Rhythm of the Dragon

‘Rhythm of the Dragon’ is an environmental installation created for the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival 2024 in Hong Kong. Situated on the tidal shoreline of High Island (Leung Shuen Wan), the artwork responds directly to the island’s unique coastal environment and cultural landscape, shaped by generations of fishing villages both at sea and on land. Inspired by High Island’s historical identity as “Dragon Boat Bay,” the installation celebrates the area’s rich fishery heritage and the deep-rooted connections among its communities.

Resonating with the rhythms of nature, the installation responds to its environment through tidal submersion and wind movements. Parts of the ‘dragon’ vanish and reappear with the shifting tides, while its lightweight recycled scales ripple gently in the breeze. This ever-changing form offers a dynamic experience, inviting visitors to sense the subtle harmonic changes of nature.

Villagers were invited to co-create the installation by painting their collective stories onto the dragon's scales. These hand-crafted elements serve as vessels of local memories, allowing visitors to connect more intimately with the local culture and heritage of the community.

Serving as a performance stage and communal gathering space, ‘Rhythm of the Dragon’ also provides a vibrant venue for cultural exchange, storytelling, and celebration. It invites both locals and visitors to engage with the island’s living traditions and helps strengthen community identity through this shared experience.

By repurposing waste materials, the project raises awareness about plastic wastes in natural environments and showcases innovative strategies for material reuse. Its construction approach also considers the full building life cycle, with prefabricated components minimising environmental impact. By encouraging eco-tourism, ‘Rhythm of the Dragon’ offers an immersive way for visitors to experience High Island’s cultural and ecological richness, fostering appreciation for both its traditions and its natural beauty.