy using combinations strokes in characters.
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This Jockey Club tech-art event is aimed at helping the younger generation understand the basics of Chinese heritage and culture. Calligraphy is one of the core components, Mathias Woo, the artistic director, told China Daily.
"I created four separate spaces throughout the immersive experience — the first emphasizes audio technology to introduce the construction and structure of Chinese characters. The second space involves visual projection to carry on different scripts in Chinese Calligraphy. We also use live music to highlight the different rhythms for various script styles. In the third space, we built a huge inkstone pool that is filled with actual Chinese ink so that its particular smell will be perceived by the audience. Upon arriving at the final space, participants will get a chance to practice their writing skills with a calligraphy master," Woo explained.
The elements that make live arts unique – the sense of immediacy, immersion, and personal interaction with the art – can sometimes be challenged by the realism of participatory digital entertainment (videos, games). "We want younger generations to experience theater in real time, in real space, and to understand our heritage," he added.
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When talking about Hong Kong's role in promoting Chinese culture, Woo said, as Hong Kong has a long history of practicing Chinese culture and fairly good access to technology, it should be at the forefront of experimenting with and facilitating Chinese culture and heritage, and introducing it to the world.
Achievement shared
The renowned Hong Kong calligraphy master Chui Pui-chee serves as the calligraphy consultant in the camp and shares his insights into practicing the art with the young members.
The character “永” (yǒng), which comprises eight basic strokes in Chinese calligraphy, thus becomes a key point for practitioners to master when learning the art, Chui told the audience during the camp.
Since ancient times, Chinese people have had a strong desire to write beautiful characters. "It is not only accessible to those who can read Chinese but also to anyone who views them and comes into contact with their rhythm, movement, and flow," Chui told China Daily.
"I believe no matter how high one's achievements are, if those achievements are not well shared with others, the significance of them can be very limited," Chui said. "This event is very meaningful because I could share art and experience with many young people."
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A mother, interviewed by the event organizer after experiencing the camp, said she was most happy that there was actually a calligraphy master who could teach her child on the spot. "I think it's going to make a big impression on him," she said.
Contact the writer at irismuk@chinadailyhk.com
