What is the spirit of Hong Kong? It is said to be a “can-do” attitude of the people here, highlighted by perseverance and resilience. It is often referred to as the “Lion Rock Spirit” since Lion Rock is the most famous mountain in Hong Kong.
An acclaimed artist, in his 60s, is a role model who displays key traits that include adaptability, entrepreneurship and creativity. He is Victor Wong (黃宏達) who was born in 1966. At his age, he is super stylish: a classic black hat, trendy glasses, natural curly long hair and trendy outfit. I call him “Mr. Hong Kong Spirit”! He is an everlasting youth and an example of the invincible people of Hong Kong!
People of my generation usually have a great memory of the good old days of Hong Kong. In the 1960s, our parents mostly ran mom-and-pop shops serving the neighbourhood. My Dad opened a store selling rice in the 1950s. The father of Victor owned a shop in Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Tei, a gritty, bustling and authentic old-district street, characterized by low-rise buildings.
Victor said, “My father sold joss money, hell bank notes, lanterns and all kinds of paper offerings to worship gods, ancestors and pacify ghosts. Papercraft is a form of art where paper is manipulated through cutting, folding, gluing, and sculpting to create decorative and functional works. My artistic talent derived perhaps from observing my father’s creative contributions to this traditional culture of Hong Kong.” I laughed disgruntledly, “My father sold rice and maybe I took in too much carbohydrate and became fat.” Victor told me, “My father passed away last year!” I asked, “Obviously, you did not inherit his cultural business?” He nodded, “I did not.”
Although it is very sad, letting old businesses fade out is inevitable for financial survival because failing to adapt leads to one being outcompeted by others in Hong Kong. Clinging to the past stifles development and innovation. It means a personal stagnation too.
Hong Kong is a fast-changing society that demands everyone of us to adopt high adaptability, lifelong learning and emotional resilience to navigate life transformation. In less than 100 years, Hong Kong changed from a fishing village, industrial centre, trading hub to the present international financial city. Here, adaptability is crucial for everyone in the wake of the swift evolution of Hong Kong, economically, socially and even politically.
Victor said, “In the 1980s, my family sent me to study at the University of Washington in Seattle. My subject was engineering. But, like anyone here, I kept up with the times. I loved art and so adventurously tried to explore art with digital images. I did not help run my father’s shop.” I told Victor, “In the 1990s, you were regarded as one of the good media artists in Hong Kong. I still remember how I was amazed by your work about 20 years ago in that you combined Chinese ink painting and computer skills to create beautiful digital horses which galloped on big graphics board.”
Victor continued, “At that time, I also created Hong Kong first computer-animated TV commercials after I set up my visual effects production company. Since then, I have produced more than 800 TV ads and designed special effects for more than 100 films in Hong Kong and Hollywood. I got quite a number of awards.”
I asked Victor, “What are you doing now?” He smiled, “AI is the trend. Like anyone in Hong Kong, I need to learn, unlearn and relearn!. For any new technology to art, there are always strong arguments on both sides. AI will surely be my new partner which works with me, a human being, to create a new form of art. It is a very fascinating interplay of human and non-human contrasts—order and chaos, organic and mechanical, traditional and technological! I enjoy facing changes and this should be what my life is all about! ”
In Hong Kong, it is the most challenging thing to go with the flow and yet remain standing head and shoulders above the rest. Victor managed to prove his spectacular success! He represents the great spirit of adaptability and re-powering of the people here in Hong Kong.
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