Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) is presenting the annual HKMU Creative Arts Graduation Show from today until 24 July on its Jockey Club Campus. This year’s Graduation Show, themed “SOON. TO BE”, showcases about 140 works by over 250 Creative Arts graduates. Their creative artworks are in a variety of formats, including animations, short videos, interactive installations, photography works and advertising campaigns. Apart from state-of-the-art technologies adopted in some of the projects, the theme of the artworks demonstrates the students' concern for society.

An opening ceremony and screening were held last Friday (15 July). The officiating guests included Legislative Councillor the Hon. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre Prof. Eric C. Yim, HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Provost Prof. Reggie Kwan Ching-ping, Vice President (Resources and Development) Prof. Lui Yu-hon, Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung, Head of Creative Arts cum Associate Professor of the School of Arts and Social Sciences Dr Rebecca Leung Mo-ling, Organizing Committee Chairman of the HKMU Graduation Show of Creative Arts Dr William Lai Chi-fu, and Student Organizing Committee Chairman of the HKMU Graduation Show of Creative Arts Raymond Chiu Ho-man.

Addressing the ceremony, Raymond Chiu Ho-man, Student Organizing Committee Chairman of the HKMU Graduation Show of Creative Arts, explained the meaning of the theme of this year's Graduation Show: “The 'SOON' in ‘SOON. TO BE’ refers to things that will happen soon. While it represents the rolling out of the Graduation Show, it also means that graduates will enter the workforce soon. 'TO BE', on the other hand, poses a question to all students, asking ourselves who we want to be.” Raymond said that when preparing for the show, they wanted to demonstrate to the public the latest trends and technologies in the creative art world, such as Virtual Reality (VR), the metaverse and cryptocurrency. These elements have been incorporated into the exhibition this year, including various interactive photo-taking spots that apply Augmented Reality (AR) technology.

All the exhibited artworks were created by students in the five programmes of the Creative Arts Department of the School of Arts and Social Sciences: Creative Advertising and Media Design, Creative Writing and Film Arts, Animation and Visual Effects, Imaging Design and Digital Art, and Computing and Interactive Entertainment. The Graduation Show serves not only as a platform to showcase the learning outcomes of the students, but also as a demonstration of students' creativity and passion for art to the public.

Many works this year reflect the students' concern about social issues. An animation project by students in the Animation and Visual Effects programme, titled The White Hair Boy, tells the story of a boy with albinism who overcomes his obstacles in a mystical world. Students in the Computing and Interactive Entertainment programme collaborated with occupational therapists and designed a rehabilitation game for mild stroke patients using virtual reality (VR) technology. Nobody, a documentary produced by a Creative Writing and Film Arts student, recorded the daily operations of an animal rescue organization and revealed why the organization continues its work despite the lack of funding and resources.

Other inspirational creative works include the Daai Da Bin Lo MR (Mixed Reality) Game, which was produced by students in the Computing and Interactive Entertainment programme. Working with the local board game designers of Daai Da Bin Lo, they incorporated innovative MR technology into the traditional board game. Students in the Creative Advertising and Media Design programme created a series of ads for the brand Strepsils. The series, named Strepsils helps you speak up, links the loss of voice due to sore throat to various scenes in daily life. A microfilm produced by Imaging Design and Digital Art students, titled Love End After Music, illustrates the dilemma faced by a young couple under the new mass migration wave.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the Graduation Show. Admission is free.
The details are as follows:

Exhibition period: Today until 24 July
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Venue: Jockey Club Campus, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, 81 Chung Hau Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon
Event website: https://www.facebook.com/HKMU.CA.Gradshow/
Online registration: https://bit.ly/3usRWwS