Art Site in Sheung Wan

    Such a space is situated at Sheung Wan, the periphery of the city centre, known as Para/Site.

    The only full-time paid staff member of Para/Site, Miss Zoe Li, gave a definition for the place.

    "Para/Site is a space for local independent artists to express and present their ideas or feelings in various forms of creative artworks," said she.

    Para/Site, which is located in an old district, reveals its attitude --to be humble enough to build up a close relationship with its potential audience.

    Said Miss Li: "Flexibility is huge in Para/Site. Artists can even dig up the floor if it is necessary."

    Miss Yim Wai Ying, who works in the museum of the Regional Services Department, is a long-term fan of Para/Site.

    Said she: "What I appreciate most is the variety and freedom of activities held here."

    "In public museums, the criteria in choosing exhibitions is based on certain fixed policies, such as promoting art to the general public. Institutional factors also slow down the process of the organization of events," she said.

    Para/Site has long been holding a consistent theme in their exhibitions: daily life in Hong Kong, and using the same medium--installation.

    Mr. Leung Chi Wo is one of the founding members of Para/Site.

    Being a photo-installation artist, Mr. Leung found that photography has always stimulated him to think about history.

    Said he: "I have always been attracted to local history and development. Every little element in daily life, like tables and stools, can inspire me with creative ideas."

    He also stated that Hong Kong does have its own unique culture.

    "Culture does not necessarily have to keep a high profile; on the contrary, it is represented by minor elements in daily life," explained he.

    Said Mr. Leung: "It is pointless to say whether a culture is good or bad, especially in creative art.

    "In fact, Hong Kong has an advantage in getting a rich culture as it inherits a mix and match of the Chinese and Western legacies.

    Many people are ignorant about alternative visual arts.

    One of the common perceptions is that visual arts are often too personal to be comprehended.

    "Artists always try to express the side of reality they explore. It is normal for an audience to be unable to grasp an immediate understanding," explained Mr. Leung.

    He believes that Hong Kong people have yet to learn how to gain a more in-depth appreciation of modern artworks.

    "To appreciate modern arts, one has to understand the history of the development of art," said he.

    "It has a history of more than 150 years. So there is little room to create a new type of art.

    "But the messages can be entirely different, though they are presented by the same form and language as before."

    From June 1998 to April 1999, Para/Site is holding a series of exhibitions called "Beyond the Vision". Their theme is "Creation and Criticism".

    Programmes such as video screening, creative writing, conventional painting and sculpture are included.

    "The exhibitions of different art forms are done by guest curators and artists. It is expected to generate a shower of sparks," said Miss Li.

    Mr. Leung commented, "Exchanging ideas with overseas artists helps improve the quality of local visual arts."

    Through "Transaction", one of the programmes of "Beyond the Vision", artists from all over the world can send others their artworks. Receivers are then to re-create another artwork to express their feedback.

    The idea is "to promote dialogues between different forms of art in local production and to interact with foreign artists".

    Said Mr. Leung: "The final piece of work will count a lot on how well the artists communicate."

    Discussion takes place via e-mail and the "Transaction" website serves as a virtual display centre for their works.

    However, Para/Site, like other Hong Kong independent art galleries, has to face the financial problem.

    Said Mr. Leung: "Concession has to be made if we accept the funding from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council."

    Para/Site has tried to raise funds by organizing Art Supermarket which sells local artists' artworks.

    "This can not only raise funds but also promote collection among art-lovers," said Mr. Leung.