Experimenta

As the name implies, EXPERIMENTA is founded on the ideologies of experimentation, creative process, and open dialogue across a variety of art forms and styles. Our most fundamental conviction is that artistic experimentation results in the most prolific artwork, which in turn has the potential to transform and enlighten individuals and communities; the result is ultimately, progress. EXPERIMENTA was voted as one of Hong Kong’s top ten art space & galleries in May 2013 by the Culture Trip in the UK.

As a small non-profit organization with free-lance staffing structure, we pride ourselves in maintaining an inviting space for artists particularly from Hong Kong and China, but also from countries all over the world, to imagine and develop their visions without artistic constraint.  The unbridled creativity combined with strong advisory and curatorial mentorship, makes EXPERIMENTA an increasingly valuable place for artists. It is our aim to steadfastly maintain the character that distinguishes us and allows us to enable and foster innovative collaboration as well as constructive feedback. We aim to engage the public with the unique voices and fertile thematic content that our affiliated artists-past, present, and future- have explored and will research in depth.

AREAS OF INTEREST

I. Film and Live Media

EXPERIMENTA functions as a platform for experimental and narrative, motion picture filmmakers.  Over our combined 20-year experience in the Hong Kong and overseas film and media industry, it seems some of the most innovative narrative styles and montages originate from both experimental and narrative styles. As such, we operate from our supported conviction that the talents from both approaches would benefit from a robust point of intersection and dialogue.  Our organization provides the space and opportunity for experimental and narrative filmmakers to experience each other’s work in a non-judgmental, open environment in order to achieve a productive juncture for collaboration and learning.

A particular highlight of EXPERIMENTA is our enthusiastic support for indie filmmakers and video artists at all stages of their professional development. We also encourage amateur artists as well as students to attend workshops or screenings as a proactive stance on multi-faceted artistic training and cultural learning in general. The inclusive nature of the film/live media exhibitions and activities facilitates authentic dialogue about important topics. Furthermore, because of the variety of backgrounds, levels, and voices, there is a true potential for peer-centered education and networking for collaborative opportunity.

Apart from demonstrating our desire to support filmmaking and live media on a general and collaborative basis, we also endeavor to focus attention to particularly superior filmmaking in terms of theme, content, cinematography, or editing. In this vein, EXPERIMENTA is the host and sponsor of the Pineapple Underground Film Festival (PUFF): an independent film festival showcasing the passion and skills of indie filmmakers and artists around the world.  2013 will feature more than 72 feature and short films from over 23 countries : Israel, Chile, Brazil, UK, France, Spain, USA, Mexico, Iran, Japan, China and Hong Kong. The films will be in 6 categories: feature film, no-budget features, documentary, short film, animation and visual & sound performance and were chosen specifically because of high quality contribution to the field that may not necessarily be recognized on mainstream or commercial echelons.

II. Visual Arts Exhibitions

EXPERIMENTA produced and co-curated 6 exhibitions in 2013. Experimenta invites artists with an attitude and who are highly dedicated to their arts; they are from Hong Kong, China, Korea, Australia, Japan, Portugal, France, Brazil, Chile, Romania and the USA.

III. Artist-in-Residency Programme

The EXPERIMENTA venue was created with artists- in- residency in mind. We have a fully functioning space for artists to reside in as well as work within. As a result, we have the ability to invite artists from around the world to stay and work in Hong Kong for a period of 7 days to 4 weeks. ( We apologize to announce that we will not be running the residency program in 2014- 2015 )

IV. Women in Media (WIM) Monthly Dialogue Series

In 2013, EXPERIMENTA will be co-producing this monthly podcast and live event series devoted to dialogues surrounding gender issues in Hong Kong and Asia. Guest moderators from a variety of backgrounds will be invited to touch upon the month’s most relevant and topical issues.

Experimenta in the press

By Melissa Pearce, UK May 2013 Culture Trip

Top Ten Galleries in Hong Kong

Experimenta

Featuring conceptual artists, Experimenta focuses on digital media and often features internet-based art, or art which questions our communications with one another via technological means. This video and film art space seeks to make viewers aware of the current political and sociological issues, and presents video artists from all over the world. In an attempt to broaden the horizons of the international public, they supply the means for filmmakers to maintain creative control of their works.

The Personal and The Political by Lam Hoi Sin and Wong See Yuen: April 19 – May 8 2013

Lam Hoi Sin and Wong See Yuen will disrupt the gallery space with their exhibition, which attacks the current patriarchy within which we exist. By interacting with the spectator, works observe such cultural trends as online dating and the ways in which they reinforce misplaced gender roles and the illusion of gender equality in society.