Are you weary of Hong Kong’s frenetic pace of life? How about slowing down and taking a moment to chill and unwind?
Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle can often leave residents feeling harried and overwhelmed. However, a new series of artistic installations at THE SOUTHSIDE, the sleek shopping mall at Wong Chuk Hang station, aims to offer a soothing respite from the city’s fast and furious tempo.
From July 9 onwards, this spanking new MTR shopping mall has teamed up with renowned artist HAN Ray to present ‘THE SOUTHSIDE Chill Party’ - an immersive artistic extravaganza that promises to transport visitors into a realm of effortless cool.
Hailing from Shenyang, Han is a multi-talented creative force, recognized for his architecture, fashion designs, and digital artworks that radiate a delightful sense of whimsy. With exhibitions spanning Italy, Beijing, and Shanghai, Han now makes his highly anticipated debut in Hong Kong, drawing inspiration from the Southern District’s laid-back allure.
At the heart of ‘THE SOUTHSIDE Chill Party’ is the youthful and spirited ‘Chill Man’ - a character that embodies the mall’s ethos of embracing life’s simple pleasures. Across a dazzling array of art installations, Han seamlessly blends the district’s distinct personality with the universal joys of everyday living, inviting visitors to bask in the Southern District’s easy-going charm.
When asked about the creative process behind these ‘Chill Man’ figures, Han replied, “I wanted to infuse some elements of summer into these 3D figures, which is why I’ve used a range of vibrant, fruit-like colors to create a joyful and energetic atmosphere of summer fun.”
Explaining the design concept of the ‘Chill Man’ character, Han shared that the intent was to create a figure representing the most ordinary segment of people. That’s why the Chill Man was intentionally given a non-specific blue skin tone, no defined gender or physique, and an overall unremarkable appearance.
“When I started to turn 30, I became anxious because I blamed myself for not having achieved more by that age. However, gradually, I realized that being an ordinary person is not a problem. We ordinary individuals are also part of the strong force driving the world forward. So being an unremarkable person is not a bad thing,” Han explained.
He also believes that a person does not necessarily need to be good-looking or have a distinctive personality to lead a meaningful, happy life. This realization allowed Han to learn to stay chill and live in the moment - a sentiment that is deeply reflected in his artwork.
“I hope people in the shopping mall can also be influenced by the chillness of the artwork, and that the vibrant colors can brighten their day,” he shared.
To further elevate the summer festivities, THE SOUTHSIDE will host a series of sizzling evening concerts from July to August. Beloved local artists will take the stage, serenading the crowd with their captivating tunes and creating an unforgettably chill atmosphere.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. As the world’s top athletes converge in Paris for the quadrennial international sports event, THE SOUTHSIDE’s LG Atrium will broadcast the thrilling competitions live, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the electrifying sports spirit and cheer on Hong Kong’s own champions.
So this summer, why not escape the heat and indulge in the ultimate chill experience at this new shopping mall?
