越界/粵界 (transgression/cantosphere) [2015]

An urgent celebration of Cantonese language and culture at a critical juncture. Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement offers a window into the overwhelming political forces committed to the degradation of Cantonese ways of life and expression. Reflecting the overseas struggles are the local effects of rapid gentrification and the “historical”ization of Vancouver’s Chinatown, tempting the impending loss of an invaluable cultural space and irreplaceable knowledge.

越界/粵界 (transgression/cantosphere) transforms the delightful complexities of the Cantonese language into compelling audio, visual, and tactile experiences. Through dissection and play with Cantonese tonal structure, denoting/transforming meaning, the installation plays with exclusivity, revealing itself to people who speak the same tongue. 越界/粵界 (transgression/cantosphere) is language as a stand for Cantonese culture; Chinatown as a bastion for Cantonese people.

Created by Hong Kong Exile (Natalie Tin Yin Gan, Remy Siu, and Milton Lim) in collaboration with Centre A Gallery,  Zoe Lam, and Howie Tsui
Linguistic Specialist: Zoe Lam
Photos by Alisha Weng and Ash Tanasiychuk [VANDOCUMENT]
Video documentation of performance by Daniel O'Shea

Running time: 越界/粵界 (TRANSGRESSION/CANTOSPHERE) is a multi-media gallery installation that loops every 14 minutes.

Commissioned and presented by the Centre A Gallery (Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art) [Vancouver, January 23rd - March 28th]

PRESS COVERAGE