A-Maze-ing free harbor event set to kick off

Eunice Lam

The Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space is set to undergo a transformation into an immersive arts space featuring five themed mazes.

The inaugural project, called "A-Maze-ing Harbourfront," is scheduled to kick off on March 15, offering free admission to visitors for a period of 10 days.

This unique event combines elements of creative art, entertainment, Instagrammable spots and adventure within the five mazes.

The design team responsible for the mazes consists of a diverse group of cross-disciplinary artists and creative professionals. Notably, Grace Au Shui-lin, a creative cultural project curator, is part of the team alongside architect Philip Fung Kwok-on, Hong Kong-based Thai landscape designer Kan Srisawat and designer Calix Wong.

The mazes are centered around five distinct themes. The Time maze focuses on light and shadow, while the Infinite Mirror maze is designed with mesmerizing mirror reflections.

The Lost in the Woods maze incorporates bamboo elements to create an immersive forest experience. The Light Box Maze immerses individuals in a series of unique light boxes, and the Air Maze is specially designed for highly energetic children.

Au, speaking to The Standard, shared her team's vision of creating a park-themed environment. "The aim is to allow visitors to not only enjoy the beautiful Victoria Harbour scenery but also to actively engage with the maze installations, providing them with an immersive experience," she said.

Au also said her desire to move beyond passive usage of the facilities and instead create a platform where visitors become active participants.

Creating mazes in an outdoor venue presents its own set of challenges, such as material selection and weather considerations. Au said "that her team had to strike a balance between safety and the interestingness of the installation."

Since the mazes are temporary, and driving piles into the ground is not possible, the materials chosen needed to be wind-proof and non-slippery to accommodate all visitors.

Au gives an example of the Infinite Mirror Maze, which was initially designed with mirrors throughout. However, considering the possibility of accidental exposure for visitors wearing dresses, the bottom part of the maze was changed to frosted glass. "This adjustment illustrates the team's commitment to ensuring a safe yet captivating experience."

When asked about which maze is a must-visit attraction, Au recommends exploring all five mazes. She believes that visiting all the mazes will offer a comprehensive immersive experience and help visitors gain a fresh perspective on the city.

Au herself designed the Light Box Maze, a Rubik's Cube-inspired installation that utilizes dynamic and colorful lighting effects to create vibrant and ever-changing light patterns. Within this maze, visitors will have a mission to find a hidden heart within the Rubik's Cube, prompting them to reflect on the concept of "Home is where the heart is."

Au acknowledges the importance of storytelling when curating the event. She hopes to cater to both refined and popular tastes, encouraging visitors not only to enjoy the mazes but also to view the installations as pieces of artwork, which may evoke entirely different interpretations.

The "A-Maze-ing Harbourfront" event will be open to the public free of charge from 7am to 11pm daily from March 15 until March 24. Au expects the event to attract a diverse range of visitors, including families, young couples, and even commuters who wish to unwind after work.

It is the first event to be held at the 13,300-square-meter Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space, which is next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.