KMO_8725

A New Way to Live

Parents Parents

2020年快將完結,反反覆覆的疫情改變我們的生活,在家工作、社交距離成為了「新日常」,同時也讓人反思,生活原來有很多可能性。本地藝術團體Parents Parents,由四位年輕的設計師Jimson、Chris、Ling和Tin Yau組成,各有正職的他們,利用工餘時間一起創作、一起玩藝術。Jimson:「我們是念設計的同學,畢業後兩、三年組成了Parents Parents,開始時我們只是單純地設計一些產品在市集上賣,直至舉辦第一個展覽後,才正式成為一個藝術團體。」四人各有個性,合作起來卻是甚有默契。「我們的關係不是一凹一凸的互補狀態,我們更像是一個可以隨時改變的形狀,像LEGO般可以任意砌出一些東西,卻不一定是一架車、一幢大廈等可見的物件,但這形狀的顏色、形態和線條能吸引你的注意。只要有趣、好玩,我們都會嘗試,這就是Parents Parents。」

與Parents Parents相約在中環堅道的TOWNPLACE SOHO見面,這是一所位於鬧市中心的租賃項目,提供靈活的租住概念。傍晚時分,沿著長長的石級路,走上陡斜的山坡,簇新的大廈與舊式的街道形成強烈對比。走進TOWNPLACE SOHO,溫暖的黃色燈光和帶點復古的室內設計,予人舒適寧靜感覺。Ling:「我們把附近標誌性的元素放進畫作裡,地下大堂我們畫了三幅畫,放在三個廂座的牆上。這些畫採用了動植物公園的元素,抽象的樹相比其他作品更簡潔有力,是我們在這次創作中最喜歡的作品。」樹的姿態在抽象的表現方式下,依舊是翠綠茂盛、幽靜而有活力,在帶點懷舊色彩的廂座裡,成為有趣的對比。

首次參與住宅項目的創作,Tin Yau坦言考慮的東西比從前的更多,包括考慮地區的關聯性。「創作的時候,我會想像住在這裡的人有甚麼感覺,看著畫時又有甚麼感覺。這區有很多標誌性的歷史建築,我們希望住在這裡的人看到這些畫後,會主動去發掘這些地方。我們在公享的休息區裡創作了一幅大型畫作,面向著茶水間和游泳池,裡面除了有動植物公園的元素,也有都爹利街的媒氣燈,和旁邊的石級路。另一邊的共享工作空間,則用了更抽象的畫風,迷彩圖案代表了起伏不定的樹木群,黑白的橫間則代表石級路,背景的線條是參考附近的高樓大廈。只要你走前去看,你便能發現更多。」Parents Parents這次運用的顏色豐富而且色調偏暗,Chris說這是因為住戶都是以年輕人或是外國人為主,所以作品充滿年輕活力的感覺之餘,偏暗的色調能讓人感到舒適自在。立體、幾何和間條等圖案拼湊在一起表達這裡是多元文化的地方,對比中見和諧。「除了配合室內設計,我們還希望作品予人更大的想像空間,感受被大廈外的環境包圍著一樣。」

Jimson說今次的創作空間很大,商業項目很少能接受抽象的概念,所以創作過程很愉快。「以前的作品通常是在一個固定的地方,而這次則放在共享的空間、洗手間和房間等地方,其他位置亦有本地藝術家Kristopher Ho的作品,加上作品下面都有QR code,能讓觀眾能了解作品和藝術家,予人置身於畫廊般的感覺。」Parents Parents曾與英國的塗鴉藝術家DILK合作為深水埗一間旅舍的外牆創作大型的塗鴉作品,除了賦予舊建築全新的面貌,也為舊區帶來活力,可是這種街頭藝術不是一開始便被人接受。「曾經試過做一些商業的街頭創作,被人認為是非法的塗鴉,然後遭到報警處理。」Ling苦笑說:「因為他們不認識街頭藝術。」隨著人們看到它的商業價值,Parents Parents的作品出現在餐廳、商場,甚至是畫廊裡。Jimson:「我們沒有任何計劃要做些甚麼,而是一直探索我們還能做些甚麼。我希望將來也可以自由地創作,不用思考要走到哪裡去。」Tin Yau笑說:「我希望可以把街頭藝術帶到人們認為不應存在的地方裡,好像村上隆把他的卡通作品放在羅浮宮一樣,以此來證明我們的風格不受到任何限制,專注地做自己也能得到別人的認同。」

因為疫情,Ling說他們很少聚在一起這樣輕鬆地聊天,「如果住在這裡,擁有一個共享的空間相約聊天、工作,我們便不需要租工作室了。」家原來可以很多樣,它可以是工作、休息、社交的地方,新的生活方式由此而誕生。「現在在家的時間長了,發現身邊的環境實在很重要呢。」Ling笑著續說:「我明白到自己要花多點心思在家裡,讓自己和家人生活得更舒適。家裡有一個屬於自己的小角落,閒時畫畫和做創作,這樣我便很滿足。」Jimson:「疫情令人們對生活空間和質素的追求增多了,因為我們都知道人生無常。」或許,新日常讓我們重新認識生活,像Parents Parents所說,樹不定有根有葉,每個人都可以有屬於自己的演繹方式。

