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Cultivating the art of daily life 🌿 Dear readers,

When light enters your heart,
what image would appear in your mind?

What kind of beauty in things would you truly see? Here at OBSCURA, we are delighted to find things that sparkle and share them with you. If we all learn to appreciate the beauty in life,
and choose to see love and light in everything,
we can create a beautiful universe together, in our hearts.

✑

Founded in 2010 and based in Hong Kong, OBSCURA is a brand tailored for those with a passion to crea

te their very own style with an outstanding perspective. Our biannual publication and online platform aim to inspire readers by sharing our interests in art, design, lifestyle and craftsmanship. Under the same principle, our online store showcases a selection of everyday items which best reflect our aesthetic.

15/08/2024

⟨ THE ART OF MAKING ⟩
The Art of Making with Kids
🌳⛺️🚗🌳⛺️🚗🌳⛺️🚗🌳⛺️🚗
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曾跟當地朋友閒談，他們分享童年時的假期就是跟著父母兄弟姊妹大伙兒在英國四圍遊歷野外露營，會圍圈生火煮食，看星星、日出日落，跳繩打球等，是很普遍的家庭活動，所以在假日的公路上很常看見行走中的旅行車，或者車頂上放著單車或艇的家庭車。我們也想跟著英國家庭的傳統，延續我們在香港喜愛露營的心，試過租旅行車到Dorset car camping，也試過改裝家庭車，加摺疊木板變作旅行車到Lake District露營，那就可以車到哪兒睡到哪兒。當深入了解更多當地露營文化，那些沒有明文規定的規則，信任機制中人們的自律，讓我們看見人與人之間彼此的尊重和信任，那種溫柔的、友善的、享受當下的。

Chatting with local friends, we learned that for many, childhood memories are infused with the outdoor escapades of camping holidays; building campfires, stargazing, and playing games under the open sky. This passion for family travel and adventure is woven into the fabric of British culture, visible in the ubiquitous camper vans and cars hauling bicycles or boats that dot the roads. Inspired by this penchant for adventure, we’ve sought to rekindle our own interest in camping, which first took root during our time in Hong Kong. We’ve tried renting camper vans to go car camping in Dorset, and even converted our family car into a cozy mobile sleep spot for trips to the Lake District. Car camping allows us to sleep wherever we go. As we’ve delved deeper into this local camping culture, we’ve realized that there exists an unwritten etiquette, governed by self-discipline among fellow campers. It’s a mutual respect and trust that allows people to simply be present in the moment.
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13/08/2024

⟨ SLOW STITCH ⟩
Time Interwoven
Junko Oki
🪡⏳🪐🪡⏳🪐🪡⏳🪐🪡⏳🪐
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「我原本想成為一名畫家，但我覺得繪畫不適合我，因為我的情感太容易透過畫筆流露出來，太直接。當我在尋找出口時，我的女兒用我母親去世時留下的布料剪裁、縫製，並刺繡了一個錢包，這些布料從前對我來說是珍貴得無法做任何東西的。她做這件事的唯一目的就是讓我開心，當我看到女兒的刺繡時，我很妒忌她能夠如此坦率地創作。」

「在那之前我根本沒有接觸過針黹，甚至不喜歡它。我自覺不靈活，即使努力也做不好，但我發現透過我自己的方式做一些我不喜歡的事情，賦予了我巨大的自由。」

“I originally wanted to become a painter, but I decided that painting was not for me because my emotions were too easily revealed through the paintbrush and it was too direct. While I was searching for the outlet which suited me most, my daughter cut up, sewed together, and embroidered on a purse out of fabrics that my mother had left behind when she passed away and had previously been too precious for me to do anything with. She made this with the singular intention of making me happy. When I saw my daughter’s embroidery, I felt a sense of jealousy that she was able to create something so candid.”

“Until then I was not involved with needlework at all, I even disliked it. I cannot be nimble, so I cannot do it well even if I try. I felt that an immense freedom was bestowed on me by doing something I didn’t like, but in my own way.”
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/ ✍︎ Toby Crispy FashionClinic by TobyCrispy
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#沖潤子 #刺繍

08/08/2024

⟨ Craft ⟩
Changes in Life
Mound Pottery
🚪🫖☁️🚪🫖☁️🚪🫖☁️🚪🫖☁️
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2022年9月，我打開家門，迎來兩位少女：「我們是住在台南做陶藝的，是附近一間咖啡室介紹來這裡的，我們正在尋找可以販售我們陶瓷的店舖。」面前的一幕像似曾相識。

為了打破有點尷尬的氣氛，我給了一個大大的笑容：「現在甚麼年代？還有人會拿著作品拜訪每間店家去找寄賣？」不是貶意，反而是一種欣賞，就是那個公司沒有刊出請人廣告，卻有人帶著作品集親身到公司等著有機會被接見的年代，單純又美好、還沒有WhatsApp、Facebook的年代。

In September 2022, two young women arrived at my door. “We are potters from Tainan and we are referred to by a cafe nearby. We are looking for a place where we can sell our work.” This encounter felt familiar to me.

