One of our city’s iconic trams became the canvases of the illustrious Portuguese street artist in his first solo show in Hong Kong
"Ephemera" Hong Kong, 2016
Photo courtesy of José Pando Lucas
While conventional artworks are created with colours and paintbrushes on canvas, noted Portuguese street artist Alexander Farto, aka Vhils interacts visually with the urban environment through a play of concrete, steel and stones.
In his first solo show in Hong Kong, the street artist will showcase his artistic flair on one of the city’s iconic trams, aside from his exhibition at Central ferry Pier 4.
Invited by Hong Kong Contemporary Art Foundation (HOCA), Debris, the multi-site exhibition, is inspired by the time Vhils spent as an artist-in-residence in Hong Kong. It will introduce an urban intervention on the city’s nostalgic transportation, which serves as a moving tribute to the personal hitatler_stories of the city’s inhabitants.
"Ephemera" Hong Kong, 2016
Photo courtesy of José Pando Lucas
Teaming with Hong Kong Tramways, Vhils will transform this traditional mode of transportation into a moving art object by applying layers of posters onto the façade of the carrier.
As a firm believer that art must exist not only in our galleries but out in the environment simultaneously, the artist and archeologist envisions thought-provoking portraits around different spaces in the city.
Photo courtesy of José Pando Lucas
Taking center stage in his exhibition at Pier 4 is the exploration of his practice of destructive creation in an environment characterised by the plurality of media consisting of neon and metal. A highlight, installed across an elongated exhibition space, is a video of the streets of the city.
Photo courtesy of José Pando Lucas
Drawing inspirations from Vhils’ explosive style and architectural aesthetics, Bibo’s chef Mutaro Balde is presenting a five-course dinner menu as a tribute to the Portuguese artist.
An invite-only cocktail event co-hosted by Hong Kong Tatler on March 16 will also allow art-loving diners to preview the unique art pieces, followed by an exclusive dinner where guests can meet the artist. Following the launch, the menu will be available for one month at Bibo.
“Debris” by Alexandre Farto (Vihils)
Date: March 21 – April 4
Venue: Central Pier 4