Life (cycle) of the Hong Kong Newt
一生螈命 - 生態影像藝術展
Presented by HK Newt
05 - 25.04.2024
In 2023, the death of the whale off Sai Kung sparked concern for Hong Kong's wildlife and their habitats. Despite the perception of Hong Kong as a concrete jungle, its rich biodiversity and the lives of its wild animals often go unnoticed.
Among the countless species, the Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) takes the centre stage this time. This project is inspired by their unique life cycle, from the growth of eggs and larvae in freshwater streams to their migrations between forests and streams as adults. Witnessing their captivating competitive and mating behaviours during the breeding season is touching and at the same time exciting. However, a devastating discovery emerged during a spring survey: over a hundred Hong Kong Newts tragically perished on Fei Ngo Shan Road, abruptly ending their life cycle on the concrete road.
To raise awareness and foster conservation efforts, our exhibition team envisions a groundbreaking showcase solely dedicated to the Hong Kong Newt. Collaborating with eco-art creators, we invite you to immerse yourself in their world through captivating paintings, mesmerising photography, an insightful documentary short, and immersive installations. Here you will be able to experience the newts’ daily lives, confront the challenges they face, and join the conversation on conservation issues.
2023年,從鯨魚沉落西貢以後,令大眾都在關注香港的野生動物到底是生活在一個怎樣的空間?我們只知道香港是石屎森林,卻忽略豐富的生物多樣性,更又曾否了解過野生動物們的生活?
生活在香港的物種多不勝數,為何偏偏選中香港瘰螈 Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) ? 靈感源於香港瘰螈獨特的生命週期,從觀察中可見香港瘰螈的卵和幼體在淡水溪流中成長,到成年後會隨季節遷棲於林地與溪流之間,繁殖季節期間更可以目擊瘰螈競爭及追求配偶的行為,在自然環境裡看到香港瘰螈的生命躍動,有一種難以言喻的感動。然而在今年春天 (2023) 的一次考察之中,竟發現有上百尾香港瘰螈在飛鵝山道上被車輛輾斃,生命週期被終結於柏油路上,場面令人惋惜。
展覽團隊構想了一場屬於香港瘰螈的展覽,首個以單一物種為題的展覽,數位生態藝術創作者首次聯乘合作,以畫作、攝影、紀錄短片及裝置藝術,探索香港瘰螈非凡的生命歷程,窺探牠的日常生活,經歷牠所處的險境,並回應相關的保育議題。
展覽團隊 Exhibition team
策劃 Curation|馮漢城 Fung Hon Shing
參展藝術家 Participating Artist|
揭紫琪 Nicole Kit
馮漢城 Fung Hon Shing
郭子祈 James Kwok
黃遂心 Daphne Wong
展覽設計 Exhibition Design |關朗曦 Matthew Kwan
主視覺設計 Key Visual Design|洪忠傑 Kensa Hung