For a year or two, I sort of put this out of my mind. Scooting up the escalator, it no longer makes my blood boil as it once did when it was first installed around five years ago. But that doesn’t mean I don’t catch a glimpse every now and then that doesn’t re-ignite my fury.
Yesterday was one of those days!
What is 80′s clip-art doing on the walls of the escalator?
Before the horrific, out-dated clip-art (that has nothing remotely to do with Hong Kong,) was installed, there were just blank panels in place. It should have stayed that way.
Someone must have had the brilliant idea to put something on the walls to jazz up the escalator. A total idiot must have made the assumption that this clip-art was worthy of the task.
They should be punished. In fact, this is worthy of vigilante action.
It’s a disgrace and a joke. Don’t call this a world-class international city when over 55,000 people a day are forced to stare at imagery like this. It’s third rate. How about coming up with an idea, say, for illustrations of famous points of interest in Hong Kong. As tourists make their curious way along the escalator route, they might discover someplace else they want to visit. Or, if you had a little more ambition, what about establishing this as a famous outdoor art gallery sponsored by the city? Why do I need to suggest these things?
It’s infuriating me just thinking about it.
Here are some examples of the current “art” that adorns the escalator walls.
Yes, that’s a cassette-deck stereo.
Yes, that’s a VCR.
Wow, another cheeseburger.
Nice sun glasses, fighter jet and scooter!
High fashion?
Money: USD, Yen and Canadian money – how shameful can you get?
It’s an outrage!
Tags: amount of people Hong Kong escalator, Central escalator, central mid levels escalator, escalator art, HK escalator, Hong Kong art, Hong Kong Central Mid Levels escalator, Hong Kong escalator, hong kong escalator system, Hong Kong escelator, mid levels escalator
how can we get it changed? I hate it too!
July 16th, 2009 | #
hahahaha! It is funny it makes you so angry. I honestly get a huge laugh out of it every time I go by…I always spot something new and random in it. A doughnut! A sundae! I love the VCR. Hahahahahah.
July 16th, 2009 | #
Yes, A, but I know your evil sense of humor – you’re laughing AT IT, not with it!
July 17th, 2009 | #
The escalator art is a great metaphor for the art scene in Hong Kong.
July 17th, 2009 | #
HA! I’d like to think the scene is a little better than that!
July 17th, 2009 | #
Unfortunately, I’m afraid Evan is right.
July 19th, 2009 | #
I agree with Evan. HK Hustle thank you for bringing this topic to the attention of HK.
July 19th, 2009 | #
I know u all will hate me but i think the pics are cute..a bit nostalgic and bauhaus-y. I know they can be better but this can’t be too bad hehe!
July 19th, 2009 | #
We should all complain to the HK Tourism Board
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/servlet/comment?language=en
July 20th, 2009 | #
Yeah, I think they should do away with all those unsightly neon signs on Nathan road too. Kidding of course – I think the administrator needs to chill out. This is what makes HK unique. Put these panels in a gallery and everyone would probably ooh and ahh at how creative and unique they are. I like them – they should stay!
July 20th, 2009 | #
Scary!
July 20th, 2009 | #
I actually like it. I like the honest attempt at pop art / early 1980′s feel. And who could possibly not agree that money, consumption, consumer goods are very much present in HK’s DNA? I think it works and it is relevant. I wonder who the artist/designer is, anyone knows? Would be great to hear his views. Am I mad or?
July 20th, 2009 | #
Panels are fit for the current LV exhibit. LOL!
July 20th, 2009 | #
I see we have a Fountainhead reader here… It’s not an “honest attempt” at anything, it’s actual clip-art from a CD… Uugggh, I guess a few of you find it charmingly retro, but to me it’s symptomatic of the city’s lack of vision and art culture.
July 21st, 2009 | #
Yeah I kinda got that ‘wtf’ feeling whenever I saw those
July 21st, 2009 | #
I say we go vigilante on this thing and start a hongkonghustle guerilla-style graffiti vandalism campaign on it. It certainly couldn’t get any uglier than it already is and I’m sure they will do something about it asap. Did you see how quickly they covered up the Chanel logo graffiti on the Armani building a couple of weeks ago?
July 29th, 2009 | #
i. love. it.
i know i’m probably imposing non-intentional irony onto it. but that vcr, classic
August 3rd, 2009 | #
I see this all the time but after seeing your pissed off comments along with it, I am laughing so hard I’m almost crying. MULTIPLE cheeseburgers!
October 15th, 2009 | #
hahaha! I have the most vivid memories of my childhood staring at those images while taking the escalator to go for Saturday dinners with my family!! They ARE super cheesy and irrelevant, like it came from an 80s ETV (education TV in Hong Kong) program!!!
November 23rd, 2009 | #
Without those shameful walls we would never be able to appreciate the and respect the thought oriented work in the world… But then again, who is to say that the artwork that is tasteless to many could be hardwork of another individual trying his/her best with what they might have available to them…
December 3rd, 2009 | #