Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2024: Balancing Act: Exploring Identity and Design at Hong Kong’s deTour 2024
Fête Chinoise Exclusive: On the Ground in Hong Kong at the Inaugural Fashion Fest
Written by Deirdre Kelly
Photography: Hong Kong Fashion Fest, deTour 2024
In a world increasingly defined by materialism, the deTour 2024 design festival at PMQ dares to challenge perceptions of value and identity. Built around the theme Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds, this year’s festival, running from November 29 to December 15, opens up new experiences through 17 thought-provoking installations that explore the deeper connections between design, self-awareness, and personal growth.
curator Adonian Chan
As visitors navigate the various levels of PMQ, a former police residential compound now transformed into one of Hong Kong’s most exciting cultural hubs, each floor offers a unique experience. The environment is alive with creativity; attendees may encounter an interactive pinball machine that generates music or discover an upside-down house that flips conventional expectations on their head. Every installation encourages playful interaction, encouraging guests to connect with their surroundings in unexpected ways.
A Place of Being by Wich Chau and Match Chen
One standout piece is “A Place of Being” by Hong Kong designers Wich Chau and Match Chen. This interactive installation features a large scale set against a vibrant blue carpet, where participants add wooden blocks in a delicate balancing act. The aim is to maintain equilibrium, prompting reflections on balance and imbalance in life. As the scale tips with too much weight, it serves as a metaphor for how easily inner peace can be disrupted—a powerful reminder of the fragility of emotional states.
Wich Chau and Match Chen
Another intriguing work is “Air-Scape” by Future Soil X Laurence Lee, which seamlessly integrates traditional penjing techniques with cutting-edge technology. This installation features soilless foam structures that cradle various plant species, showcasing how nature can coexist with modern design. Visitors are encouraged to interact with these bio-receptive forms, highlighting the potential for harmony between the natural world and urban environments.
Air-Scape by Future Soil x Laurence Lee
DIVINE by Ford Cheng and Vinzan Leung
Ford Cheng and Vinzan Leung
“DIVINE” by Ford Cheng and Vinzan Leung invites attendees to look into mirrors that dynamically shift based on audience interaction. At the press preview on November 26, Cheng noted that this piece encourages participants to see themselves reflected in new ways, prompting deeper self-reflection about identity and perspective.
Passage to the Lake by Moon Seop Seo
Following this introspective journey is “Passage to the Lake” by Moon Seop Seo, which transforms the gallery space into a serene lakeside environment. Visitors are invited to experience the calming rhythm of water through sound and visual elements that evoke tranquility amidst urban chaos. This installation further emphasizes how nature can restore inner balance.
Capturing Qi by Yoojin Chung
Beyond these installations, deTour 2024 offers over 40 workshops and 13 Creative Voice sessions, allowing participants to engage directly with local and international designers. From enamel painting to discussions on the psychological aspects of design, these activities foster a sense of community and shared exploration.
Imitative Behavior In the Footsteps of My Daughters by Naonori Yago
Being Transferred by Sandy Choi
The People's Pavilion by New Common
By encouraging attendees to question their relationship with material possessions and seek deeper connections within themselves, this festival promises an enriching experience that resonates long after the final installation is dismantled.
For more information about deTour 2024 design festival and it’s public programs, visit: https://detour.hk/2024
ISLAND LIGHTS by Island Works
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In a world increasingly defined by materialism, the deTour 2024 design festival at PMQ dares to challenge perceptions of value and identity. Built around the theme Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds, this year’s festival, running from November 29 to December 15, opens up new experiences through 17 thought-provoking installations that explore the deeper connections between design, self-awareness, and personal growth.