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Meet'n Meal
Meet'n Meal
Hong Kong
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Meet'n Meal
Hong Kong
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
$10K - 50K
MEMORIES REGATHERED AT YIM TIN TSAI:
VILLAGERS’ ORAL MEMORIES AND RICH HISTORIES OF YIM TIN TSAI INSPIRED O&O STUDIO AND REHYPHENATION’S SECOND COLLABORATION, MEET’N MEAL, SHOWCASING A REUNION OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC HAKKA VILLAGE.
BACKGROUND
Tourism Commission has launched a three-year pilot tourism project in 2022 called Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival to diversify the tourism offerings and enrich local and non-local visitors’ experience, blending the rich history, local culture, heritage and natural environment of Sai Kung Hoi with Hong Kong’s creativity and arts atmosphere. Hong Kong firms O&O Studio (O&O) and REHyphenation were commissioned to design one of the new art installation in Yim Tin Tsai, “Meet’n Meal”, where it will stayed on the island as a gift to the villagers to continuing promoting the revitalization of the Hakka island.
Exhibited for two months from 13th November 2024 to 12th January 2025, “Meet’n Meal” is a reflection of the Hakka village characteristics. It captures the villagers’ use of natural ingredients gifted by the surrounding environment and the creation of food dishes that summarise each families’ hard working day, as well as presenting a narrative of the of this Catholic Hakka village history from the past to the present.
Architects Eric Chan and Suzanne Li established O&O in 2018, returning to their hometown of Hong Kong after working in Shanghai and London. Joyce Fok of REHyphenation teaches visual arts. Chan and Fok volunteer with NGO Hong Kong Public Space Initiative where they share community building aspirations. The three’s community engaging public space art installation design in 2021, “Siu Kai Fong”, received enormous success. Collaborating again in 2024, the team strives to continuing with the same design philosophy, explore new Hakka elements on the island and transform them into a valuable and heartfelt art installation, “Meet’n Meal”
JOY AGAIN, GATHER
Yim Tin Tsai, a tranquil 0.31km2 island, houses the Hakkas of the Chan family where all the baptised villagers made a living by salt-making, fishing, farming, and breeding. Following the repercussions of urbanisation on rural settlements, most villagers moved to the city or abroad. By 1998, Yim Tin Tsai officially became an uninhabited island. However, some started coming back to Yim Tin Tsai to revitalise and develop the cultural and eco-tourism of the island. Coming to its third year, the sub-theme of this year’s Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival is “Joy Again, Gather”. Upon repeated visits and interviews with the villagers as well as research on the island’s history, the team has drawn upon the unique Hakka cuisine to illustrate the significance of gathering, as well as highlighting the importance of meals within Chinese family culture.
Yim Tin Tsai is home to three clans, descending from the three brothers who originally settled there. Today, several historic village houses stand as reminders of the past. According to the village’s chief, a particular lane originally belonged to one of the clans, with only a front wall ruin remains today that symbolises the village's historical evolution. The design team has selected the front yard of this historic wall as the site for the art installation.
The installation features a circular table made of steel framing, glass fibre and stone texture paint, where its white colour is inspired by the island’s iconic salt pan which serves as one of the main ingredients in the dishes. The table's round shape signifies an invitation for communities’ participation. Additionally, inspired by the Chinese Hieroglyph of the word "HOME家" the design evokes the old village house wall that shelters the poultry in the yard. The character of "PIG豕" is creatively integrated into the table design, inviting visitors to step into the dining space and immerse themselves in the rich culinary heritage of Yim Tin Tsai.
MEMORIES AND EMOTION COLLECTION
Although villagers commute daily between Sai Kung and Yim Tin Tsai, it has been many years since it became an "uninhabited island", resulting in most remaining artifacts being exhibited in the local museum today. Instead of focusing on what tangible relics might still exist on the island that could be used as materials for the art piece, the design team has turned to oral histories and written text from the older villagers. By using food, the team aims to evoke memories and stories from the island's past.
