Things to do in Hong Kong this week

Taiwanese-American illustrator Jonathan Jay Lee showcases a series of his vibrant and tech noir-esque illustrations of Hong Kong, where he is now based. Presented on the walls of Chez Trente, a craft beer shop that doubles up as an art space, the works invite you to see our city through Lee’s comic-style lenses and witness Hong Kong’s unique mash-up of cultures and influences. 

Hong Kong’s biggest street art festival is back! Taking over the streets of Wan Chai district, HKWalls features an exciting lineup of events including live painting sessions by top local creatives and international graffiti artists, as well as a pop-up print exhibition. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates on locations and events during the festival! 

For anyone who’s been missing the presence of the colossal rubber duck, the hugely popular public art in 2013 by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, you can keep your eyes peeled for another giant float making its way to our shores. Renowned American artist and designer Kaws is bringing a 37m long, monumental inflatable sculpture of his signature character, Companion – think of it as a morbid version of Mickey Mouse – to Central Harbourfront. Reclining on its back and with Xs for eyes, the floating sculpture Kaws:Holiday, invites Hongkongers to join Companion to lie back and relax, or amuse themselves with the image of what is essentially is a gigantic dead mouse left adrift on Victoria Harbour. 

Acclaimed Chinese visual artist, film art director and costume designer Tim Yip, who is probably best known for his Oscar-winning contributions for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, presents his first large-scale solo exhibition in Hong Kong. The show, curated by Mark Holborn, is separated into 3 stages, bringing to life Yip’s multidisciplinary works along with his collaborations with some of the world’s best filmmakers. Marvel at stunning, over-the-top costumes presented in various settings, immersive film art and a robot named Lili. 

A major and influential figure within the kinetic and op art movement, Julio Le Parc is hugely interested in what art could do by inviting the participation of the public. Relying simply on basic geometric shapes, a contrast of colours and reflective mirrors, the exhibition allows viewers to move around the space to become an active participant and help create various illusions.

Looks like Kaws is a major player at this year’s Hong Kong Arts Month. Not only does he have a gigantic floating installation at Victoria Harbour, there’s also a comprehensive exhibition that delves into the artist/designer’s impressive oeuvre. Exploring a decade of Kaws’ 37 most iconic works including life-sized design figures, paintings, sculptures as well as pieces never before exhibited in Hong Kong, the exhibition gives you a chance to meet some of Kaws’ most iconic characters such as Companion and Chum. 

Probably known to most Hongkongers as the artist behind the massive, colourful building mural in Sham Shui Po, Okuda San Miguel makes a return to shore for his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong (and the region). Showcasing San Miguel’s distinctive style of geometric patterns emboldened with intense colours, the collection sees paintings and sculptures depicting a wide variety of animals from his rainbow universe. Make sure to look out for a very special KMB, which San Miguel will be painting it over to create a moving mural street art around Hong Kong. 

A powerful group exhibition that investigates the underlying structural violence in issues related to the body, gender, sexuality, identity and behaviour, see how participating artists create works across a range of medium to demonstrate the symbolic castration of women and by reclaiming the abilities fundamentally denied them. From giant models of breasts to crass-like animations, the show promises to have audiences rethink gender and violence.   

Luke Jerram's giant moon installation that hung up in Lee Tung Avenue back in 2007 captivated Hongkongers and had us howling for more. Upping the game this Arts Month, Jerram brings with him his latest touring artwork, Gaia, a breathtaking seven-meter wide installation of the Earth which features 120dpi detailed Nasa imagery of our planet. That’s not all, the Earth will be self-rotating as well (about 360 times faster than the real thing). Much like the astronaut looking down from space, you'll feel how small you are yet hopefully walk away with a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the planet.