HKETO Jakarta Showcases Hong Kong’s Creative Talent at Art Toy Event
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) promotes Hong Kong’s creative talent in Indonesia. They supported Hong Kong designers and comic artists at the “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2024@Jakarta” event, which runs from November 15 to 24 in Jakarta.
The event features over 330 art toy creations by Hong Kong designers. It includes a special section showcasing new art toys created through the collaboration of six Hong Kong designers and six comic artists.
Miss Libera Cheng, Director-General of HKETO Jakarta, spoke at the opening ceremony on November 16. She emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a center for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government supports measures to enhance these exchanges.
How does the CreateSmart Initiative support artists and designers in Hong Kong?
Interview with Miss Libera Cheng, Director-General of HKETO Jakarta
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us, Miss Cheng. Can you tell us about your role in promoting Hong Kong’s creative talent in Indonesia?
Miss Libera Cheng: Thank you for having me. At the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, we actively promote Hong Kong’s creative industries and cultural exchanges. One of our significant initiatives is supporting events like “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2024@Jakarta,” which showcases the innovative spirit of Hong Kong designers and comic artists. This event is a fantastic platform to foster relationships and cultural appreciation between Hong Kong and Indonesia.
News Directory 3: The “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2024” event features over 330 art toy creations. What makes these creations unique?
Miss Libera Cheng: The art toys showcased at this event reflect the rich creativity and artistic expression of Hong Kong’s designers. Each piece tells a story, embodying the fusion of traditional and contemporary influences. Particularly exciting is the special collaboration between six Hong Kong designers and six comic artists, which adds a dynamic element to the exhibition. This collaboration not only enhances the artworks but also bridges different artistic disciplines.
News Directory 3: You mentioned the importance of cultural exchange. Can you elaborate on Hong Kong’s role in this context?
Miss Libera Cheng: Under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is positioned as a key player in international cultural exchanges. We believe that cultural collaboration enhances mutual understanding and appreciation among diverse communities. The support from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government reinforces this mission, facilitating projects and collaborations that promote creativity and innovation on a global scale.
News Directory 3: This event is the second major exhibition funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) along the Belt and Road Initiative. What does this support mean for Hong Kong’s creative industries?
Miss Libera Cheng: The funding from CCIDA signifies the strong commitment of the HKSAR Government to foster and develop our creative industries. By organizing exhibitions and industry missions, we aim to position Hong Kong as a hub for cultural and creative innovation. The continued support for initiatives like these shows that we are serious about nurturing our local talent and expanding our reach internationally.
News Directory 3: How does the CreateSmart Initiative align with your efforts in supporting creative industries?
Miss Libera Cheng: The CreateSmart Initiative is pivotal in our strategy to support the creative industries in Hong Kong. It aims to cultivate projects with growth potential and provide resources for creatives to flourish. By fostering a supportive ecosystem, we are helping to position Hong Kong as Asia’s Creative Capital and enabling our artists and designers to thrive on both local and global stages.
News Directory 3: What message would you like to convey to the audience attending the event?
Miss Libera Cheng: I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in the creativity and passion that these art toys represent. Each piece is not just a toy; it is a manifestation of cultural stories and artistic visions. Through this event, we hope to inspire greater appreciation for the creative arts and forge deeper ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Miss Cheng, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of your efforts on the creative scene in Hong Kong and beyond.
Miss Libera Cheng: Thank you! It has been a pleasure discussing these exciting developments. We are eager to see the ongoing growth of our creative industries and the cultural exchanges that will shape our futures.
This event marks the second major exhibition funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. The previous event was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2022. To boost Hong Kong’s creative industries, CCIDA will fund 60 industry mission trips and exhibitions annually.
Cheng noted the HKSAR Government’s commitment to developing Hong Kong’s creative industries through the CreateSmart Initiative. This initiative aims to cultivate projects with potential for growth, positioning Hong Kong as Asia’s Creative Capital.