The dining table features 16 plates of varying sizes and materials, some of which are traditional Hakka bowls. Among them are nine types of Hakka dishes and ingredients that are seasonal and hold special significance to Yim Tin Tsai, including fish, horseshoe crabs, crabs, puffer fish, chicken, frogs, pork bowls, steamed glutinous rice cake and glass candy. In Yim Tin Tsai, it is a Hakka tradition for married women to bring a pork stew back to their natal homes. While steamed glutinous rice cake is a well-known Hakka snack, according to local accounts, the priest observed that resources on the island were scarce, and children had little to eat or play with. In response, he creatively made glass candy as a treat for them.
IN PRAISE OF NATURE
In the past, the villagers relied on nature to source their ingredients, making food a precious resource. The design team has transformed these traditional dishes into works of art, both celebrating the villagers' hard work and expressing gratitude for nature's bounty. Each dish carries stories of Yim Tin Tsai, inviting us to savor the unique flavour through artistic installations, allowing us to experience the essence of the island in an entirely new form.
There was not any photo or drawing that record the dishes particular appearances. Thus the design team employed AI to generate and shape the representations of these dishes, blending traditional elements with modern technology. This symbolizes the changing lifestyles of the new generation of villagers. The designs are then brought to life using vibrant mosaics, some of which are more distinct while others require a bit of imagination. This approach aims to spark visitors' curiosity, encouraging them to engage with the villagers and learn about the historical stories behind the dishes. As sunlight filters through, the mosaics mirror the colorful stained glass of the church on the island, representing the devotion of each Catholic parishioner of Yim Tin Tsai. The vibrant hues also express the joy of gathering once again. Additionally, both the dishes and mosaics will absorb sunlight, warming up during the day and fostering a genuine connection with nature.
CROSS GENERATIONS ENGAGEMENT
The design team believes that cross generations participation within the community is essential. "Meet’n Meal" revolves around the three clans of Yim Tin Tsai, connecting the previous and the current generation as well as the future descendants of the village, aiming to bring together villagers from Hong Kong and abroad. The installation employs a de-stylized design approach, intentionally avoiding personal traits. Instead, it draws entirely from the island's history, culture, and people, weaving together each small story in a cohesive artistic narrative. This endeavor serves to narrate the past, present, and future of Salt Field Zha, creating a heartfelt tribute to the community's heritage.
Visitors are stirred by the interconnected stories, evoking numerous resonances and memories. Some enthusiastically write poetry, while others passionately share with family and friends. Many even actively engage in conversation with the old village house owner, known as Shi, seeking to learn more about the island's history and experiences. These interactions are exactly what the design team envisioned through the concept of "Meet’n Meal" fostering a series of meaningful connections and dialogues.
As the name suggests, “Meet’n Meal" is more than just a meal. "晤梓" symbolizes gathering in Yim Tin Tsai, and in Cantonese, it pronounces as "唔止" means "not only". The art piece represents a truly heartfelt artistic experience and an opportunity to rediscover precious memories and reconnect with one another. The design team aim to use a dining table as a vessel to encapsulate the hard work and stories of each villager from Yim Tin Tsai, creating an ambiance of reunion, warmly welcome both former villagers residing in Hong Kong and overseas, as well as local residents and tourists, to come together around "Meet’n Meal." This experience seeks to rekindle the warmth of family meals, encouraging the sharing of life’s moments and emotions while experiencing the spirit and culture of this Hakka village.
(About Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival:
Hong Kong, formed by islands, has evolved our unique culture, religions, geology and social practices in harmony with nature. Art, as a medium, is a reflection of our lives which brings us on a journey of discovery and healing.
During this 3-year Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival, aside from our base at Yim Tin Tsai, participants can further explore the old and the new of Sai Kung Hoi at Sharp Island, High Island and Kau Sai Chau through different art installations and public programmes. With the theme of《Joy Again, Isle》, we wish that the isles can be the place where people meet, connect, begin and enjoy their journeys to experience the healing power of arts and nature.)