To break the slightly awkward atmosphere, I gave the visiting potters a big smile and said, “What era is this? Who still goes around to every store with their work, hoping to consign it?” This was not meant as a put-down, but rather an appreciation for that bygone era—a time before WhatsApp and Facebook, when people would simply bring their portfolios and wait for the chance to be interviewed. That was a simple and beautiful time.
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06/08/2024

⟨ ART ⟩
Still, They Captivate Me.
“Light” by Furze Chan Illustrations
🪟✨☁️🪟✨☁️🪟✨☁️🪟✨☁️
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「看我的畫，可能和看到天空一片雲的感覺差不多。」

「我常常在外出時看到光打在樹上，形成了影子落在地上與牆壁上，在我眼前晃動的樹影，本來就在那裡，而我被它吸引了。」

Furze將這些閃現時刻組成了個展〈光 Light〉，合共十一幅用色鉛筆詮釋的日常蒐集，有行山時拍下的，在家中窗台看到的，或一幀網絡照片，她會編採一些局部，像擷取一格特寫那樣。那怎麼看來都是失焦的畫面？迷濛的黄、綠、湖水與天空之間的一種淡藍、只有唯一一幅出現過一些些桃紅。
“Surveying my paintings may be akin to gazing at a cloud in the sky,”

“I often see light casting shadows on trees, creating moving silhouettes on the ground and walls. These shadows have always been there; still, they captivate me,”

These fleeting moments comprise Furze’s new solo exhibition, titled “Light”. Featuring eleven coloured pencil drawings, the pieces capture everyday scenes, from snapshots taken during hikes and views from her windowsill to images from the Internet. Furze selects and focuses on certain parts of the subject, like capturing a close-up. The resulting images appear out of focus, laced with misty yellows, greens, and a pale blue between the water and the sky. Only one drawing features a hint of pink.

📍Light Exhibition
Jul 13 – Aug 11, 2024 (Tue to Sun 12:00 – 18:00)
Venue: Contemporary Crafts Centre HK
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02/08/2024

⟨ MISC ⟩
An Intimate Journey
Aesop : From a Bottle to the Ethereal Stores
🫙🚿✨🫙🚿✨🫙🚿✨🫙🚿✨
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走進Aēsop，撲鼻的香氣、輕柔的音樂、簡約優雅的室內設計，讓人漸漸放鬆下來，走到洗手台潔淨雙手，再以毛巾輕輕抹乾，坐下來喝一口熱茶，五感的體驗組合成「共感」，讓人留下了深刻的情感記憶。「有一個地方能讓你嘗試不同的護膚產品是很重要的，這空間代表著隱密的、幸福的，讓人感到舒適放鬆的，與我們的顧問對話，尋找和體驗適合自己的產品。」Marianne說，Aēsop的店全都不一樣，但也是全都一樣。不論身處哪個城市，當你走進Aēsop的店舖，也能擁有一樣的體驗。
Stepping into an Aēsop store, the enveloping scents, soothing music, and minimalist yet elegant design gradually allow one to unwind. Washing your hands at the sink, gently drying them with a towel, and then sitting down to sip a warm tea — this multi-sensory experience creates a synesthetic impression, leaving a profound emotional impact. “Having a dedicated space where you can freely explore and try different skincare products is so important,” Marianne explains. “It represents a private, joyful realm where one can feel comfortable, relaxed, and engage with our consultants to find the right products for your unique needs.” While each Aēsop store is uniquely designed, they all provide this same holistic, immersive experience.
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29/07/2024

⟨ CRAFT ⟩
A Chair is not just a Chair
dou6 geoi6 so2
🏡🪑🪚🏡🪑🪚🏡🪑🪚🏡🪑🪚
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「對做木工的我來說，做一張好看又舒服的椅子是最困難的。以溫莎椅為例，背部彎曲的板條，需要像做Shaker box般經過蒸木的步驟、部分彎曲結構需要經人手刨木，每一個步驟都包含了做木工需要有的技巧，也是在木工範疇裏是最具挑戰性的。」Chowman說，在這個年代，人們對「坐」的理解可以很廣泛，可能有一個平面已經能坐了，但椅子是最貼近身體，是每天也會使用到的物件，所以使用時的舒適度和感受都很重要。

