logo
Young Hong Kong residents apply modern touches to preserve traditional crafts, attract new crowds

Young Hong Kong residents apply modern touches to preserve traditional crafts, attract new crowds

CNA5 days ago
HONG KONG: A new generation of Hong Kong residents is giving traditional crafts a modern revival, using technology and creative applications to ensure age-old practices continue to thrive beyond the legacy of old master artisans.
Among them is 32-year-old architect Nick Tsao, who is reviving the folk art of paper cutting by fusing it with his design know-how.
'Paper cutting is a folk art … it is something that you're supposed to learn at home, through your mother or through a grandmother. Unfortunately, they didn't pass down this skill to me,' he added.
Instead, he turned to the skills he honed while studying architecture.
'I was building models … and cutting a lot of paper and card … then building things in 3D and mostly hand cutting with a penknife,' he added.
Tsao began his paper-cutting venture after he wanted more unique Chinese New Year zodiac animal decorations, leading him to expand the use of his paper cutting techniques.
He started producing and selling the zodiac paper cutting crafts publicly four years back. A year ago, he left his corporate job to pursue it full time.
Tsao is currently working with international brands such as Dior and apparel retailer Lululemon, moving beyond paper products but also conducting workshops for their clients.
'Outside of Chinese New Year, I would collaborate with luxury brands, clothing stores, to help them design workshops that their VIP guests can come and experience rather than just giving out gifts.'
Even though he was not trained through traditional lineage, Tsao believes his work keeps the spirit of the craft alive.
'I try to embody parts of the traditional crafts by bringing it into new media, by adding contemporary philosophies, design concepts into a fading industry,' he said.
Through his work, Tsao said he also hopes people will recognise that 'paper cutting as a traditional craft is very strong in Chinese culture, but also in many other cultures".
He noted that it is like taking something that is very cheap and very easy to access, like paper, and creating art that is not specific to a certain location.
Tsao added that anyone can incorporate these ideas and create something new.
As a young creative entrepreneur, Tsao said he does not shy away from using technology.
'I like incorporating the use of machines … design software because of my architecture background. I think people feel like AI is a type of threat to art making, but you could choose to do things," he added.
"You can either stick to very traditional means and make everything like it was years ago or you can start to learn more about these technologies and see how they can help you.'
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND REVIVAL
Experts said that for traditional crafts to survive, they must be relevant in today's world.
Professor Henry Duh, associate dean of global and industry engagement at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's (PolyU) School of Design, stressed the importance of adapting to societal changes.
'We can still use the traditional way to preserve cultural heritage … but it's slow and a bit harder to trigger (the) young generation's interest ... That's why I think digital technology will be able to promote (and) trigger their interest,' he added.
PolyU has received funding this year to revitalise the city's traditional arts and promote digital transformation of its culture industry.
It is the first tertiary institution in the city to receive funding from the China National Arts Fund. The fund, which opened to applicants in Hong Kong and Macau in 2021, promotes development of arts and culture by supporting local artistic talents.
PhD students at PolyU have managed to capture a porcelain paint master's techniques using generative AI.
Duh said: 'One of the masters (thought of) new technology to quickly trigger the kids' attention and interest … and reduce the process into simple, interesting steps.'
He noted that using a 3D space to replicate the process allowed apprentices or younger people to observe the workflow from different angles, compared to video.
With fewer master artisans, technology has become more important in the preservation process.
"Some masters … may not be able to describe the process precisely or using terminology (that the) younger generation can understand. Using digital technology or virtual reality to visualise the process … will be easier,' he said.
VIRTUAL REALITY
Virtual reality (VR) also allows learners of a traditional craft to gain skills without being constrained by old craftsmen's physical availability.
PolyU students have also used AI to create a 'digital human' from the fast-disappearing indigenous Tanka group, known as boat dwellers, to share their history and experiences.
The interactive nature of the project could generate interest in such cultures by young people, said PhD student Yue Xu.
'A lot of culture and art pieces are disappearing … for me I think that technology can help to digitalise these things,' he added.
VR tools are also used by museums like the Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre.
It is also working with PolyU on a VR project to allow people who are interested in learning about Hong Kong's traditions to experience its exhibits virtually.
It features more than 40 different traditions, cultures and crafts synonymous with Hong Kong.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre is using technology to reach out to younger members of the population, strengthening its goal of preserving Hong Kong's history and techniques of the city's traditional crafts, according to its curator Celia Shum.
'We can make use of interactive programmes … (like) some QR codes for audio guides to (inform) … the public,' she said.
Shum added that many young people are keen to know more about the city's cultural heritage.
'They mentioned to us (that they joined the) programmes and have the opportunity to know more about the techniques,' she said.
The project is slated for launch in libraries and schools by the end of next year, bringing the city's traditional crafts and culture closer to the people.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South Korea seeks mutually agreeable US trade package as Aug 1 tariff deadline looms
South Korea seeks mutually agreeable US trade package as Aug 1 tariff deadline looms