VILLAGERS’ ORAL MEMORIES AND RICH HISTORIES OF YIM TIN TSAI INSPIRED O&O STUDIO AND REHYPHENATION’S SECOND COLLABORATION, MEET’N MEAL, SHOWCASING A REUNION OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC HAKKA VILLAGE.
BACKGROUND
Tourism Commission has launched a three-year pilot tourism project in 2022 called Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival to diversify the tourism offerings and enrich local and non-local visitors’ experience, blending the rich history, local culture, heritage and natural environment of Sai Kung Hoi with Hong Kong’s creativity and arts atmosphere. Hong Kong firms O&O Studio (O&O) and REHyphenation were commissioned to design one of the new art installation in Yim Tin Tsai, “Meet’n Meal”, where it will stayed on the island as a gift to the villagers to continuing promoting the revitalization of the Hakka island.
Exhibited for two months from 13th November 2024 to 12th January 2025, “Meet’n Meal” is a reflection of the Hakka village characteristics. It captures the villagers’ use of natural ingredients gifted by the surrounding environment and the creation of food dishes that summarise each families’ hard working day, as well as presenting a narrative of the of this Catholic Hakka village history from the past to the present.
Architects Eric Chan and Suzanne Li established O&O in 2018, returning to their hometown of Hong Kong after working in Shanghai and London. Joyce Fok of REHyphenation teaches visual arts. Chan and Fok volunteer with NGO Hong Kong Public Space Initiative where they share community building aspirations. The three’s community engaging public space art installation design in 2021, “Siu Kai Fong”, received enormous success. Collaborating again in 2024, the team strives to continuing with the same design philosophy, explore new Hakka elements on the island and transform them into a valuable and heartfelt art installation, “Meet’n Meal”
JOY AGAIN, GATHER
Yim Tin Tsai, a tranquil 0.31km2 island, houses the Hakkas of the Chan family where all the baptised villagers made a living by salt-making, fishing, farming, and breeding. Following the repercussions of urbanisation on rural settlements, most villagers moved to the city or abroad. By 1998, Yim Tin Tsai officially became an uninhabited island. However, some started coming back to Yim Tin Tsai to revitalise and develop the cultural and eco-tourism of the island. Coming to its third year, the sub-theme of this year’s Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival is “Joy Again, Gather”. Upon repeated visits and interviews with the villagers as well as research on the island’s history, the team has drawn upon the unique Hakka cuisine to illustrate the significance of gathering, as well as highlighting the importance of meals within Chinese family culture.
Yim Tin Tsai is home to three clans, descending from the three brothers who originally settled there. Today, several historic village houses stand as reminders of the past. According to the village’s chief, a particular lane originally belonged to one of the clans, with only a front wall ruin remains today that symbolises the village's historical evolution. The design team has selected the front yard of this historic wall as the site for the art installation.
The installation features a circular table made of steel framing, glass fibre and stone texture paint, where its white colour is inspired by the island’s iconic salt pan which serves as one of the main ingredients in the dishes. The table's round shape signifies an invitation for communities’ participation. Additionally, inspired by the Chinese Hieroglyph of the word "HOME家" the design evokes the old village house wall that shelters the poultry in the yard. The character of "PIG豕" is creatively integrated into the table design, inviting visitors to step into the dining space and immerse themselves in the rich culinary heritage of Yim Tin Tsai.
MEMORIES AND EMOTION COLLECTION
Although villagers commute daily between Sai Kung and Yim Tin Tsai, it has been many years since it became an "uninhabited island", resulting in most remaining artifacts being exhibited in the local museum today. Instead of focusing on what tangible relics might still exist on the island that could be used as materials for the art piece, the design team has turned to oral histories and written text from the older villagers. By using food, the team aims to evoke memories and stories from the island's past.