“As a woodworker, I find that creating a well-designed and truly comfortable chair is one of the most challenging tasks. For example, the curved slats of a Windsor chair require steaming the wood, and some of the curved structural components need to be hand-planed. Each step demands specialized woodworking skills, making chair-making one of the most technically demanding disciplines in the field.” Chowman notes that in today’s era, people’s understanding of what constitutes “sitting” has become quite broad, where even a simple flat surface may be considered a suitable seat. However, a chair is something that is closest to the body and is used every day, so the comfort and feeling when people are sitting on it are very important.
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#道具所

24/07/2024

⟨ PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS ⟩
Make Your Own Moleskine ✍🏻🎨🖼️

為什麼書寫在這個年代仍然重要？

書寫同時伴隨著思考，相比以手指頭按在螢幕或鍵盤上，拿著一支筆在紙上一勾一勒是不可同日而語的體驗，隨著手的舞動，在紙上釋放著腦袋裡的無限創意。

誕生於十九世紀法國的MOLESKINE，最初以家庭式的手工製作，後來得到畢加索、梵高和海明威等藝術、文學界偉人的喜愛和使用，MOLESKINE早已成為優質筆記簿的代名詞。不少偉大的作品都在這本小小的筆記簿裡萌芽，例如是梵高的名作《在亞爾的卧室》。

最近MOLESKINE與本地藝術家PEI CHUNG合作，以世界名畫為主題，加入天馬行空的創意，把MOLESKINE的元素巧妙地隱藏於名畫之中，好像是梵高在自畫像中背上品牌的背包、把《夜晚露天咖啡座》中的咖啡廳改成品牌的店舖，從中激發我們的想像力。隨著新店開幕，品牌亦推出「Make Your Own MOLESKINE 」的訂造客製化筆記簿服務，除了可使用各種束繩串飾、貼紙等作裝飾，店內更設有首部「個人設計筆記簿裝置」，顧客可自由拼砌各款圖案及文字，並即時打印成個人專屬的筆記簿，藉此鼓勵大家由書寫開始，一起探索各種創作的可能性。

22/07/2024

⟨ TREASURE ⟩
Colors From Nature
45R HK 🌿🦜🌻🌿🦜🌻🌿🦜🌻🌿🦜🌻
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「微」是由細微處掌握和體現全體，相信身體最原始的感動，並珍惜眼前的瞬間。微小如每天穿著、簡單而平凡的T恤，也能為身體帶來最原始、舒適的體驗，並成為衣櫥裡的cherished item。今夏，日本職人品牌45R推出了香港限定的logo tee系列，以簡潔的設計、豐富的色彩和優質的工藝來體現品牌的「微」美學。

This philosophy of elevating the everyday lies at the heart of 45R’s latest limited-edition logo tee collection for Hong Kong. Through clean, minimalist design; vibrant, nature-inspired colors; and exceptional craftsmanship, these commonplace garments transcend their utilitarian function. They become cherished items that nourish both body and spirit, embodying a refined beauty and timeless appeal rooted in the fundamental comforts of the human experience.
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17/07/2024

⟨ CRAFT ⟩
The Preciousness Of Life Is Repeated Day After Day
EX TERRA by Kansai Noguchi
🌑🌓🌔🌑🌓🌔🌑🌓🌔🌑🌓🌔
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場地的中央鋪上了一張白紙，赤著雙腳的野口正準備現場創作。他先是提起一邊腳，凌空在紙上反覆畫著圓；下筆時以雙臂的力量帶領，一圈又一圈，繪畫他心中的宇宙。過程中，所有聲音彷彿都戛然而止。後來野口看著畫作，與團隊嚴肅地討論著，原來是紙的材質不似預期。團隊的人笑說：「你今晚沒飯吃了。」雖然如此，當野口看到已拍下不錯的照片時，隨即笑說：「哦，今晚我可以吃飯了。」
In the center of the room, Noguchi stands barefoot on a sheet of white paper, preparing to create a live work. Lifting one foot at a time, he traces circles in the air, the motion of his arms guiding the drawing of his inner cosmos. All other sounds seem to fade away during this process. Afterward, Noguchi and his team discuss the work, realizing the paper’s material is not quite what they had envisioned. “Looks like you won’t have time to eat tonight,” they laugh. But when Noguchi sees the photos we’ve captured, he smiles and says, “Now I can have dinner tonight.”

