Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot | 'Art • Tech' Exhibition 3.0 Grand Finale Theme Exhibition 'Ding Lab' presented by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council

Description

 The 'Art • Tech' Exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) will soon present its grand finale theme exhibition 'Ding Lab', following the well-received first theme exhibition 'Lighthouse'. Through multimedia art installations, the public is invited to rediscover the cultural significance of trams and explore their evolution amidst the city's constant transformation.

Conceived and curated by local artist collective Foreseen Agency (Pinky Pig and Chan Ka-zhi), 'Ding Lab' will be unveiled from 7 to 28 November 2025. It will take the audience on a unique urban journey, starting from the Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot and travelling through Central and Western District, with the Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade as the final destination. This work combines artificial intelligence, LED installations, real-time imaging, sculptures and interactive installations, prompting participants to reflect on the future of the city while evoking collective memories. Every turn of the wheel marks the beginning of a new journey, weaving together dreams and legacies that propel Hong Kong's story forward.

A Journey Towards the Future: Immersive Public Art Installation of a Double-decker Tram Lands at Belcher Bay

The exhibition centres on the future tram 'Tram0', reimagining it as a cyborg that merges biotechnology and mechanical structures through an artistic experiment. For over a century, Hong Kong's iconic trams, designed and built locally, have borne witness to the city's ever-changing landscape, remaining a symbol of 'Made in Hong Kong'. 'Ding Lab' interprets the tram's ecological system from an anthropological perspective, envisioning 'Tram0' as a prototype of a future仿生電車. Audiences can board the modified double-decker tram for a 45-minute journey through the city's collective memory, paying homage to its past splendour while envisioning its future.

Stepping into the lower deck, audiences will find themselves within the Disk Defragmentation Program. This work integrates artificial intelligence cameras, metal and acrylic sculptures, and multiple screens, drawing on the framework of schema theory in cognitive psychology to explore how individuals utilise existing knowledge structures to organise and reconstruct personal memory databases, ultimately conceptualising the '仿生電⾞' in artistic imagination. Visually, the installation resembles a giant spine or a nervous system, composed of sixteen screens arranged in sequence, penetrating the interior of the tram. Each screen displays real-time footage of the street in front of the tram, with a few seconds of delay for each frame, creating a layered visual effect that simulates a tram driver's predictive instincts.

On the upper deck, audiences will encounter Green Erosion, a multi-sensory experience that blends AI-generated imagery, LED installations, and a four-channel colour video and audio recording. Set in the future year of 2066, where self-aware AI tram systems have entirely replaced traditional trams, and the 'green' that once symbolised the city's landscape has faded away. One day, an AI tram prototype named 'Tram0' discovers notes about the 'green' in its ancestor's diary and embarks on a journey to find this lost colour. The story is presented in the short film Green Erosion, seen through the eyes of 'Tram0', uncovering the connection between objective data and intangible memories, revealing the sense of identity and cultural heritage within Hong Kong's collective memory, and further examining the value of nostalgia in modern society.

The future tram also incorporates interactive elements, offering a nostalgic yet innovative experience with Little Green, reminiscent of the handheld digital pet toys popular in the 1990s. Players can nurture 'Little Green' by completing various tasks, advancing the '小電⾞' through its growth journey. Little Green opens up infinite possibilities for the tram's future development, exploring virtual worlds to address land scarcity and shifting public management responsibilities to individual owners.

The journey concludes at the Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade, where the resin sculpture Stranded Matter awaits. The Sai Wan coastline once served as a unique intersection between the South China Sea and the tram tracks along the shore, but land reclamation gradually altered the coastline, severing the connection between the rolling waves and the tram's chiming bells. This artwork, resembling a wave stranded on the shore, depicts the tram's distinct connection to both land and sea, offering a reinterpretation of the tram's origin story and narrating the symbiotic relationship between nature and machinery. The sculpture's location by the coastline symbolises the tension between retracing the tram's trajectory and returning to the open sea, prompting viewers to reflect on history and reconnect with the past's lost associations.

Wong Wing-shan (Pinky Pig), artist from Foreseen Agency, expresses: 'This project began with field research, aiming to capture the voices and experiences of the tram depot workers, some of whom have worked there for decades and witnessed the tram's evolution. I recall asking a painter about the green paint they used in the past. His process of recalling, connecting, and depicting memories inspired this entire project. I am proud that this project collaborates with the workers who keep the system running, co-imagining a different future. I have learned a lot from them – not just technical skills but also their philosophical insights. I believe we can learn even more from them.'

Chan Ka-zhi, artist from Foreseen Agency, adds: 'One of our most profound observations was the existence of a central control room in the tram depot, equipped with advanced systems to monitor the location and operation of each tram in real-time and provide instant feedback. I vividly remember Tram Captain Chak's sharing: while trams are capable of high-speed driving, the driver must constantly observe road conditions and act accordingly. However, there is a slight delay from receiving instructions to the tram coming to a complete stop. This insight inspired us to liken a tram, or even the entire tram network, to a living creature with a complete nervous system. Thus, we chose to approach 'Ding Lab' from the perspective of imagining a tram as a cyborg.'