The dining table features 16 plates of varying sizes and materials, some of which are traditional Hakka bowls. Among them are nine types of Hakka dishes and ingredients that are seasonal and hold special significance to Yim Tin Tsai, including fish, horseshoe crabs, crabs, puffer fish, chicken, frogs, pork bowls, steamed glutinous rice cake and glass candy. In Yim Tin Tsai, it is a Hakka tradition for married women to bring a pork stew back to their natal homes. While steamed glutinous rice cake is a well-known Hakka snack, according to local accounts, the priest observed that resources on the island were scarce, and children had little to eat or play with. In response, he creatively made glass candy as a treat for them.
IN PRAISE OF NATURE
In the past, the villagers relied on nature to source their ingredients, making food a precious resource. The design team has transformed these traditional dishes into works of art, both celebrating the villagers' hard work and expressing gratitude for nature's bounty. Each dish carries stories of Yim Tin Tsai, inviting us to savor the unique flavour through artistic installations, allowing us to experience the essence of the island in an entirely new form.
There was not any photo or drawing that record the dishes particular appearances. Thus the design team employed AI to generate and shape the representations of these dishes, blending traditional elements with modern technology. This symbolizes the changing lifestyles of the new generation of villagers. The designs are then brought to life using vibrant mosaics, some of which are more distinct while others require a bit of imagination. This approach aims to spark visitors' curiosity, encouraging them to engage with the villagers and learn about the historical stories behind the dishes. As sunlight filters through, the mosaics mirror the colorful stained glass of the church on the island, representing the devotion of each Catholic parishioner of Yim Tin Tsai. The vibrant hues also express the joy of gathering once again. Additionally, both the dishes and mosaics will absorb sunlight, warming up during the day and fostering a genuine connection with nature.
CROSS GENERATIONS ENGAGEMENT
The design team believes that cross generations participation within the community is essential. "Meet’n Meal" revolves around the three clans of Yim Tin Tsai, connecting the previous and the current generation as well as the future descendants of the village, aiming to bring together villagers from Hong Kong and abroad. The installation employs a de-stylized design approach, intentionally avoiding personal traits. Instead, it draws entirely from the island's history, culture, and people, weaving together each small story in a cohesive artistic narrative. This endeavor serves to narrate the past, present, and future of Salt Field Zha, creating a heartfelt tribute to the community's heritage.
Visitors are stirred by the interconnected stories, evoking numerous resonances and memories. Some enthusiastically write poetry, while others passionately share with family and friends. Many even actively engage in conversation with the old village house owner, known as Shi, seeking to learn more about the island's history and experiences. These interactions are exactly what the design team envisioned through the concept of "Meet’n Meal" fostering a series of meaningful connections and dialogues.
As the name suggests, “Meet’n Meal" is more than just a meal. "晤梓" symbolizes gathering in Yim Tin Tsai, and in Cantonese, it pronounces as "唔止" means "not only". The art piece represents a truly heartfelt artistic experience and an opportunity to rediscover precious memories and reconnect with one another. The design team aim to use a dining table as a vessel to encapsulate the hard work and stories of each villager from Yim Tin Tsai, creating an ambiance of reunion, warmly welcome both former villagers residing in Hong Kong and overseas, as well as local residents and tourists, to come together around "Meet’n Meal." This experience seeks to rekindle the warmth of family meals, encouraging the sharing of life’s moments and emotions while experiencing the spirit and culture of this Hakka village.
(About Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival:
Hong Kong, formed by islands, has evolved our unique culture, religions, geology and social practices in harmony with nature. Art, as a medium, is a reflection of our lives which brings us on a journey of discovery and healing.
During this 3-year Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival, aside from our base at Yim Tin Tsai, participants can further explore the old and the new of Sai Kung Hoi at Sharp Island, High Island and Kau Sai Chau through different art installations and public programmes. With the theme of《Joy Again, Isle》, we wish that the isles can be the place where people meet, connect, begin and enjoy their journeys to experience the healing power of arts and nature.)
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