EX TERRA by Kansai Noguchi
Date: 29 June – 28 July, 2024 (by appointment only)
Venue: otherthings, 31 Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong

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#野口寛斉 #陶芸

08/07/2024

⟨ THE ART OF MAKING ⟩
Wellbeing and Wildlife
🧑🏻‍🌾🪵🍕🫛🧑🏻‍🌾🪵🍕🫛🧑🏻‍🌾🪵🍕🫛
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每次將自己置身於這個農田之內，埋頭苦幹為大自然、食物、農夫和身邊的人服務時，都讓人感到「生命就在當刻」的覺悟。身體有時會感到很疲累，但心情卻非常放鬆。還記得Emily午飯後帶領meditation時，讓我們感謝食物，聆聽並察覺和感受食物與養分在身體每個部分的滋養和流動。有次在閉目聆聽環境和身體時，由外在聲音到每個身體部份的內在聲音，流動中突然有種與萬物一體之感 —— 身體不是屬於你的，乃是歸於宇宙的。宇宙不是虛不可及的，乃是蘊藏在你之內。眼泛淚光那刻，有感只要能與大自然連結在一起，時間的長短和前後將會變得沒有意義。

Each time we immersed ourselves in the farm’s rhythms—devoting our efforts to cultivating the land, nourishing food, and helping farmers and other participants—it evoked a profound awareness of being alive in the moment. Though we sometimes felt physically drained, our minds were always left in a relaxed state. After our communal lunches, Emily would guide us through meditations to cultivate gratitude for the food. She encouraged us to deeply listen, observe, and feel the flow of the nourishment through every part of our bodies. During one exercise where we tuned into both external sounds and internal bodily sensations, I experienced a profound sense of oneness. The realization hit me that the body is not ours alone, but part of the greater universe. The universe is not distant, but contained within us. With tears in my eyes, I felt that our connection to nature transcends the confines of time—the length and sequence of our lives becomes meaningless when we are so intimately attuned to the rhythms of the natural world.
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27/06/2024

⟨ EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS ⟩

The Adorned Body:
French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910

踏進展覽場地，除了1770年代、具代表性的法國貴族宮廷服飾，旁邊倘大的玻璃櫃還展示了1860年代的玩偶和玩偶行裝，為香港故宮文化博物館最新的展覽「法國百年時尚 — 巴黎裝飾博物館服飾與珠寶珍藏，1770-1910年」打開了華麗、有趣的序幕。

或為富裕家庭的孩童擁有的洋娃娃，擁有需要一層又一層穿著的罩衫、緊身胸衣、襯裙、長裙、不同款式的帽、鞋和飾物，正好反映當時流行的時裝文化。當中有簇新的內衣，有些則有明顯的穿著痕跡，不禁讓人猜想洋娃娃的女主人因為年紀小，大概不懂穿著設計複雜的內衣，所以看上去如新的一樣；有些衣服、鞋子是她喜愛的，所以常常讓洋娃娃穿上。玩偶行裝中也有流行的緊身胸衣和裙撐，讓觀眾窺見當時的服飾是如何塑造身體形態和體現身份地位。

這次展覽是巴黎裝飾博物館最全面的法國歷史服飾收藏於亞洲首次亮相，展示了精湛的工藝、優雅的法式設計和上乘的品質，難怪至今仍是不少設計師的靈感來源。展覽更展出連巴黎裝飾博物館也少有公開、比較完整的男裝服飾系列，在一百年後看來依然富現代感，加上穿插於展品之間的電影片段，如《Marie Antoinette》、《Somewhere in Time》，為這些服飾帶來生命力，開啟觀眾的想像。展覽彷如帶領觀眾時光倒流，回到歷史的另一端，從時裝的角度感受十八世紀法國的文化、生活和藝術。

“The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris”
Date: Now - 14 Oct, 2024
Venue: Hong Kong Palace Museum

#香港故宮文化博物館 #巴黎裝飾博物館 #法國百年時尚巴黎裝飾博物館服飾與珠寶珍藏

18/06/2024

⟨ CRAFT ⟩
In the First Place
古道具黑池 Douguya Hatcharea
🚪🪑🕯️🚪🪑🕯️🚪🪑🕯️🚪🪑🕯️
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「『格物致知』是黑池的理念，對我來說，『格物』是深究事物的起源，『致知』則是後續的分析、沉澱和總結，是得到知識的一個過程。」好像是古鐘的修復，若打開它看到圓形的榫、部份十字螺絲的話，就屬於昭和後期修復或製作的；若是一字螺絲，則是明治至大正年份，或昭和初期也有；而江戶年代則大多使用鐵釘。「例如是我店裡賣的一個書紙用櫃，我會畫下結構圖及細節給客人。若日後某部分壞了，客人也知道該怎樣去修復。若然不去深入研究，對事物的認知就會變得很淺薄。」
“The philosophy of Douguya Hatcharea aligns with the Confucian concept of gé wù zhì zhī (in Chinese:格物致知). Gé wù (in Chinese: 格物) represents the exploration of the origins of things, while zhì zhī (in Chinese: 致知) refers to the subsequent analysis, reflection, and synthesis, representing the process of acquiring knowledge.” In the restoration of antique clocks, certain characteristics can provide insights into their historical context. For instance, round tenons with a few Phillips screws are indicative of the late Showa period, while slotted screws suggest the Meiji to Taisho era or the early Showa period. Iron nails were predominantly used during the Edo period. “When selling a book cabinet, I would provide a structural diagram and detailed notes to the customer. This way, the customer will have the knowledge to repair it in the future. Without delving into research and exploration, the understanding of things will remain superficial.”
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#黑池 #古道具店 #古道具 #古物

