Art Intervention in Hong Kong Rural Revitalization Based on Symbiosis: The Case of Lai Chi Wo

Abstract

Based on the national conditions and the demand of the times, “Beautiful Countryside Construction” has become common sense in rural revitalization in Greater China. Art is believed to be an effective way to intervene and make a difference in this process. However, art intervention is confronted with challenges in rural renewal due to its hysteretic nature and people’s diverging perceptions in understanding and accepting arts. This is especially true with Hong Kong, a hub of drastic economic and cultural interactions. To solve these contradictions art intervention meets in rural areas, the notions of Symbiosis can be instructive through its essence of coordination and mutualism. Lai Chi Wo in Hong Kong has made active and effective efforts to revitalize its rural development with art intervention that shows the philosophy of symbiosis. The symbiotic art intervention features in the conservation of distinctive cultural traditions, the coordination of multiple stakeholders, dynamic adaption to changes, the openness in face of contradictions, a holistic view in planning and implementing, and harmony with nature. In its practice bakced up by the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme, Lai Chi Wo performs well from the above-mentioned dimensions to release its art potential through the improvement of the rural landscape, the design of public service, and the product packing. Although Lai Chi Wo still has a way to go in further releasing residents’ initiative, it offers an instructive model of symbiosis-based art intervention in rural revitalization.