Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong artist in presenting art installation at Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported Hong Kong artist Wong Chi-yung in presenting his art installation, “The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition”, at the Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia, from September 17 to 19 (Pula time).
Speaking at the opening ceremony on September 17, Assistant Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Paul Leung highlighted that Hong Kong’s arts and cultural landscape has continued to flourish in recent years, with the city firmly established as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges. He was very pleased that the presentation of “The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition” in Pula showcased the creativity of Hong Kong’s artists and enhanced the city’s influence in the European arts arena.
Mr Leung said, “Over the past decade, Hong Kong’s art market has experienced significant growth, and we spare no effort in building Hong Kong into a world-leading arts trading hub. With our world-class cultural infrastructure and vibrant creative talent, Hong Kong is a unique place in the world where arts can flourish.”
He concluded by inviting the audience to take part in the annual festival, Art March Hong Kong, which brings together the global art community, including leading art fairs, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, collectors and creative practitioners from around the world, with events taking place across the city every March.
“The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition” was a site-responsive art installation that transformed according to its environment. In daylight, the structure stood as a conceptual light tower, whereas at night, it transitioned into a luminous installation. Through a choreography of light and darkness, it created a slow, flowing rhythm inspired by water, inviting viewers to reflect on the delicate interplay between human presence, urban space, and the natural world. For the Croatia edition, Wong drew inspiration from the Adriatic Sea, incorporating its currents, stillness and reflective surface into the artistic projections. The work thus responded to the maritime environment and cultural character of Pula.
The Visualia Festival of Light, founded in 2013, is Croatia’s leading new media art event, using light to connect ancient heritage with modern technology. Held annually in Pula, it transforms Roman historical ruins and modern industrial sites into an open-air gallery, presenting various installations and performances which attract over 15 000 visitors every year.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported Hong Kong artist Wong Chi-yung in presenting his art installation “The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition”, at the Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia, from September 17 to 19 (Pula time). Photo shows the art installation transitioning into a luminous installation at night, displaying numerous colours and patterns. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported Hong Kong artist Wong Chi-yung in presenting his art installation “The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition”, at the Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia, from September 17 to 19 (Pula time). Photo shows the art installation transitioning into a luminous installation at night, displaying numerous colours and patterns. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported Hong Kong installation artist Wong Chi-yung in presenting his art installation, “The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition”, at the Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia, from September 17 to 19 (Pula time). Photo shows Wong and his art installation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DSD project awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize
The Hong Kong Seaside and Riverside Enhancement Scheme – Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and Upgrading of Sewage Facilities in Kwun Tong, a project by the Drainage Services Department (DSD), has been awarded the 21st Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize (Municipal Infrastructure Category). The prize recognises the project’s outstanding performance in engineering technology innovation and the application of technology, as well as in driving high-quality industry development.
Attending the prize presentation ceremony held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 22), the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said that the project is the DSD’s first comprehensive municipal initiative integrating flood protection, sewage treatment and waterfront enhancement. The prize is a recognition of the team’s efforts in delivering people-oriented and river-focused infrastructure projects, and highlights the achievements of the Hong Kong engineering sector in applying advanced technology and balancing flood protection with conservation.
The project integrates two major works, namely the Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and the Enhancement Works for the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station. The approximately one-kilometre-long Tsui Ping River, which had in earlier years been artificially converted into a reinforced concrete open drainage channel, has been revitalised into a scenic riverside space through ecological restoration and installation of facilities including cross-river walkways and Hong Kong’s first smart water gate in a river channel. In addition, an underground sewage balancing tank with a capacity of 16 000 cubic metres was constructed beneath the sewage pumping station, while the 11 000-square-metre Cha Kwo Ling Promenade was built on its roof. The project not only enhances local flood resilience and improves the water quality of Victoria Harbour, but also unlocks waterfront space, connecting approximately 1.7km of coastline to form a continuous promenade and provide high-quality leisure space for the public.
The judging panel of the prize highly commended the project’s adoption of innovative technologies and designs, in particular the “single site, multiple uses” model and the creation of green public spaces; the use of an AI-based water level forecasting system and a smart site safety system during construction; the installation of a smart water gate in the river channel that rises and falls with the tides to effectively enhance construction efficiency and environmental performance; and the linking of river water level data with surrounding underground stormwater storage tanks through a sophisticated control system to form a co-ordinated “tank-lake-river” flood protection network, demonstrating excellent flood discharge performance.
Established by the China Civil Engineering Society and the Beijing Tien-yow Jeme Foundation for Development of Science and Technology in Civil Engineering, the Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize aims to commend civil engineering projects with outstanding achievements in technological innovation and application. The DSD was previously awarded the prize for its Stormwater Interception and Storage Schemes for Hong Kong Urban Areas project and the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme in 2014 and 2018 respectively.