Description

TKO Plaza under Nan Fung Group has been committed to promoting environmental education and conservation culture. This Easter, TKO Plaza and local art creation team ALAN (Artists Who Love Animals and Nature) join hands to bring the mysterious and spectacular tropical rainforest to Hong Kong. From April 1 to May 1, 2025, the mall's atrium will transform into the exhibition 'Spirit of SUMATRA Education Hall', featuring six innovative art installations that blend various art mediums, including paper art, illustration, visual interaction, and AI generative technology. Adults and children can embark on an exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and discover the endangered species that inhabit it, appreciating the wonders and beauty of nature! In addition to the art installations, there will also be fun interactive games where children can let their imaginations run wild and dress up the rainforest animal friends, with their creations displayed on a large mural to spread the message of conservation. Seize the long Easter holiday and take your kids on a journey of discovery that combines fun and educational insights!

Six Art Installations Blending Paper Art, Illustration, Visual Interaction, and AI Generative Technology for a Diverse Exploration Experience

ALAN excels at integrating technology into art and has a mission to raise public awareness for wildlife and natural environments. Curator Lin Min and some of the artists personally visited Sumatra, Indonesia, to meet with local conservation organizations and conduct field research. They then collaborated with local and overseas creative units to meticulously plan six large-scale art pieces, including the depiction of exotic rainforest flora in 'Paper Forest', the life-size reproduction of a rare bird in 'Rhinoceros Hornbill', the visual interactive art installation 'Empty', the gigantic illustration 'Sumatra Rainforest Heritage Map', and two AI generative art installations, 'People of the Forest' and '97%'. These artworks showcase the primitive nature of the Sumatra rainforest from different perspectives, allowing visitors to experience the allure of nature while reflecting on how humans should coexist with the environment.

1. 'Paper Forest': Exotic Flora Galore

Local art unit KaCaMa Design Lab uses giant paper creations to showcase the rich, unique, and colorful plant life of Sumatra, including the parasitic rafflesia, the world's largest flower that has fascinated scientists, and the extremely rare Amorphophallus titanum with its distinctive long shape and putrid smell. See how many exotic flowers and plants you can identify!

2. 'Rhinoceros Hornbill': Hunted for Its Unique Appearance

Hong Kong artist Pauline Yau employs intricate paper sculpting techniques to recreate the rhinoceros hornbill at a 1:1 scale, meticulously rendering every detail from feathers and neck to talons. With a wingspan of up to 2 meters and a prominent casque on its beak, this bird has become a target for hunters seeking its 'helmet' to craft jewelry and artifacts. It is now listed as a critically endangered species. Sacrificing such precious life for material gain is truly not worth it!

3. 'People of the Forest': Equal Dialogue

Even without an animal communicator, you can have a heartfelt conversation with nature's friends! 'People of the Forest', created by The Collective team, is an AI-generated art dialogue installation. The video features a Sumatran orangutan, and the dialogue is generated using recordings provided by local conservation experts. Visitors can engage in equal dialogue with the orangutan, breaking down human superiority complexes and challenging the arrogant notion of humans as the king of all beings, while also learning about the orangutan's living environment.

4. '97%': Rediscovering Our Connection to Nature

'97%', an AI-generated art interactive installation planned by ALAN's Creative Technology Director, Andy Stokes, may challenge your perspective on the relationship between humans and animals. When visitors align their heads with the device, their faces transform into those of red-haired gorillas, whose DNA is nearly 97% similar to humans, emphasizing the close connection between mankind and nature.

5. 'Empty': Quiet Reflection and Exploration

ALAN team's visual interactive art installation, 'Empty', places you in a quiet space for a unique exploration journey! By placing the specially prepared reading tool on the all-white screen, you'll uncover the challenges faced by the tropical rainforest, including deforestation and the threat posed by palm oil plantations to Sumatra's rainforest species. After watching, consider with your children how to contribute to balancing economic development and nature conservation.

6. 'Sumatra Rainforest Heritage Map': A Rainforest Compendium

Local illustrator Lam Suet Ying captures the entire geographical landscape of the Gunung Leuser National Park with intricate and complex brushstrokes, documenting the rich biodiversity that inhabits it. This bird's-eye view allows you to take in the majestic scenery of this vast rainforest at a glance. Can you spot all the precious plants and animals hidden in this compendium?

On-Site Creative Painting to Spread Conservation Messages

After admiring the six art installations, feel free to join the on-site art activities with your little ones, turning your experiences into creative fuel! During the event period, on weekends and public holidays, there will be a 'Sumatra Rainforest Animal Sticker Coloring Game'. Participants will draw two animal cards from a wildlife box and receive two corresponding animal stickers. These include rhinos, tigers, elephants, red-haired gorillas, rhinoceros hornbills, and sun bears. Children can unleash their creativity by coloring and embellishing the stickers. Once completed, they can either take their creations home or stick them onto the large forest mural on display, sharing conservation messages with more people. Each game costs HK$10, or you can redeem a game slot with 200 NF Points as an NF Touch member. Bring your kids to experience this creative and meaningful art activity right away!

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