On Site Art Installation - Words of Leaves

By Monti Lai & Wong Wing Fung

With the help of Eco-tour Guides, Education Ambassadors and staff of Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre

Art Work Introduction

Located at the fringe of the University of Hong Kong, the hundred-year-old serene Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre was once a watchman quarter of the adjoining Pokfulam Filter Beds, with a British bungalow and two historic buildings stand in front of a lush garden, waiting to be discovered. Our work began with the 40-metre solitary and well-shaded pathway leading towards the centre. We have invited artist Meiki Lee to conduct a six senses poem writing workshop along the nearby Pik Shan Path. The poems were then transferred onto leaf-shaped cloths dyed using flowers and leaves picked up at the centre to produce the Words of Leaves, capturing the dialogues between nature, and the thoughts and feelings of those who walked the path. Scattered around the pathway leading towards the centre, the Leaves will accompany you along the climb, to explore the unknown.

Artists Introduction

Monti Lai

Monti Wai-Yi LAI is an environmental artist and farmer recognized for works that reflect on the relationship between art and the environment. Her artworks range from site-specific environmental installations to drawings and participatory art. She sets up the Farmside Art Research Lab to explore her agroecological concerns through artisan farming practice. Lai received her MFA from Aalto University in Finland majoring in Environmental Art. Her work has been exhibited in Hong Kong, Denmark, Finland, Beijing, Germany, Estonia, Lai also actively promotes art-based environmental education and worked with local and global NGOs and institutions. “Touching the Earth — Environmental Art Workshop at Lai Chi Wo”, has been awarded the Certificate of Merit from Hong Kong Art Development Awards.

Wong Wing Fung

Wong Wing Fung an artist/curator who received her BA in Fine Art from Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. During her study, she undertook the internship training at the Royal National Theatre, London. She was selected to be one of the three participants of 2009-­‐10 Para/Site Art Space-­‐ Hong Kong Jockey Club Curatorial Training Program. Fung desires to be a collector but was restrained by money in realizing her dream. She turns to collect and exchange stories in her artworks-­‐ to question memory and its preservation, and to explore the interactions between individuals and communities with a hope to provoke dialogues with the viewers.

Creation Process

Six Senses Writing Exercise

Walking to the waterfall via Pik Shan Path, by selecting senses to focus on, observe and embrace each turn and each new perspective. From the first impression with the most intuitive feeling, dive deeper and orchestrate a unique ensemble with nature.

The Encounter Between "Words" and "Leaves" 

  • Natural dye cloths using flowers and leaves picked up at the centre
  • Solvent-transferred the created poems onto the natural dyed cloths, then waterproof them with beeswax
  • Hang the Leaves on tree branches

Showcase