12/06/2024

⟨ PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS ⟩
Of intrigue and exception
Aesop on fragrance

”Fragrance is the voice of inanimate things.“ —— Mary Webb

香氣是無聲的話語，使一切不言而喻。

Aēsop的第一支香水Marrakech Intense於2005年誕生，以香水來延伸身體保養配方的香氣，當時的Aēsop被稱為「Cult Favourite」，公司規模不但比其他的小，也沒有賣廣告，而香水的製作是在Carlton內部實驗室製造、浸漬和手工填裝最初幾批香水，這正展現了品牌的「另類精神」。

在實驗性的嘗試和沒有固定目標的顧客群下，這款馥郁、獨特香水代表了創作者的真正喜好，以及Aēsop的精神。後來遇上擁有植物學和草本療法研究背景的法國調香師Barnabé Fillion和調香師Céline Barel，不但為香水系列提供更好的持久度，也帶來更多、更豐富的香氣選擇。

接下來，品牌陸續推出Tracit、Hwyl、Rōzu，〈虛實之境〉系列的Miraceti、Karst、Erémia，以及後來發展出來的Eidesis、Gloam、Ouranon，成為一個豐富的完整系列，每款香水的背後都有其靈感故事，以細微複雜的香調層次呈現出優美意象。香水系列可分為Floral、Fresh、Woody和Opulent四種香調，大大小小的白色石膏鼻子象徵著對氣味的探索和實驗，鼓勵我們一起參與探索，並找到屬於自己、不言而喻的香氣。

07/06/2024

⟨ EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS ⟩
Miu Miu Summer Reads

以書籍為主角，Miu Miu在全球不同城市開展「Summer Reads」夏日讀本特別企劃，包括米蘭、巴黎、倫敦、紐約、上海、首爾、東京等地的書店和文化藝術據點，創造一個獨一無二的文化空間。

香港的Summer Reads選址於中環大館的監獄操場，鼓勵大眾在鬧市中放慢腳步，在這充滿歷史，同時又不乏現代藝術的獨特環境下一起閱讀。參加者可獲得當中兩部經典名著，包括Alba de Céspedes的《Forbidden Notebook》、Sibilla Aleramo的《A Woman》和Jane Austen的《Persuasion》。

這三部作品有著不同的故事背景，但都一樣表現出女性創作者的勇敢無懼，透過文字展示女性的不同身份及其生活，打破傳統和性別界限，激勵及影響著後代的女性。

Miu Miu Summer Reads
June 7 - 8
Prison Yard, 大館 Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central

04/06/2024

⟨ THE ART OF MAKING ⟩
Printmaking
📓🪮✍🏻📓🪮✍🏻📓🪮✍🏻📓🪮✍🏻
┈
對創作者而言，只要愈能夠接近工藝世界裡原材料的源頭，就愈能投放你的心和熱情，當理解到這個城市仍然有很多用心製作和保存工藝的人，內心會湧起一份感動和喜悅，這個不多不少就是在推動你創作的力量。

我們以版畫作載體記錄生活，有時候也會認為版畫或許不是我們的藝術本身，我們的生活本質才是，版畫工藝只是其中一個方式，將之演譯並展示出來。喜歡版畫的特質，在於其黑與白所帶出鮮明直接而強烈的畫面，當世界是如些簡單，透過黑看見白，在白之中看到黑的存在，畫面或許會更刻骨銘心地停留在腦海裏，如影子的片段，因為光而流動著。
For creators, the closer they are to the source of the materials they use, the more they can invest their hearts and passion into their work. Knowing that, here in the city, there is a thriving community dedicated to craftsmanship and the preservation of traditional skills, it becomes a source of immense joy and inspiration, propelling you forward in your artistic journey.

