RUNDOWN
17:15 Registration 
17:45-18:00 Welcome Remarks
18:00-19:00 Panel Discussion 1
19:00-20:00 
Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence Photography Exhibition, Chantal Miller Gallery
Paris Behind the Scenes VR Experience, Lippo Amphitheater
Streetsignhk Neon Exhibition, Joseph Lau & Josephine Lau Roof Garden
20:00-21:00 Panel Discussion 2
21:00-21:05 Closing Remarks
21:05-22:00 Free Walk-About to Exhibitions and VR Experience

The Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau and the Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK) are pleased to announce the 5th edition of “The Night of Ideas” (in French, La Nuit des Idées), which will reflect on the contours of the notion of heritage.

Under the title “[Re]build : Beyond the Skyline” this event will take place on 21st June 2022 from 5:30pm to 10:00 p.m. at ASHK on-site and online. Through its hybrid and innovative design, it will bring to you an insightful and lively content, whether you come to the calm oasis of ASHK in the heart of Admiralty or you are live streaming at home.

As the year 2022 marks 10 years of ASHK at the Former Explosives Magazine heritage site as well as the 5th anniversary of the Night of Ideas organised by the Consulate General of France, both institutions come together to reflect on the past in order to shape the world ahead. Heritage takes a thriving place in the debate shaping the identity of the future generations. In light of this observation, the Night of Ideas aims to dive into the depth on the notion to answer a simple, yet essential question: What is heritage?

Leading French and Hong Kong heritage specialists, renowned scholars, institutional figures and art professionals will debate this poignant theme in engaging roundtables moderated by the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, M. Douglas So. The discussions held in ASHK’s prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall and broadcast live will explore the emotional connections between people and heritage. Some more potential answers will also come in various forms, as the night will bring to life an exclusive neon sign exhibition from StreetsignHK, more than 80 images by photographers Hedda Morrison, Lee Fook Chee and Brian Brake taken of Hong Kong from the 1940s to 1970s in ASHK’s latest exhibition, Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence, as well as a unique VR experience of French built heritage.

With two roundtables, “The Night of Ideas” will invite the audience to revisit its perception of heritage, and to engage in a personal reflection of what deserves to be considered as part of it.

Panel Discussion 1: [Re]build the Notion: What Makes Heritage?

When asked about heritage, one will instinctively think about a rather old building. Nonetheless, not all old buildings are recognized as heritage, while some rather new ones are. This paradox questions the role that time plays in turning architecture into heritage, but also the importance of acceptance and bonding with civil society. In a broader perspective, this also ignites the debate on how to rebuild damaged structures and how new architecture can be integrated into heritage, becoming a part of it.

Panel Discussion 2: [Re]vive the Notion: Can Heritage Take Hold of the Streets?

In Hong Kong or France, streets are more than a place people are just passing through. They are places where life is everywhere and each path reflects the identity of its inhabitants. People share a feeling of belonging in their own neighbourhood and an emotional bond with all signs of life growing between buildings: neon signs, outdoor markets, posters, and more. As the city evolves and grows, the look of streets can undergo deep changes. This raises the question of whether they keep being mirrors of identity of their local communities and how their preservation is part of intangible heritage conservation.

ASHK Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence Exhibition

The more than 80 photographs by Hedda Morrison, Lee Fook Chee and Brian Brake trace Hong Kong’s history over a span of three decades of great change, from the 1940s to the 1970s. They highlight Hong Kong’s post-war recovery in 1946-1947, resilience of the 1950s, and resurgence of the 1960s-1970s. Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence is curated by Edward Stokes who founded The Photographic Heritage Foundation. The exhibition coincides with celebrations to commemorate 10 years of ASHK’s heritage site at the Former Explosives Magazine in Admiralty.

Streetsignhk Neon Exhibition

With an exclusive exhibition, StreetsignHK takes over the rooftop of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center to recreate the atmosphere of a typical Hong Kong street. Kevin Mak and Ken Fung, the two architects behind the project will enlighten the Night of Ideas as they invite visitors to reflect on the cultural identity of the cities and the confines of the notion of heritage.

Paris Behind the Scenes (VR Experience)

To discover some of the most iconic monuments of Paris from a unique perspective without taking the plane will be made possible for the Night of Ideas, as VR technology will enable visitors to take a private tour of the Eiffel Tower, the Paris City Hall, Saint-Eustache church or Notre-Dame cathedral. These VR experiences will allow guests to discover the possibilities opened by new technologies in terms of heritage conservation.

The Night of Ideas (in French, La Nuit des Idées)

Launched in Paris for the first time in 2016, the Night of Ideas in Hong Kong is part of a worldwide operation that aims at sharing the French culture of debate, every 3rd Thursday of January, with the support of the Institut Français of Paris. From Seoul to Los Angeles, from Tokyo to Paris, passing through Singapore, Hong Kong and New York... 220 Nights of ideas is organized throughout 90 countries.

The event has been featured every year in Hong Kong since 2018 with major local partners: Asia Society (2018, Artificial Intelligence), Hong Kong Design Institute (2019, Night of Architecture, Saint James’ Settlement (2020, The Revolution of Sharing) and the Hong Kong Museum of Arts (2021, St[art] again).

Philosophers, writers, researchers, intellectuals, students, whistleblowers, artists and political figures propose their vision of the present and their solutions to the challenges of tomorrow on issues of equality, ecology, education, urban planning, science, policy and technology.

Official website: www.lanuitdesidees.com

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and participants and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, do not reflect the opinion, position or official policy of Asia Society Hong Kong, its members, or its committees. Asia Society Hong Kong does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for the content of the information presented.