The amazing spiral staircase
Art Gallery
Queer Reads library for Asian Artists
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
April 26, 2023
Happy humpday #WednesdayWalk community and to its founder 
When I explored Tai Kwun in September last year, I didn't have a chance to explore the JC Contemporary, until February this year since I wanted to see something that can be found in the place. You could tell it is an art gallery just by its name.
JC Contemporary is just one of the two new buildings at Tai Kwun Heritage Site which was built with the help of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, where it got its name JC. This organization also sponsored the revitalization of the place in partnership with the government in 2008. Its brick wall patterns, by the way, were inspired by the historic site.
The Contemporary is Tai Kwun's non-profit visual art program consisting of different artworks by different renowned artists. There are also different art exhibitions and even educational public programs held in Contemporary yearly.
At the Reception are different Digital Visual Art displayed on the walls. There are art-related books for visitors to read for free.
Before visiting the art gallery, one of the main attractions that visitors must see is the popular JC Contemporary spiral staircase. So visitors simply visit the place mostly because of this staircase, then followed by the art gallery. I, myself, was curious about this viral staircase and the main reason why I visited the art gallery. It is best to take shots with people climbing up or down the stairs. But the candid ones are great as well.
(This spiral staircase was my entry to Monomad Challenge, but different photos.)
The main art gallery is located on the first and third floors. Meanwhile, on the second floor is the art books library. There are Three Chapters of the art exhibition or what they called Myth Makers - Spectrosynthesis III in this gallery.
Located on the first floor are two of them, chapters 1 and 2.
(Chapter 1) Queer Mythologies: On And Off The Stage
According to the information posted on the wall, this chapter is about stories that revolve around same-sex love, gender ambiguity, or cross-dressing based on Queer Mythology. This also celebrates the non-binary composite bodies of deities, spirits, and humans.
Inside this gallery are different artworks showing mythological stories of same-sex romantic affection and sexuality, and divine actions that result in changing gender.
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This room has video installations that play a movie about LGBTQ to raise awareness among visitors.
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These are artworks of Alfonso Osorio, a Filipino-American artist. These illustrate his guilt of Spanish-Filipino Catholicism in visual language, and his battle of finding his queer sexuality.
I was surprised upon seeing familiar names of personalities and places in the Philippines in this artwork. The meaning is uncertain and I failed to get the information about this artwork, but it seems to illustrate corruption, economic and social injustice, and gender inequality. Names of former presidents of the Philippines are also included here, especially those involved in corruption.
Meanwhile, at the staircase going up to the second floor is this digital visual art showing, probably a Filipino Gay, dancing with Gay Lingos popping out. Ate Girl, Pak! Sissy, Beki, are some of the terms used by gays in our country which are widely used by all gender nowadays as expressions. Ate girl means older sister is used when calling any girl who seems to be older than them, even the younger ones, lol. Beki means gay. Sissy for sister. Pak! is just funny slang that could be used to express confidence.
(Chapter 2) Body Politics: Criminalisation, Control, and Counter Narratives
This chapter exhibits violence in history by examining issues of body politics, power, and criminalization. Back in the day, homosexuality was illegal in Hong Kong and was only decriminalized in 1991. Most of the displays here contain nude art, so I only took a few. Scroll up and you'll see some sensitive artwork taken from this room.
This room contains more sensitive artwork and video installations about sexual desire, forbidden love, searching for sex partners, and others that transpire in the LGBTQ community. Thus, only adults are allowed to enter this place.
Not to disrespect, but this man was seriously watching the video about same-sex. So I presumed he was part of the community.
There were videos about sexual desire and ways of releasing sexual tension using different methods.
I couldn't stand watching those videos so I stepped out of the room shortly.
Queer Reads
Queer Reads occupies the second floor of JC Contemporary. It's a book library that contains mostly art-related books by different Asian artists. Visitors are free to sit down and read any of the books. This was also opened as a search for learning and research.
It was also on this floor where I discovered Between Coffee and I unexpectedly dined in. So visitors could sip a cup of hot coffee while reading books in Queer Reads.
(Chapter 3) Queer Futurities: Dematerialization, Transformation, and New Vocabularies
This gallery presents darkness which brings freedom, self-determination, and impulsiveness. The space is darkened to remove the body from sight and open up the possibility of new meanings and horizons.
The first thing I noticed was the video installations on the ceilings that cast reflections on the floor. It shows underwater and forest wildlife.
Meanwhile, this artwork consists of bones from different animals painted in white. I was uncertain though if they were real or just sculptures.
On the left facade was a big video projection that shows a scary person covered with mud. I almost tripped on the wire connected to this installation as it was too dark inside. Only lights from displays give light in the dark room.
At the end corner is what they called PP, which has a light and sound installation by a local artist, Samson Young. The gallery shows collective memories of the LGBTQ community and nightlife.
The walls have installed mirrors that create multiple reflections. The sound became so deafening as I entered the room, especially when a heavy sound of bass was played. There were projection installations showing artwork of Samson.
My tour ended here as the gallery was already closing. This Contemporary, by the way, has up to eight different art exhibitions each year in collaboration with different art organizations. And this art exhibition, the Myth Makers - Spectrosynthesis III ended just on the 10th of this month. I'm a person who fully supports LGBTQ. I have a gay brother and a bisexual sister at home. I have gay and lesbians cousins, uncles, and friends. This wasn't just an art exhibition, but to raise awareness to the public that regardless of gender, we all are equal. And at some point, we all desire love, care, and let's be straightforward, many desire for sex as well. It's nature in humans.
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