We use printmaking as a medium to document life. Sometimes, we ponder if printmaking itself is not our art, but rather a reflection of the very essence of our lives. It is through printmaking that we interpret and exhibit this essence. What captivates us about printmaking is its ability to create stark, direct, and powerful imagery through the use of black and white. In the simplicity of these two tones, we see the interplay of light and shadow, leaving a lasting impression in our minds.
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27/05/2024

⟨ TREASURE ⟩
Enjoy the Wasshoi, Wasshoi Energy
45R Denim Matsuri
👖🪡🏮👖🪡🏮👖🪡🏮👖🪡🏮
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「我不會很籠統地說，使用什麼布料、剪裁就是一條好的牛仔褲。一條好的牛仔褲，在於是否切合穿它的人的需要和要求。」以他自己為例，他近年喜歡較闊身的牛仔褲，輪廓流暢簡約的「Crosby 5」正合他心意。「現在比從前怕熱，人大了對舒適度的要求自然地高了。」

Elton 由自己製作的牛仔褲，說到日本品牌今季的「牛仔祭」，由製造到穿著、配搭的日常，看似平凡的牛仔褲，背後記載著職人的用心、穿者的故事。即使平凡，也可以是經歷時日流逝後，仍留在衣櫥中、讓人珍惜的衣物。

“I don’t believe that using any particular fabric or cut makes a pair of jeans ‘good.’ A good pair of jeans comes down to whether it meets the needs and requirements of the person wearing them.”

Using himself as an example, Elton said that he has grown to prefer more relaxed fit jeans in recent years. The Crosby 5 style with its streamlined, minimalist cutting is perfect for me. “I’m more sensitive to heat these days, so comfort has become an even higher priority.”

Elton went on to discuss the Japanese brand 45R and their recent “Denim Festival.” From the manufacturing process to how people wear and style the jeans in daily life, even the most ordinary pair of jeans can hold the craftsmanship of the artisans and the stories of the wearers. Though simple, these well-loved jeans that remain in our closets are treasures that have withstood the test of time.
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#デニム祭 #祭 #イベント #藍染め

07/05/2024

⟨ PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS ⟩
Playing with Light
LOEWE Lamps
🛋️✨🛋️✨🛋️✨🛋️✨🛋️✨🛋️✨

一直以來，LOEWE在米蘭國際家具展中找來世界各地的藝術家合作，發揮創意製作出工藝精湛、充滿實驗性的家具，每一次的展出都令人相當期待。

繼上年的LOEWE Chairs後，今年找來24位藝術家合作LOEWE Lamps企劃，以光線做引子，各藝術家以擅長的領域和風格共同進行了一場創意實驗，當中不少都是第一次接觸燈飾創作，並運用了不少鮮見於燈飾設計的物料，如竹片、白樺樹枝、馬毛和皮革等。透過不同物料的特性和燈具形態，讓作品與光線產生了意想不到的互動。

不同背景的藝術家亦為企劃帶來鮮明獨特又多元化的設計，如2019年LOEWE工藝獎得主、漆器家Genta Ishizuka以光亮的漆面製作出如變形細胞的吊燈，光線從縫隙中展開，發出柔和的光芒。Alvaro Barrington設計、外形像商店櫥窗的百葉簾的座檯燈，配上LOEWE標誌性的金色甜圈形鏈狀拉繩，充滿現代感。另外，曾跟竹編大師Lizuka Shokansai學藝的Hafu Matsumoto製作的檯燈由扁平竹片交織而成，簡潔設計體現竹的靈巧韌性。他們的作品都各具特色，光線穿過燈飾在空間裡與影子起舞，擴闊了人們對燈飾設計的美學與工藝的想像。

06/05/2024

⟨ SLOW STITCH ⟩
Knitting Conversations
Movana Chen
🗞️🗺️✂️🗞️🗺️✂️🗞️🗺️✂️🗞️🗺️✂️
┈
1997年在倫敦修讀時裝設計，可惜因為經濟不景氣，一年後要回香港幫爸爸忙，在他的公司當了7年會計，2003年才正式修讀藝術。

這些年少時代，還是要靠IDD長途電話來聯絡遠方的親友，由於費用昂貴，當想念他們時，就只能執筆寫信，由最初不擅表達，慢慢成為了習慣。

直到有一天，爸爸的貿易公司要關閉了，她要負責粉碎機密文件，在碎紙機前竟引發她開始思考:「如果我用碎紙創造一些東西會是怎麼樣呢？」
In 1997, she pursued fashion design in London; however, due to the economic downturn, she had to return to Hong Kong after a year to support her father’s business. For the next seven years, she worked as an accountant at her father’s company. It was in 2003 that she formally pursued art.

During those years, staying connected with family and friends who were far away relied heavily on long-distance phone calls. However, due to the high costs involved, she resorted to writing letters. Although initially inexperienced in expressing herself through written words, it gradually became a habit for her.

One day, as she shredded confidential documents during the closure of her father’s trading company, a thought sparked within her: “What if I create something with shredded paper?”

