“Fragments of Curiosities” Exhibition in Hong Kong Explores Memory Through Art

The “Fragments of Curiosities” exhibition at Hart Haus in Hong Kong’s Kennedy Town brings together seven artists who explore the concept of memory through objects. Curated by Helena Halim, the exhibition was inspired by her childhood memory of a seashell collection that she left behind when her family moved away from Hong Kong. This personal experience prompted the artists to create works that reflect how objects can act as vessels for memories, forming a coherent collection that invites reflection.

Two artists, Daniel Stempfer and Natasza Minasiewicz, used found objects from their environments to express their connection to the places they live. Stempfer’s Habitat (W.I.D.S. – Jin’s Chasmanthium Chaffy Edit) mirrors the changing landscape of Tai Kok Tsui in Kowloon. His sculpture, constructed from acrylic sheets and a concrete base, incorporates seed pods from the flame of the forest tree and pampas grass, evoking a blend of nature and urban development. The use of neon lights adds a striking element to the piece.

Minasiewicz’s Foraged 01 (Sha Po, 2021) is an arrangement of furniture and industrial parts salvaged from Lamma Island. The installation resembles an office setting, but with surreal twists—such as a chair adorned with metal spheres that make sitting uncomfortable. The piece suggests a reimagining of the discarded objects’ pasts, offering them a new narrative in their altered form.

Personal memories are woven into the works of other artists. Sharon Lee’s video installation A Palm, A Fountain, An Umbrella pairs intimate reflections with nostalgic visits to Hong Kong’s Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Through a blend of text and old photographs, the piece evokes both personal and collective memories of the city.

Colbie Fung Ho-pui’s Nothing Less installation explores the voyeuristic nature of memory. Using old smartphones and memory cards, the artist presents videos and photographs that seem familiar, like a child playing at the beach. The work taps into the collective experience of viewing memories not intentionally shared.

Louisze Chan Pui-sze’s two-part installation uses AI to fabricate images of people and families posing in front of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. Presented as photographs and magnetic souvenirs, these fabricated memories challenge the authenticity of archival images, creating a “mockumentary” of false recollections.

The final collaborative work, Nondormant Dreaming by S. Yi Yao Chao and Koel Chu, provides a space for reflection. A tatami-style mat invites visitors to listen to recordings of people discussing their dreams. Chu’s personal writing, inserted into a redacted book, reveals her experience of being bullied at work, while Chao’s display honors her grandmother’s migration from Macau to Hong Kong, featuring her actual entry permits.

Overall, “Fragments of Curiosities” is a deeply emotional exhibition that offers a unique meditation on memory, using objects to evoke both personal and collective histories.

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