Excessive Enthusiasm: the Archive as Practice by Ha Bik Chuen

Excessive Enthusiasm: Ha Bik Chuen and the Archive as Practice is an exhibition in the AAA library stemming from our ongoing research into the archive of Ha Bik Chuen (1925-2009). A Hong Kong-based artist primarily known as a sculptor and printmaker, he also had parallel practices: from photographing exhibitions he attended, to collecting materials such as illustrated magazines and artist portraits, and using these to construct book collages. A selection of materials, self-organised using an idiosyncratic system dating back to the 1960s through to the late 2000s, will be featured in the exhibition.

According to his family’s wish that these materials be made available for public use and research, Asia Art Archive has initiated a pilot project stretching over the next two years, including select materials from Ha’s personal archive that will be shared, and in various manifestations both physically and digitally.

Two public programmes organised by local cultural practioner Lau Kin Wah will take place during the exhibition through AAA’s Hong Kong Conversations series, with more details to come.