Words of Heartbeats
at hk until 11 May 2024

Knitting Conventions, 2013-2019
at until 18 August 2024
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03/05/2024

⟨ EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS ⟩
The Taste Of Hong Kong Through My Eyes
Mitsuko Onodera
🥢🫖🦐🐉🥢🫖🦐🐉🥢🫖🦐🐉🥢🫖🦐🐉

「我很喜歡香港傳統酒樓的龍鳳大禮堂，喜歡得很想整個收藏起來，放在家中。現實無法實現的，我把它畫下來、掛在牆上，好像可以擁有它一樣。」

來自東京的插畫家小野寺光子（Mitsuko Onodera），可能比你或我更熟悉香港的地道食物。因為對香港電影的鍾愛，她視張國榮為偶像，思考他平常是吃什麼的，為了找答案，她來到香港，走進電影裡出現過的茶樓、茶餐廳、冰室和大排檔，以味蕾去感受她偶像吃的東西，同時體驗香港真正的「味道」。

小野寺來港數十次，對香港的文化，尤其是飲食文化有一定的認識，甚至成為香港旅遊發展局東京辦事處的大使之一。「我在日本生活，也會很掛念香港食物。我會到家附近的中華街買食材，第一次做的是蛋撻，還試過弄臘腸飯、炒飯、回窩肉、蒜蓉蝦⋯⋯」傾談間，她對香港食物（或廣東菜）的熱愛表露無遺，而我們也感到有點餓了。

小野寺光子現正在字字研究所舉行的「光子眼中的香港味道」展覽，同樣展示了她對香港食物的熱愛，各種茶樓點心、冰室、街市和酒樓的場景，在她的細緻描繪和層次豐富的色彩之下，顯得生動而美好。部分點心畫作加上微細的人在畫中做不同的事，十分可愛。

她的作品不但展示著香港多元混雜的飲食文化，彷彿還在提醒，讓我們珍惜的東西一直在日常裡，平凡如一頓飯，也能藏著珍貴的意義。

The Taste Of Hong Kong Through My Eyes
Now to 12 May, 2024
Word by Word Book Store, 1/F, Foo Tak Building, 365-367 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai

#小野寺光子 #水彩画 #香港 #飲茶

02/05/2024

⟨ THE ART OF MAKING ⟩
Leatherwork
🏠💼🔨🏠💼🔨🏠💼🔨🏠💼🔨
┈
記得那天發了一個電郵給皮革廠，告知希望親身到工場看看皮革再購買，誰料他們卻安排了一位工場主管James，帶我們遊走整個工場，並逐一介紹皮革製作過程，包括由橡木樹皮加工，收到附近農場的牛皮後存放，以鹽消毒、去毛、除脂，歷時十二個月的植鞣工序，然後再把皮革壓平、抹色染色、抹爉和油脂護理，全人手負責。可知工廠歷史悠久，走在其中，有一種置身於五六十年代英國工業重鎮的電影場景之中，像穿越了時空。在香港做皮藝工作差不多十年，期間也沒有好好地認真參觀過全個製皮過程。這次參觀工廠，經由資深工場主管詳盡解說，填滿了過去作為皮革工藝師空掉的一部分，那股興奮由底蘊升起。從那天起便確認了J&FJ Baker是我們在英國的主要皮革供應商。

I can still remember the moment we reached out to J&FJ Baker, expressing our desire to personally visit their factory to look at the leather before making a purchase. To our surprise, they arranged a comprehensive tour for us instead. James, the knowledgeable factory supervisor, showed us around the facility and explained to us every step involved in leather production. From processing of oak bark to receiving raw hides from nearby farms, followed by steps such as salting, disinfection, hair removal, degreasing, twelve months of tanning, flattening of the leather, coloring, buffing, and oil treatment — Skilled artisans performed each task with precision and expertise. As we strolled through the factory, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia enveloped us, as if we had been transported to a film set featuring a British industrial town in the 1950s or 1960s. During my ten years in the leather industry in Hong Kong, we had never had the chance to witness the entire leather-making process firsthand. This factory visit, guided by James’ wealth of knowledge and attention to detail, filled a void in our knowledge and ignited a profound sense of excitement within us. From that day on, we knew with utmost certainty that J&FJ Baker would become our primary leather supplier in the UK.
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24/04/2024

〔 April 2024 Newsletter 〕

- The Future Starts - 🪐💫🪐💫🪐💫

傳奇塗鴉藝術家Futura 將於Repulse Bay Village舉行「The Return of the Spray Wizard」展覽，展出與 .allrightsreserved 聯手製作的大型雕塑「AV-002B」，發光的PointMan於黑夜中散發神秘的未來主義色彩，猶如外星人登陸 RBV，開展未知的旅程。展覽另一重點是Futura全新創作的4幅大型畫作，讓觀眾可以一窺大師的抽象塗鴉藝術，並走進藝術家奇異的想像世界。

展覽期間，兩款限量收藏品將於現場獨家發售，詳情請留意 Repulse Bay Village 的instagram !

