Getting cultured at PMQ

Le French GourMay 2015 Festival drew big crowds to PMQ (元創方) this weekend. It was a festival organized by The Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau and Business France that celebrated French foods, music, and even pixel art. I enjoyed the band that was playing in the PMQ courtyard. They played a interesting version of Speak Softly, Love (The Godfather theme song) with brass instruments like the trumpet and tuba.

The festival in the PMQ courtyard, complete with food/drink tents and live band (Photo: CharK)

Photo: CharK

Unfortunately, I thought the heat and humidity mixed with the food and alcohol made the courtyard smell kind of unpleasant, almost fishy like. But the rest of the art exhibits and shops were well ventilated and cool. I thought the Wipe Out pixel art exhibit was kinda cool and quirky. It featured French artist Invader's work. In addition to pixel art creations of iconic characters like Bruce Lee, there was a photo display showing where random pixel cartoons and characters were "graffitied" across Hong Kong, on overpasses and various buildings. According to PMQ's website, his artwork was removed from the walls of the city within a few weeks by local cleaning crews

The famous Bruce Lee pixel art (Photo: CharK)

Fruit anyone? (Photo: CharK)

Aside from the Wipe Out exhibition, pieces from the Muji Award International Design competition were also on display. Most of these designs were practical and aimed at making our lives more convenient. Some of the pieces that I thought were most interesting were the every day items like the umbrella that can lean at 45 degrees against a wall and the fold your own shoe.

I like coming to PMQ on the weekends. Even though I was just here a couple of months ago for Valentine's Day, it seems that the exhibits change and designers bring out new pieces quite frequently. So there's always something new to see.