Professor Eric Yeung, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, remarks: 'HKADC has always believed in nurturing innovation through creativity, driving cultural development at the intersection of art and technology. This project enables our artists to explore endless possibilities, reinterpret the story of this iconic mode of transport from the perspectives of art and technology. We are thrilled to present 'Ding Lab', a work that embodies experimental spirit, to the public. This exhibition not only showcases Hong Kong's rich cultural heritage and collective memory but also invites artists to envision the tram's future chapters – contemplating the paths it has led us through and the directions it will take us towards.'

During the exhibition, the public can participate in a range of engaging activities, including guided tours, workshops, and seminars, encouraging deeper exploration of multiple facets of human cognition, urban cultural heritage, and technological innovation.

Limited quota, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now: https://www.popticket.hk/ding-lab.

Event Details: 'Ding Lab'
Artists: Foreseen Agency
Date: 7 – 28 November 2025
Venue: Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot (Entrance at the junction of Davis Street and Des Voeux Road West) and Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade

1. Tram0: Future Tram
Trams, eternal vessels carrying countless memories, navigate us through this ever-changing city day after day. As time flows, a century quietly passes, and trams continue to witness the city's evolving people, architecture, and environment. 'Ding Lab' draws inspiration from the cultural significance of trams, reimagining them as a living organism born from the intersection of urbanisation and tradition, art and technology – the 'Tram0'. This future tram will soon embark on a trial run in the Western District. Join us on board the 'Tram0' for a journey through the city and a voyage of ideas. As the wheels turn, future visions intertwine with reminiscences, and the city's story continues to unfold.

Date: 8 – 28 November 2025
Quota: 12 pax/session

i. 'Tram0': Future Tram – Weekday Guided Tour | Standard Experience Package
Led by a docent, this tour invites you to savour the stories of the future tram and the city at a leisurely pace, allowing you to explore the art installations and tram culture independently. Weekday tours do not include souvenirs or guided tours of the Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade. You are welcome to explore the promenade on your own.

Date: Every Tuesday to Friday
Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
Fee: HK$30
Assembly Point: Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot (Entrance at the junction of Davis Street and Des Voeux Road West)

Timetable and Sessions: (Boarding: Tram Depot > Alighting: 'Somerset Road' Tram Stop)

Session / Assembly Time / Departure Time
(1) 14:45　15:00
(2) 16:10　16:25
(3) 17:35　17:50
(4) 19:00　19:15

ii. 'Tram0': Future Tram Weekend Guided Tour | Claim Your Future Tram
Starting from the Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot, this tour takes you through the city's everyday scenes, concluding at the Kennedy Town Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade. Led by a docent, some sessions will feature artist or special guest Leung Chin-fung, who will reveal the stories and creative concepts behind the exhibition.

The experience includes 'Little Green', a digital tram pet. Claim and nurture your very own future tram! Exclusive to weekend participants, limited quantity, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Date: Every Saturday and Sunday
Duration: 60 – 75 minutes
Fee: HK$80 (including a set of souvenirs)
Assembly Point: Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot (Entrance at the junction of Davis Street and Des Voeux Road West)

Timetable and Sessions: (Boarding: Tram Depot > Alighting: 'Somerset Road' Tram Stop > Proceeding to: Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade)

Session / Assembly Time / Departure Time
(1) 13:45　14:00
(2) 15:10　15:25
(3) 16:35　16:50
(4) 18:00　18:15
(5) 19:25　19:40

2. Ding Ding! Tram Depot 3D Scanning Workshop (Programme Partner: Ding Ding Tech)
In collaboration with Ding Ding Tech, the 'Ding Ding! Tram Depot 3D Scanning Workshop' will guide participants in operating 3D scanning tools, exploring the usually inaccessible tram depot and selecting areas or objects of interest to scan and transform into three-dimensional digital models. During this 1.5-hour workshop, participants can unleash their creativity, seamlessly blending innovative technology with the century-old tram culture.

Date: 16 November 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 1st Session: 12:00 – 13:30
2nd Session: 15:00 – 16:30
Target Participants: Primary 3 to Secondary 4 Students
Quota: 30 pax/session
Fee: Free (HK$100 deposit; full refund upon completion of the activity)
Assembly Point: Sai Wan Kennedy Town Des Voeux Road West Tram Depot (Entrance at the junction of Davis Street and Des Voeux Road West)

3. 'Tram0' Symposium: Field Research, Creation, and Narrative Frameworks
Led by Foreseen Agency, this symposium delves into the creative process behind 'Tram0', a future tram inspired by urban metamorphosis and sustainable development. The artists will share how they conducted field research and engaged in conversations with various tram workers and drivers in Hong Kong, shaping their anthropological research methodology and theoretical perspectives.

The symposium will explore how they combined contemporary technology and mechanical aesthetics to develop a forward-looking narrative framework and reflect on the impact of 'Tram0's' bionic system on the concept of urban heritage from a philosophy of technology perspective. Join us to contemplate the essence of the city as a dynamic and ever-evolving system, seeking a balance between preserving history and embracing a sustainable future.

Date: 15 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 16:00 – 17:00
Speakers: Foreseen Agency - Wong Wing-shan (Pinky Pig), Chan Ka-zhi
Quota: 30 pax
Fee: Free (HK$30 deposit; full refund upon completion of the activity)
Venue: Forum, 9/F, eslite Spectrum, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay