海洋藝術展2014在赤柱

Ocean Art Walk 2014 in Stanley has begun! Over the past few months, the artists have been busy coming up with concepts and creating art that encourages people to be more aware of ocean-related issues. Violet Shum, one of our amazing artists has created ‘Reefs’. Come check it out at Stanley Promenade. Ocean Art Walk 2014 in Stanley is free and runs until 4 May. Now to speak to Violet about her work…

「海洋藝術展2014在赤柱 正式展開！過去數月，參展的藝術家一直忙於實踐環保概念，積極創作他們的藝術作品，從而提升公眾對海洋問題的關注。岑嘉慧是創作「珊瑚礁」的藝術家，快來赤柱海濱長廊欣賞這件出色的作品。「海洋藝術展2014在赤柱」所有活動費用全免，直至5月4日結束。現在先看看我們與岑嘉慧探討她今次的創作…

“These artificial coral reefs are designed to ask viewers to contemplate a time when our ocean becomes filled with plastic waste. It asks us all to consider the fate of the world’s reefs. 
藉著人造塑膠珊瑚礁，讓觀眾反思海洋被廢棄塑膠物填滿的情況，並思量世界各地上珊瑚礁的命運。”

Violet, tell us about yourself
When I was young, I loved to draw. At 14 years old, I wanted to be a designer, but did not equate that to being an artist nor it meaning that I was going to take the arts path. Young people nowadays can go through YAF to experience all sorts of arts – how lucky they are!!

請跟我們自我介紹一下吧
小時候的我很喜歡畫畫。在14歲時，我的志願是成為一位設計師，而當時並沒想過當藝術家，亦從沒想過會走上藝術這條路。現在的青少年可以透過 YAF 這類團體認識各種藝術媒介，真是多麼的幸福啊！

What were the challenges in creating this piece of art?!
This artwork was created using old advertising banners. Some were huge and heavy meaning it required a lot of strength to carry them; some were really dirty and so I had to be patient in cleaning them. It also required a lot of time to sort them according to variety and colour. Art that is created from waste and recycled materials…requires the artist to be patient and highly organised!!

在創作是次作品的過程中，有遇到甚麼困難嗎？
作品的創作物料是戶外廣告的舊橫額。有些橫額體積非常大及笨重，需要消耗相當的體力搬運；有些是很骯髒，我需要耐心地把們逐一清潔。我還要花上好些時間將它們分門別類，並有系統地將顏色近似的放在一起。運用循環再用物料製作的作品，實在需要藝術家的高度耐性與組織能力！

Do you have any tips for young people who want to create environmental/recycled art?
The materials you collect for recycled/environmental art may not always be as you expect. And so you often have to spend quite a bit of time in the preparation phase… you must remain focused and passionate!

你能給予青少年一些以環保或循環再用物料創作的貼士嗎？
運用循環再用物料進行創作，一般都並非是你預期中所想像的容易，你通常都要在準備工作上花些時間。在創作的過程中你必須加倍專注及保持你的創作熱誠，才是成功的要訣。

If you had a super power, what would it be?
If I had one superpower, I hope to fly. But not so much just from point A to point B, but to slowly sail through the sky and enjoy seeing earth from above. I’d want to see things from a different perspective – see further, see higher and see wider.

如果你有一種超能力，你希望是甚麼？
如果我可以擁有一種超能力，我希望能自由飛翔，但不是從地方一飛到地方二這麼簡單。我希望可以慢慢享受飛行過程，在天空中看回大地的感覺十分良好。我希望能從不同角度觀看事物，看得遠一點、高一點、闊一點。

If you could meet an artist for a day, who would it be?
I’ve never thought of this before! But I immediately thought of Marc Chagall. Maybe it’s because his artwork subject is always floating in the sky. His works combines the natural the imagination, but he calls his works realistic in terms of realism within oneself. It would be great to hear about his experiences directly from him.

如果你有機會與一位藝術家碰面，你希望遇上哪一位？
我從未想過這個問題…但腦海中突然想起了馬克‧夏卡爾，可能是因為他的作品主角多是半空懸浮。夏卡爾的作品多是結合想像與自然，但他卻稱自己是寫實派，是呈現主角的真實內心世界。如果可以聽聽他的創作經驗也不錯。

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More information about coral reefs
Coral reefs – the ‘tropical rain forests’ of the ocean – are home to many types of marine creatures. Did you know, due to the cold and warm water seasonal environments, Hong Kong actually has more coral species than the entire Caribbean?

Hong Kong was once a booming fishing village which was supported by local fisheries harvested by fisherman. A significant contribution to this abundance was from the numerous coral communities scattered around Hong Kong’s shorelines. These communities support a large number of commercial fish and invertebrates. However, with overfishing, pollution from commercial development, land reclamation, and dredging, Hong Kong’s coral communities have seen a decline in productivity. Without protection, not only the coral, but the marine life that depend on them are all in danger of disappearing from Hong Kong waters.

關於珊瑚礁
珊瑚礁亦稱為海洋的「熱帶雨林」， 是眾多海洋生物的棲息地。你知道由於香港的海洋性氣候而孕育的珊瑚品種原來比加勒比海還要多？

香港曾經是一條發展蓬勃的漁村，讓本地漁民的漁業收穫相當豐盛。豐盛的漁業其實來自散落在香港水域內的珊瑚群落。珊瑚群落為大量的商用魚類和無脊椎動物提供食物，當中亦包括備受食肆歡迎的星斑。然而，過度捕魚、工業污染、土地開墾及採挖使香港珊瑚群落的生產力下降。假若保護工作不足，不僅是珊瑚，甚至依賴珊瑚餵哺的海洋生物亦將面臨從香港水域消失的危機。