With the Lunar New Year fast approaching, immerse yourself in the magnificent InnerGlow 2024, a 3D architectural mapping projection performance, at Tai Kwun.
"This is the third time we are bringing back the signature event since the first season in September 2022," said Linda Yip, Tai Kwun's head of performing arts, adding the program is under collaboration with The Electric Canvas, a Sydney-based showstopper renowned for its innovative architectural projection mapping.
In the first two seasons, Tai Kwun has seen the exterior walls of the buildings in the historical Parade Ground adorned with large-scale projection mapping. This time round, the vibrant hues of InnerGlow 2024 will extend to the Prison Yard.
"This year's program is subtitled Dragon Tales, which will feature the image of the Chinese Zodiac as we enter the Year of Dragon," said Ying Kwok, Tai Kwun's senior curator.
The projection begins every evening at 6.30 and continues until 9pm, with each session lasting half an hour.
When the blue rays of the night sky befall the city, one can feel the sensation of being in a mythical painting, with mountains, rivers flowing, and vivid mythical creatures such as dragons, fish, and dragonflies passing by.
Dazzling lights and colors create various shapes on the bricks, windows, arches, and around Tai Kwun's white building. The figures sometimes depict lively dragons braving giant waves, while at other times, the lights showcase images of Hong Kong's traditional Tai Hang Fire Dragon performance.
The projection also incorporates a blend of traditional Cantonese narrative singing and contemporary music.
One part of the show features a giant scroll painting unfolding before the audience in an immersive experience that traverses through time.
On one side of the Parade Ground, an interactive installation will allow participants to design dynamic animated patterns on the display of the installation and have their creations projected onto the mango trees planted within Tai Kwun.
Starting at 6.45pm in another corner of Tai Kwun, on the walls of the Prison Yard, a series of light projection artworks created by five groups of student artists, titled InnerGlow Searchlight, are showcased.
"These young artists include Hong Kong university students and graduates who have studied locally or abroad, as well as international students studying at universities in Hong Kong," said Kwok.
"The works are under Tai Kwun's mentorship program to let students specializing in art, creative media, film, and design have the extraordinary opportunity to showcase their talent and ideas."
Through the five projection artworks - Ah Lung's Journey, Bright and Beautiful Things, Jailbreak, Jailhouse Follies and Metamorphosis of Chaos - the audience can witness the daily lives of prisoners being depicted humorously and interestingly, which evokes a feeling as if real prisoners are climbing the walls.
In a nod to the festive period, there will also be playful animations of dragons enjoying xiaolongbao projected on the walls.
"Students need to think about the architecture and imagine the show in this giant theater," said Peter Milne, managing director and projection designer of The Electric Canvas.
"There are pillars, there are windows, there are archwaysYou need to make the connection with the surroundings."
InnerGlow 2024 will be on show until February 14 at Tai Kwun's Parade Ground and Prison Yard.
