69th Board Meeting of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Held Today

The Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) held its 69th meeting today.
 

WKCDA’s Chief Executive Officer Duncan Pescod reported that the Art Park project has around 900 trees planted in its Phase 1 area, and first section of the promenade opened for enjoyment by the public before Chinese New Year. Freespace remains on track to be completed this year with the opening to the public in the first quarter of 2019.
 

Despite a slower schedule than anticipated, the M+ main works continue to move ahead at the desired quality. The first precast concrete façade panels with ceramic tiled finish will be installed in early March. The main Gallery Level of the podium deck is now fully formed to the North and will be finished to the South over the coming months. 
 

For the Lyric Theatre Complex and relevant part of the integrated basement project, the construction activity is ahead of schedule regarding the excavation and lateral supports. Tender for the superstructure works of the Lyric Theatre Complex will be issued in the next couple of weeks.
 

The overall completion of Xiqu Centre is at approximately 90% and it is currently undergoing statutory building inspections and likely to obtain the Occupation Permit in the coming weeks. The works on the proposed pedestrian subway connection between Xiqu Centre and the MTR Austin Station need to be taken forward the soonest to avoid an impact on the operation of the Xiqu Centre.
 

On the artistic side, WKCDA joins hands with Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) to promote visual culture and performing arts. Both parties co-presented Samson Young: Songs for Disaster Relief World Tour, the Hong Kong edition of the exhibition Songs for Disaster Relief conceived by multidisciplinary artist Samson Young for the 57th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2017. Featuring a series of sculptures, objects, videos, sound installations, and site-specific pieces, the exhibition offers a unique audiovisual experience that re-examines the popularity of charity singles from the 1980s. It is now open at the M+ Pavilion until 6 May 2018.
 

WKCDA and HKADC also collaborate to bring Hong Kong dance artists and contemporary dance works to the internationale tanzmesse nrw (Tanzmesse) 2018, one of the world’s largest professional gatherings dedicated to all kinds of contemporary dances formats, personalities and organisations. Held every two years, the Tanzmesse this year will take place between 29 August and 1 September in Düsseldorf, Germany. It is an excellent platform for networking that will allow WKCDA, HKADC and Hong Kong artists to foster exchange and promote the performance and creation of the Hong Kong dance sector in the international arena.  
 

Freespace Happening on 11 February attracted an attendance of around 4,100. Members also noted that the next Freespace Happening will be held on 10 and 11 March 2018 for a special two-day season finale and a whole weekend of music, literature, market stalls and creative workshops.
 

Remarks                                                                                                         

About West Kowloon Cultural District
Located on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest cultural projects in the world. The vision of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong. With a complex of theatres, performance spaces and M+, West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances and cultural events, as well as provide 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.