‘RE: Tai Kok Tsui’ Pavilion: A New Landmark of Cultural Innovation

Debut of Mikala Dwyer’s Phantasms for Future Ecologies

Tai Kok Tsui has just welcomed an exciting new cultural and creative hub! The Hong Kong Arts Centre, with funding from the Urban Renewal Fund, officially launched the ‘RE: Tai Kok Tsui’ Pavilion on 6 January 2025 as part of the ‘RE: Tai Kok Tsui’ Public Art and Community Art Project.

This new pavilion is more than just an art venue—it’s a social innovation lab and community playground, offering a welcoming space for people to play, learn, and connect. Open to creatives from all walks of life, the pavilion will host exhibitions, workshops, and activities led by local artists, designers, architects, and cultural institutions.

A Stunning Debut: Mikala Dwyer’s Phantasms for Future Ecologies

The pavilion’s opening is marked by the debut of a breathtaking projection artwork, Phantasms for Future Ecologies, created by renowned Australian artist Mikala Dwyer. This is Dwyer’s first-ever community-specific projection installation for Hong Kong, supported by the School of Art, RMIT University and the Australian Government’s Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program.

A Unique Blend of Art and Ecology

Located at the RE: Tai Kok Tsui Pavilion in the Open Piazza of Olympian City 2, the artwork takes inspiration from the local barn swallow, a bird species commonly seen in the area. Using cutting-edge projection technology, Dwyer’s installation casts vivid, lifelike images of swallows onto trees, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.

Through this artwork, Dwyer explores the delicate balance between urban development and ecological conservation, encouraging audiences to reflect on how cities and nature can coexist. The installation serves as both a visual spectacle and a thought-provoking commentary on the importance of biodiversity in a rapidly urbanizing world.

Extended Exhibition Period Due to Overwhelming Response

Since its debut, Phantasms for Future Ecologies has received an incredible response from the community. To accommodate the enthusiastic audience, the exhibition period has been extended by four additional days!

Don’t miss the chance to experience this world-class art installation. Here are the details:

Exhibition Details

• Main Period: 07-12 January 2025 (Tue-Sun)
• Extended Dates: 18-19 January 2025 (Sat & Sun) & 25-26 January 2025 (Sat & Sun)
• Time: 6:30 – 9:30 PM
• Location: RE: Tai Kok Tsui Pavilion, Open Piazza, Olympian City 2 (near Namco)

Why a Must-Visit

Mikala Dwyer is a celebrated Australian artist renowned for her idiosyncratic and evocative sculptural installations. Her work often explores the intersections of art, ecology, and community, creating immersive experiences that inspire reflection and imagination.

Mikala Dwyer is a celebrated Australian artist renowned for her idiosyncratic and evocative sculptural installations. Her work often explores the intersections of art, ecology, and community, creating immersive experiences that inspire reflection and imagination.

Phantasms for Future Ecologies is part of Dwyer’s ongoing exploration of the relationship between human activity and the natural world. This installation, featuring lifelike projections of swallows, continues her tradition of creating art that sparks dialogue about ecological preservation and urban coexistence.

One of Dwyer’s other notable works is Phantom, a public art commission for the Ian Potter Sculpture Court at the Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA) in Australia. Created in collaboration with animator Gina Moore, Phantom features a holographic-like projection of a koala, one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered species.

Photo Sources: https://www.mikaladwyer.com/phantom-melbourne-2021 

The work emerged in the aftermath of the devastating 2019–20 Australian bushfires and offers a poignant commentary on the urgency of addressing ecological change. By projecting the koala onto the trees of the sculpture court, Dwyer invites audiences to reflect on what might be lost if environmental degradation continues unchecked. The piece also emphasizes the importance of bridging Indigenous and Western knowledge systems of land management to care for the environment.

Like Phantom, Phantasms for Future Ecologies reflects Dwyer’s unique ability to use art as a platform for raising awareness about pressing environmental issues while fostering a sense of connection between viewers and the natural world.

Whether you’re an admirer of contemporary art or someone passionate about ecological conservation, this installation is a must-see. It’s an opportunity to experience Dwyer’s groundbreaking work firsthand and join in a broader conversation about building a more sustainable future.

🌟 Don’t miss this chance to witness a world-class art installation that bridges art, ecology, and community in a truly innovative way!