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2020 is coming to an end. While the pandemic has changed our lives tremendously and turned working from home and social distancing into the so-called “new normal”, it also allows us to see the many possibilities that lie in life. Parents Parents is a local art group that comprises four young designers: Jimson, Chris, Ling and Tin Yau. With each of them having a full-time job, they meet up during their spare time to create and explore the art scene together. “We studied design together, and two or three years after graduation, we formed Parents Parents. At the beginning, we’d only design products to sell in markets and fairs. It was not until our first exhibition that we officially debuted as an art group,” said Jimson. The four designers each have a very distinctive personality, but somehow they work very well together. “Our relationship is not a complementary one that we supplement or complement to one another. We are more like a shape that can be changed at any time. Just like LEGO, we can form into anything; not necessarily a tangible object like a car or a building, but a form that has the color, shape and outline that can get your attention. As long as something is fun and interesting, we will try it. This is what Parents Parents is about.”

The meeting with Parents Parents took place at TOWNPLACE SOHO, a rental project situated on Caine Road in Central that provides flexible lease options to its tenants. As I slowly walked uphill along the pebble street to our meeting place at dusk, I saw the interesting contrast posed by the new buildings and old, traditional street. When I reached my destination, the warm and comforting yellow light and retro interior design welcomed me. “We took inspiration from the iconic landmarks in this neighborhood. For the three paintings we did that are placed in the lobby, there are elements of the nearby Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The abstract form of trees is so simple yet powerful. It is our most favorite work in this collection,’ Ling explained. Even in the abstract form, the trees are still green and lush, tranquil yet energetic. The abstract paintings play an interesting contrast to the retro style of the lobby.

The collaboration with TOWNPLACE SOHO is Parents Parents’s first residential project, Tin Yau admitted that there were a lot more to consider compared to other art projects, one of which is the connection with the neighbourhood. “I tried to imagine how people would feel if they lived here and looked at the paintings. We hope that the residents would be inspired to explore the many historical landmarks in this area after looking at our paintings. For the lounge area, we’ve created a large-scale painting that faces directly to the pantry and swimming pool. In addition to the elements related to the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, you can also see in the painting the famous gas lamps and the staircase of Duddell Street. In the co-working space, which is on the other side of the lounge, there is another painting which is way more abstract; the camouflage pattern represents the trees, the black and white horizontal lines represent the cobbled stone steps, and the lines in the background are the representation of the nearby highrises. If you take a closer look, you will find even more.” Parents Parents opted for a wide color palette in a darker tone for these paintings. Chris explained that it is because the residents are mainly youngsters and foreigners, the group wants their paintings to bring in a sense of youthfulness and vitality, and that the darker tone can create tranquility and comfortness. The incorporation of three-dimensional elements as well as geometric patterns and lines into the paintings also signifies the multicultural yet harmonious nature of the residence. “In addition to being a supplement to the interior design, we also hope that our work can bring the neighbourhood indoor and be an inspiration to the residents.”

Jimson mentioned that they were given a lot of freedom to create which is a rare move in commercial projects, and they are glad with the chances given. “Our previous works were usually displayed in areas that had limited viewers, but this time, our paintings can be found in the communal spaces, washrooms and even the tenants’ rooms. In other locations, you can find local artist Kristopher Ho’s work. There are QR codes underneath each work to allow viewers to understand more about the work and artists. It’s like being inside a gallery.” Parents Parents has once worked with British graffiti artist DILK on a large-scale outdoor graffiti project for a hostel in Sham Shui Po. The work gave a brand new look to the old building and at the same time brought some new vibes to the old neighbourhood. However, street art was not well-accepted by the society at the beginning. “I did some commercial street art before, but they were considered illegal graffiti. Even police were called,” Ling said with a wry smile. “It’s because people don’t know much about street art.” As people began to see the economical value of street art, the work of Parents Parents also started to appear more often in restaurants, shopping malls, and even galleries. Jimson said, “We don’t have plans on what we are going to do. Rather, we focus on exploring what we can do. I just hope that we can create freely, without having to worry about the future.” Tin Yau laughed and continued, “I hope that I can bring street art to places where people think it shouldn’t exist; just like how Takashi Murakami brought his cartoon work into the Louvre. I want people to know that there shouldn’t be any restriction to our creative style. If we focus on doing our best, we will eventually receive people’s recognition.”

Ling said that the group rarely gets together nowadays because of the pandemic. “If we all live here and have a shared space where we can chat and work, we won’t need to rent a studio anymore.” Now that “home” can be a place for work, rest, and socializing, there are even more possibilities in living. “Having spent so much more time at home, I realized that the surrounding environment is indeed important.” Ling continued with a smile, “I also realized that I will have to spend more time and effort in making my home a more comfortable place for myself and my family. I’ll be happy if I can just have a tiny corner to myself where I can paint and create.” Jimson said, “The pandemic has taught us how impermanent life is, and therefore we started to pursue quality living.” The new normals may have redefined our life and living. However, as Parents Parents said, every tree has roots and leaves, but they can all live their own unique way of life. 

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