“THE RETURN OF THE SPRAY WIZARD”
Futura at Repulse Bay Village
27 & 28 April | 12-6pm
30 April - 5 May l 12-6pm
Shop G118-119, The Repulse Bay Arcade, 109 Repulse Bay Road

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17/04/2024

⟨ SLOW STITCH ⟩
Colouring Identity
Kinyan Lam
🍁🍂🌿🍁🍂🌿🍁🍂🌿🍁🍂🌿
┈
記得那天到訪香港時裝設計師林健仁的工作室，他翻開風琴頁紙的目錄冊，開首是數十種以不同植物混合起來染的色調和標記，聽著他娓娓道來他與植物染及貴州結緣的旅程—— 從讀設計時到廣州中大布料市場的某店角落，發現了一塊侗布開始，認識了布店老闆，後來到英國倫敦時裝學院深造又認識了一位研究植物染的中國留學生，一路穿針引線到了貴州的大利侗寨，遇上説起傳統工藝將失傳而熱淚盈眶的市集檔販。在探究是途中的某人還是某事觸發了他的念頭，最後發現原點是紹興雲浮 —— 他14歲前成長的農村。

I recall the day I visited fashion designer Kinyan Lam at his studio in Hong Kong, where he shared his journey into the world of plant dyeing. As he flipped through a catalog with accordion pages, showcasing an array of shades created through the art of plant dyeing, Kinyan recounted how his path became intertwined with the craft. It all began during his time as a design student when a chance encounter with D**g fabric at the Zhongda Fabric Market in Guangzhou sparked his curiosity. This led him to establish a friendship with the fabric shop owners, opening his eyes to the possibilities of plant dyeing. Later, while studying fashion in London College of Fashion, Kinyan crossed paths with a fellow student who specialized in this unique dyeing technique. This connection ignited a passion within Kinyan, leading him to embark on a journey to Dali D**g Village in Guizhou. It was there that he encountered a local market vendor who shared heartfelt stories about the endangered traditions of their craft. Along the way, he discovered a deep connection to his childhood in Yunfu, Shaoxing.
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#林健仁

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Our Living Library - Take Care You Exhibition

⟨ EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS ⟩ Take Care You 好好聊療展覽 by 林嘉欣 Karena Lam 🪑🤲🏻🍃🪑🤲🏻🍃 把一噸泥的重量又揉又捏，「窯裡只剛好每次放一張」，摸著一張張陶土造的椅在想像，她獨自抱著這些精靈般的坯體放到窯內，忘掉粗砂把指紋都磨掉，還喜歡到睡著也夢見。「像我把劇本讀到滲進體內，演的當下會發現有些場景有些對白熟悉到好像我已經歷過了，我看到過了。」丈夫笑說她連做夢都在造陶好可怕啊。「是的我夢到自己在一個很大的陶瓶裡在繞在轉。」她邊模擬著身體隨著瓶的姿態繞轉、舞動，說話也綿延得，無法感受不了她的熱情，有種無法滿足，只想不斷傾倒。「有日我夢到和Tyson（翟凱泰）和Olivia（甄詠蓓）打碎很多碗。」醒來就去把夢成真，找來活躍於粵劇與劇場的江駿傑，四人一起打破2700個陶碗。短片裡，有時用臉去磨蹭陶，有時互相砸向，或放手任其掉落。有人靜靜地聽，有人想接住，有人避不開。在移動裡，我們不斷介入彼此，「當下大家都很直覺。」「近幾年大家經歷的也是相同的事。」那個心情是個共感，「有人覺得把這些碗砸碎不是很傷心嗎？但我覺得不會。」沒有什麼失去，但有空間再做什麼。「我覺得陶就是這樣forgiving。」和梨木製陶所 TOKI NASHIKI 一起造的這些碗都是風乾成形，砸碎後加水就能重新變回泥，嘉欣會再製成新的碗，未來半年間會在油街待大家領養。油街策劃這個「Our Living Library」的空間時，嘉欣想到這個場所好像漸漸變得不再被需要，那就要有椅子，去讓人停留。燒成後清減了一些的陶椅，也想你坐上面，放空後能放下一些什麼就好。「我很喜歡睡覺，一覺醒來後眼光好像就不同了。」只要我們能好好面對。 ┈ 展期：24.5 -