PLASTIQUE KINETIC WORMS' sister art space in Hong Kong. YVONNE LEE tells us about Hong Kong�s alternative art space, PARA/SITE

We all know Hong Kong as a shopping and food paradise but Hong Kong has its Para/site as well. Nope, it is not a parasite that everyone dreads but a parasite that allows artists of all mediums to form a coalition for all sorts of reasons. At most major cities, affordable spaces for artists are hard to come by. Hong Kong is no exception. Indeed, the question of alternative space for artists not wishing to participate in the commercial market is one that bedevils most budding artists.

Para/Site was formed in 1996 by a group of artists residing in Hong Kong who, instead of exhibiting their works in conventional art galleries and museums, would rather like to create and exhibit in a space of their own. Also they could not afford rents demanded from available conventional galleries which cost as much as HK$30,000 (approx. S$7,150.00) a week. They only wanted to exhibit collectively in order to gain experience from mutual inspiration and interaction. Thus, they started a four-month long project entitled Artist-in-Western in an abandoned shop space Kennedy Town where three exhibitions were held. In April 1997, the group moved to Sheung Wan, where they are now situated. A few other artists joined the group after that. Anthony Leung, an artist involved in this year's ARX5 is one of them.

'The idea of alternative art space is nothing new,' says Warren Leung, one of the core members of Para/Site. �In a society where sophisticated art institutions and their clear appreciation for the arts exist, these institutions and their museums are the authority for 'taste' and 'culture'. Owing to the fear of such an authority and mystification, audience can be misled to believe that only real art exists in museum, revering only what those museums uphold, preach and treat as untouchable commodity, thus a real need for the 'alternative'.'

The artists in Para/Site do not curate most of the exhibitions held in the space but they are more concerned with presenting works which are not considered part of the mainstream in Hong Kong. Installation art is part of their main focus and the artists operate the space more so as an independent art space with two levels of exhibiting space and a library corner created for artists and members of the public to gather materials.

Para/Site is the brainchild of Warren Leung, Kith Tsang, Sara Wong, Phoebe Man, Leung Mee-ping, Lisa Cheung and Patrick Lee. They are interested in presenting installation and mixed media works, and, an alternative art space allows them the flexibilities not available in a conventional art space. Many of the artists involved got together because of a similar vision of working in an alternative space.

Para/Site holds ten exhibitions every year and the exhibitions include workshops, forums, performances and the involvement of different artists, and, at times, working with disabled children. Exhibitions of such widens the sense of visual art with the participation of different people and media. Their major aim continues to be the strengthening and consolidation of Para/Site's position as a highly professional independent visual arts organisation which seeks to develop new audiences for contemporary art in Hong Kong.

Para/Site is funded by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and they were granted HK$300,000 last year. The artists also organise fundraising events to help sustain the space. Though Para/Site managed to sell the art pieces, it remains a non-profit organization. For the past two years, Para/Site has been exhibiting works of members of the space or by invitation. But things will change come next May as Para/Site will open it's doors to fellow artists to exhibit in the space at HK$1,000 (approx. S$240.00) for the mezzanine and HK$1,500 (approx. S$360.00) for the ground floor gallery. Like Plastique Kinetic Worms in Singapore, the sum earned from the rental of the space is enough only to cover the administration and maintenance costs of the space.

According to Zoe Li, the only full-time member running the space, members of Para/Site are constantly working to establish Para/Site as a contemporary visual art space. There is the flexibility to show non-commercial, experimental work and the artists who are involved in the space, are committed to working for the arts in Hong Kong.

Para/Site is a rare opportunity for those who have never entered a museum or gallery to meet the artists. It is indeed encouraging and gratifying for Para/Site to be able to involve themselves with the community which certainly helps to promote mutual understanding and a step toward the required communication.

Art is what Para/Site is about and whatever th