The Collector | Why the secrecy surrounding first art show at historic Hong Kong police station?

Is it an exhibition? An artistic exercise? A rehearsal? Or simply a PR disaster? Whatever it is, the latest event held at Tai Kwun – also known as the Central Police Station Revitalisation Project – is something the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which runs the space, does not want local media (or you) to know about.

The Collector stumbled upon this mysterious group art exhibition in infor­mation sent out by Sutton, the public relations company, regarding British conceptual artist Ceal Floyer’s participation in “the inaugural exhibition of Old Bailey Galleries on Wednesday 28th March”. (Floyer is represented by Lisson Gallery, a client of Sutton.)

Old Bailey Galleries, now named Tai Kwun Contemporary, is located where Staunton Street meets Old Bailey Street. It is a major component of the multibillion-dollar heritage conservation and revitalisation project. But we have been repeatedly told by the Jockey Club that the new art space – and, indeed, Tai Kwun – would not be officially opening until later this year.

Intrigued, The Collector made inquiries with both Sutton and the Jockey Club’s publicity machinery – their replies only deepened the mystery. According to Sutton, after a company representative checked with Lisson Gallery, “there’s no such exhibition on 28 March at Tai Kwun at all”, and they apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The Jockey Club’s official reply is more vague, if not without a hint of irony: “Subject to works completion and government approvals, we target to open parts of the Central Police Station Compound in mid-2018. Details on the opening will be announced in due course.

“We shall continue to maintain ongoing communication and engagement with our stakeholders throughout the revitalisation process.”