CNA

time7 hours ago

  • CNA

South Korea seeks mutually agreeable US trade package as Aug 1 tariff deadline looms

SEOUL: South Korea will prepare a trade package that is mutually agreeable with the United States ahead of minister-level meetings planned next week and a US tariff-pause deadline of Aug 1, the presidential office said on Saturday (Jul 26). The package will include shipbuilding cooperation, a sector of high interest to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who discussed the matter with South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan on Friday, it said in a statement. Friday's meeting was a follow-up to a meeting on Thursday, where Lutnick and Kim reaffirmed their commitment to reach a trade deal by Aug 1, after a joint meeting of finance ministers and top trade envoys that had been scheduled for Friday was postponed. South Korea, facing 25 per cent tariffs, is rushing to reach a trade deal with Washington, with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac visiting the US recently for high-level talks and Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo also in the US for negotiations, as pressure grows on officials to clinch a deal that is no worse than Japan's that cut tariffs to 15 per cent. South Korea's trade negotiations with the US have included non-tariff barriers in the agricultural and digital service sectors, but foreign exchange has not been part of trade talks beyond usual consultations, according to South Korean officials. US President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday for bilateral talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, which could yield a trade deal with the European Union, after making a deal earlier this week with Japan and the Philippines. Next week, US officials will hold a new round of trade talks with China in Sweden for an extension to a separate deadline of Aug 12 set between the two countries. South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will also hold meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and State Secretary Marco Rubio, respectively, next week.

China's Premier Li Qiang proposes global AI cooperation organisation
China's Premier Li Qiang proposes global AI cooperation organisation

CNA

time11 hours ago

  • CNA

China's Premier Li Qiang proposes global AI cooperation organisation

SHANGHAI: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday (Jul 26) proposed establishing an organisation to foster global cooperation on artificial intelligence, calling on countries to coordinate on the development and security of the fast-evolving technology. Speaking at the opening of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li called AI a new engine for growth, but added that governance is fragmented and emphasised the need for more coordination between countries to form a globally recognised framework for AI. The three-day event brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the United States - the world's two largest economies - with AI emerging as a key battleground. "Currently, overall global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences, particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts, institutional rules," Li said. "We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible," he said. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including the most high-end AI chips made by companies such as Nvidia and chipmaking equipment, citing concerns that the technology could enhance China's military capabilities. Despite these restrictions, China has continued making AI breakthroughs that have drawn close scrutiny from US officials. Li did not name the United States in his speech, but he warned that AI could become an "exclusive game" for a few countries and companies, and said challenges included an insufficient supply of AI chips and restrictions on talent exchange. China wanted to share its development experience and products with other countries, especially those in the Global South, Li said. WAIC is an annual government-sponsored event in Shanghai that typically attracts major industry players, government officials, researchers and investors. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has in past years regularly appeared at the opening ceremony both in-person and via video, did not speak this year. Besides forums, the conference also features exhibitions where companies demonstrate their latest innovations. This year, more than 800 companies are participating, showcasing more than 3,000 high-tech products, 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices and 60 intelligent robots, according to organisers. The exhibition features predominantly Chinese companies, including tech giants Huawei and Alibaba and startups such as humanoid robot maker Unitree. Western participants include Tesla, Alphabet and Amazon.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store