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

• "越界/粵界" Ming Pao Canada, January 24, 2015.
• “(transgression/cantosphere) @ Centre A”,  Vandocument, January 28, 2015.
• “Hong Kong Exile is Hot”, Tim Carlson, Theatre Conspiracy.
• “Cantonese Indifference: The Language of Chinatown”, Irene Lo, Vandocument, January 31, 2015.
• “New art exhibit transgression/cantosphere explores a language under threat”, Chloë Lai, The Ubyssey, February 5, 2015.
• “3 Awesome Things to do in Chinatown after the Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade”, Megan Lau, Hua Foundation, February 17, 2015.
• “Chinatown’s Last Stand”, Kelsey Klassen, The Westender, February 18, 2015.
• “Vancouver’s Chinatown Faces Changes and Challenges”, Kelsey Klassen, Vancouver Courier, February 19, 2015.
• “New Exhibit Provides Thought-Provoking Take on Cantonese Language”, Florence Hwang, The Source, Vol. 15 Issue 14, February 24 – March 10, 2015.