The Hong Kong Art Scene

I still have a hard time to understand art and culture in Hong Kong. There are very few art galleries, theatre and concerts are limited and even cinema can be a frustrating experience.

Mainly Hollywood films or big loval productions make it to the screen in Hong Kong. If you like more "arty" movies, you'd better try to buy them on the streets. Moreover, the afficionado may dispair at phones ringing (and people answering!) right in the middle of the movie. If you are desperate enough to try Causeway Bay cinemas on Saturday night, you may even experience people getting up and chatting during the projection.

I was still amazed, however, at the lack of interest to concerts and operas. I have not attended many, but left always with the feeling that people were there to be seen, rather than see. Just recently I've seen two performances sponsored by the French Consulate for Le French May. The first one, a concert by the Lille Ochestra, was completely empty. Strange in a city where the crème de la crème likes to proudly show their love for classical music.
Yesterday was a different story. The theatre was full for Romeo & Juliette, by Gounod. Well, that is, full after the second or third act. At least fifty people were late and noisily made their way in. Theatre staff did their best to contain the damage, not very successfully.
If Hong Kong were vibrant with an incredible local culture, this would be understandible. It is, unfortunately, not the case. The best place to find Chinese art, for example, are the galleries on Hollywood road. All with (an expensive) price tag and if you make that kind of money, you may even take it home...