Immersive sensory experiment: Installation artwork 'Solis Occasus' to be staged

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present the installation artwork "Solis Occasus" by cross-disciplinary artist Wong Chi-yung in August. Through sensory experiential installation and improvisatory dance performance, the programme provides the audience with two different ways to appreciate the artwork, allowing them to be immersed in a unique contemplative space where they can be inspired to understand their subconsciousness and reflect on themselves.

"Solis Occasus" is the latest work of Wong's sensory experiential installation series, following "A Heaven in A Wild Flower" in March last year. "Solis Occasus" merges scenography and lighting technology, transforming the theatre into a contemplation space. Audience members can choose to explore and browse the installation ground freely, or experience the artwork in the balcony area from another viewpoint. Through visual, auditory and even tactile senses, the artwork brings a new sensory experience to the audience, leading them to follow their hearts and to feel the moment of tranquillity.

The artwork also incorporates the concept of mindfulness and cross-media artistic elements. Dancers Kenny Leung and Terry Tsang were invited by Wong to explore the relationship of movement, observation and introspection by turning the installation into their stage to perform a series of improvisatory dance creations during some sessions. The duo will interact with the audience in the installation ground, guiding them to participate and experience arts from different perspectives and reacquaint themselves with their senses.

Wong Chi-yung has been exploring the relationship between mindfulness and the arts for many years. He believes that everyone can understand themselves by steering the inner self to introspection and reflection through an artistic creation or experience. Wong named his work "Solis Occasus", in which he sees the setting sun as a metaphorical prompt to let go. Both the setting sun and letting go keep changing at every moment, making them difficult to capture. A brief moment, however, may stay in people's hearts and inspire them with meaning.

The 10-session installation artwork experiential programme "Solis Occasus" will take place from August 26 to 28 (Friday to Sunday) at the Studio Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Each session will last for about 45 minutes. Two types of tickets are available. Programme details are as follows:

Date: August 26 (Friday)

Time (two sessions): 8pm and 9.30pm

Date: August 27 (Saturday)

Time (five sessions): 2.15pm, 3.45pm, 5.15pm, 8pm and 9.30pm (no improvisatory dance segment for the 2.15pm session)

Date: August 28 (Sunday)

Time (three sessions): 11.45am, 2.15pm and 3.45pm (no improvisatory dance segment for the 11.45am session)

Tickets: Experiential Ticket priced at $180 (allows the audience member to explore the installation ground freely and watch the improvisatory dance performance at a closer distance) and Observational Ticket priced at $100 (the audience member will take a designated seat in the balcony to experience and enjoy the improvisatory dance performance). For the two sessions without improvisatory dance performance, the ticket price is $100 and the audience can explore the installation ground.

A meet-the-artist session in Cantonese will be held after the last session on August 28 (Sunday). Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.

Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1321.html.