Re-Imagine Hong Kong’s Nature — A Sensory Exploration

Event overview

A journey that engages all senses — vision, touch, scent, sound, and taste — offering a truly immersive experience.

Visitors
Artworks
Local Artists
Art Exhibition Guests

Five Senses

Begin with a visual prologue at the world’s edge – then gaze inward to engage with your visual sense and marvel at the beauty of Hong Kong’s natural environment. In a minimalist space, you are encouraged to reflect on the profound dialogue between the vast, untouched wilderness and the subtle nature thriving within our urban fabric.

  • The Skies, Earth and Us are One | Ariel Yau
  • Mundane | Alexis Ng
  • Spoonbills & Incardnito | Sabrina Lerskiatiphanich, Kenneth Ng, Kailee Poon

As the journey unfolds, reach out and connect with a monumental piece of our local history – the fin whale skeleton. Through interacting with the textured scale of the majestic creature, feel the tangible, fragile impact of our existence on the natural world.

  • Hong Kong’s Whale – A Visitor From 1955 | SWIMS, in collaboration with 2041 Hong Kong

Surrounded by a spectrum of scents – from the familiar urban breath to the unexpected whispers of wilderness – inhale the essence of Hong Kong. Get transported to the city’s many corners to awaken powerful long-lost memories.

  • City Dwellers | Jun Fan

Lean in and attune your ear to the layered symphony of Hong Kong. Discover the often-ignored melodies of nature that persist and weave through the hum of our daily lives, and prompt new awareness for our city’s acoustics.

  • SOUND AND THE CITY | 2041 Hong Kong

Complete your journey with a sip of the authentic flavour of Hong Kong’s terroir. Savour handcrafted beverages made from locally sourced ingredients. A delicious and tangible proof of homegrown sustainability.

  • The Art of the Homegrown | LoCoFARMS
READ THE EXHIBITION BROCHURE

ARTWORK SPOTLIGHT

A colorful underwater scene featuring a whimsical character with light hair, surrounded by various shapes and patterns in shades of blue, green, and orange.

The Skies, Earth and Us are One | Ariel Yau

SIGHT

Single-channel video (colour, silent)

A mixture of freshwater and marine species from Hong Kong swims in a loop in the background of this art piece as a figure floats above. Neon lights,
symbolising the effects of urbanisation and industrialisation, begin to fade, yet the shadows of artificial constructs like bridges and towers remain. Even with humanity’s downfall — evidenced by the dimming neon lights — the ruins of our legacy will endure with a lasting impact on our ecosystem.

Mundane | Alexis Ng

SIGHT

Digital art printed on paper

A whimsical and surreal scene unfolds in a Cha Chaan Teng, where plants and animals commonly seen in Hong Kong are reimagined as diners in the iconic local eatery. The scene highlights the deep connections between nature and urban life, showcasing how these elements are intricately woven into the city’s fabric, visible in every corner.

Spoonbills | Sabrina Lerskiatiphanich, Kenneth Ng, Kailee Poon

SIGHT

Acrylic on canvas

There are over 3,300 plants and 5,000 animal species thriving across Hong Kong’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marin ecosystems. Yet, more than 25% of these inhabitants now teeter on the brink of extinction due to rapid urbanisation and illegal poaching. While conservation is often viewed as a costly expense, the economic value of a thriving ecosystem is frequently overlooked. This intrinsic worth is illustrated by Hong Kong banknotes, which are subtly embedded with depictions of iconic local species.

Incardnito | Sabrina Lerskiatiphanich, Kenneth Ng, Kailee Poon

SIGHT

Printed paper cards, card vending machine

This work invites you to see the familiar with fresh eyes, unveiling the intriguing stories and cultural significance of the ordinary sights that fill our streets. Rewaken your childlike curiosity and nurture a lasting wonder for the marvels that surround us. Take a moment to pause, explore, and celebrate the beauty of your own backyard.

Whale bones replica

Hong Kong’s Whale – A Visitor From 1955 | SWIMS, in collaboration with 2041 Hong Kong

TOUCH

3D-printed sculpture, reclaimed wood, paint, archival prints

This installation features a half-scale, 3D-printed replica of the fin whale skeleton destroyed at SWIMS during Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. Displayed as a vertical dissection resting on a wooden table, it is paired with a reimagined full whale body.

Archival photos and accounts from 1955 detail the whale’s unexpected arrival, public dissection, and the local fishing community’s “ghost fish” ceremony. These are contrasted with visuals of a Bryde’s whale stranding in 2023. The work honours this whale’s memory and calls for mindful stewardship of marine life in urban waters, promoting respectful coexistence.

City Dwellers | Jun Fan

SCENT

Paper, essential oils, wood diffuser

What is in the air of Hong Kong? The wildlife around us breathes a complex mixture of city smoke, ocean salt, damp mountain air after rainfall, and the fragrances of native plants. These scenes replicate that atmosphere, inviting you to experience it firsthand. Conservation efforts often prioritise which species are deemed worthy of care and protection, without considering those labeled as pests and those left to fend for themselves. What responsibility do we hold for the life that adapts and survives among us?

SOUND AND THE CITY | 2041 Hong Kong

SOUND

Sound, cardboard, stickers, found items

Welcome. Rest your eyes, and let Hong Kong flood in. The familiar roar of traffic, the distant chatter of wildlife — all interwoven through concrete canyons. Listen to what the city shouts, and to what it whispers. What does Hong Kong truly sound like? Which notes are drifting into silence, and which still fight to be heard? A testament to the city’s unique soundprint, this piece challenges you to listen beyond the urban grind. Discover the Hong Kong that exists in the space between nature and metropolis. You are invited to redefine how you sense and savour the city — and perhaps, how you understand your place within it.

The Art of the Homegrown | LoCoFARMS

TASTE

This tasting experience celebrates Hong Kong’s agricultural heritage through handcrafted beverages featuring ingredients sourced directly from local farms, including the historic 400-year-old Hakka village of Lai Chi Wo. LoCoFARMS presents signature drinks including fig leaves and lemon flavoured winter melon syrup; lemon drink with shiso and lemongrass; and ginger sparkling americano. Each beverage reflects a collaboration between farmers and artisans, transforming traditional crops into innovative flavours that honour both past and present.