By Georgia Feldmanis December 11, 2015 / 17:43 HKT
Clet Abraham's Pacman street sign / Photo courtesy of Clet Abraham
If you’ve not yet visited Above Second Gallery to witness the fusion of works by two of today’s most vocal street artists, get a move on.
The Hide and Seek exhibition, which showcases the infamous works of Italian-based French street artist Clet Abraham and the Australian painter and photographer Miguel Marquez (aka Michael Pederson), ends next Saturday (Dec. 19).
Both artists play with our perceptions of everyday life. Rebels at heart, they tweak street signs and leave hidden messages around our cities to try and break social norms and to start subtle dialogues about social and political issues.
The exhibition unites these artists’ works in a light-hearted and playful way, encouraging viewers to play a child’s game in the complex cityscape of Hong Kong.
Marquez (a.k.a. Michael Pederson) is an Australian photographer and painter, who has spent the past two years hiding messages all over the Sydney’s diverse landscape.
Photo courtesy of Miguel Marquez
He plays with context by removing signs from their original settings and by giving them a new backdrop. His photographs integrate advertising and official signs into other areas of everyday life.
Classically trained Abraham is a French painter, sculptor and street artist, best known for his entertaining manipulation of street signs. His works are humorous to the naked eye, but often incorporate socio-political references or project anti-authoritarian messages.
Some of his most famous alterations include the crucified Christ on a dead-end sign, and the images of a policeman in love. His iconic signs speak to passers-by on the streets of Rome, Florence, Milan, Paris, New York, London, and Brussels, and now Hong Kong.
Abraham's signature stickers are currently dotted around Central, but he refrained from putting them up himself after a mission to decorate signs in Japan went horribly awry this year, according to the SCMP.
Above Second's director, May Wong, believes Hong Kong will be more receptive to Abraham's tongue in cheek designs, citing street artist Invader's popularity in the city. Abraham seemingly agrees, expressing that local street art has the ability to bridge cultural gaps.
"Hong Kong is [...] the cross of two cultures, Western and Oriental,” he said. “Street art will be the symbol of good integration between the two cultures."
What: Hide and Seek Exhibition
When: Thursday Nov. 26 - Saturday Dec. 19
Where: Above Second Gallery, 9 First Street, Sai Ying Pun
Price: Free
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2015/12/11/street-artists-invite-hongkongers-play-game-hide-and-seek
