FWD launches exhibition celebrating the story of Hong Kong

‘Hong Kong Story Walk’ launched at House 1881 - a unique art installation showcasing Hong Kong through the years

FWD Insurance (’FWD’) has today launched “FWD Insurance: Hong Kong Story Walk - Miniature Hong Kong” a new exhibition within the city’s cultural landmark, House 1881.

The exhibition features the work of local micro-modelling studio, TOMA Miniatures, with five different zones, each displaying mini replicas of classic Hong Kong ‘stories’. It offers a nostalgic walk through city’s cultural heritage, celebrating some of its most treasured rituals, traditions and memories.

In-keeping with TOMA’s signature style, each scene is a beautifully intricate work of art, showcasing 21 exquisite micro models and with nine scenes and attractions – including:

• The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance 
• The Piu Sik Parade
• Cheung Chau Bun Festival
• Hong Kong Tea Houses
• Cha Kwo Shop (Hakka steamed glutinous rice cakes) 
• Local dishes and snacks
• The Petty Person Beating ritual
• Freight shipping, cargo docks and double decker trams
• The Former Marine Police Headquarters (Currently House 1881)

Ken Lau, FWD Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, said “I know that visitors will be completely charmed by the work of TOMA, a local studio that we’re very proud to work with. And I can’t think of a better setting than House 1881, one of our city’s most treasured landmarks, and therefore the perfect setting for ‘Hong Kong Story Walk’.

At FWD we want people to ‘celebrate living’ and it’s this passion for life that encapsulates not only our attitude as a business but also how we feel as Hong Kongers. Which is why, on-going, our plan is to support local artists with new and exciting events. We also know from the huge success of ‘Our Harbour – Our Stories’, last year’s incredible 3D light installation, that there’s strong appetite for experiential, immersive art here in Hong Kong. So we’ll be working with House 1881 throughout the year, and ongoing, to find new ways to celebrate life, and showcase this incredible city!”

Ken from FWD continued, “We’re also collaborating with Special Olympics Hong Kong (SOHK) to support young people with intellectual disabilities by offering them job opportunities. So as part of the exhibition, one of our SOHK athletes, Candy Wong, will be in residence every weekend, offering traditional coconut candy.” 

Tony Lai and Maggie Chan, Founders of TOMA Miniatures, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with FWD – and it’s clear that, like us, they have a deep passion for not only supporting local art but preserving the story of Hong Kong – in doing so, promoting our culture. This project has been a labour of love for us both and it’s great to see it find its home at House 1881. Each model is preserving a little piece of our history, bringing Hong Kong’s fondest memories back to life. We’ve also teamed up with some of our students to create nine debut pieces. We’re extremely proud to play our part in promoting Hong Kong, its traditions and heritage.”

“FWD Insurance: Hong Kong Story Walk - Miniature Hong Kong” is free to the public and opens from 11am to 9 pm daily. Guests of all ages are invited to take photographs at the exhibition and upload these on social media with the hashtag #HKStoryWalk, sharing their favourite stories of the city.  

There are also a number of tours and craft workshops available, to be pre-booked in advance, which carry a fee. Details of the exhibition and the workshops can be found at http://house1881.com/happenings.html.

- Ends -

 “FWD Insurance: Hong Kong Story Walk - Miniature Hong Kong”
Dates: 16 January – 8 March 2020
Opening times: 11:00 – 21:00
Venue: House 1881, Tsim Sha Tsui
Fee: Free of charge
Website: www.House1881.com
Contact: 3988 0000
Event hashtag: #HKStoryWalk

Zone 1: Celebrate the city’s iconic festivals
Experience our traditions and customs first-hand with some local traditional festivals. FWD invites you to immerse yourself in the spectacular local festival celebrations with the debut of three brand-new exhibits by TOMA Miniatures, including Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, The Piu Sik (Floating Colours) Parade and Cheung Chau Bun Festival.

Zone 2: Living in the vertical city
Visit a typical apartment in the 1980’s and experience the warmth and charm of the community through a series of micro models that showcase distinct residences from that era. Guests can catch a glimpse of the miniature streets and the playgrounds of the 80’s, rekindling a tight-knit sense of community.

Zone 3: Cherishing a modern heritage
Pawn shops have a long and colorful history in Hong Kong, and are now seen as iconic tokens of the city’s unique culture and traditional business values. Come explore what’s behind the screen doors of these pawn shops. Don’t miss the iconic Cha Chaan Teng, where you can spend time with friends and family in a booth, explore the diversity of Hong Kong’s food culture through mini replicas of typical Hong Kong-style catering, including a Cha Kwo Shop and a Hong Kong Tea House, both of which are brand-new exhibits by TOMA.

Zone 4: History in Motion 
Historic heritage nestling between skyscrapers and centuries-old trams rattling through bustling streets all tell the story of Hong Kong’s journey through the years. FWD showcases how transportation helped shape the city, including new masterpiece exhibits, such as the former Marine Police Headquarters as well as the old piers and double decker trams. Remember to take some pictures as you travel with us through the years!

Zone 5: Living with local traditions   
Local traditions still play a part in modern Hong Kong, albeit a bit transformed.  Take a stroll through the nostalgic setting, complete with miniature models of Shanghai-style barber shops, and the new exhibit, Petty Person Beating, to bring these age-old rituals back to life. Here, guests can give the petty person holding them back a good pasting without having to do jail time for assault, while others can search for a new hair style by looking to the Shanghai-style barber shops made popular in the 1950s, bridging the past with the trends of the present.

Workshop details:

There are limited seats for workshops, advanced registration is required.

For more workshop details, please visit: http://house1881.com/happenings.html or call 3988 0000.

“FWD Insurance: Hong Kong Story Walk - Miniature Hong Kong” is open from now until 8 March at the distinct cultural landmark, House 1881.

Ken Lau, FWD Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, demonstrated how to prepare a traditional candy and coconut wrap and highlighted how FWD has provided job opportunities to its CSR partner Special Olympics Hong Kong’s athlete on weekends during the exhibition period.

Ken Lau, FWD Managing Director of Greater China & Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer shared how proud FWD is to host this unique story walk, that brings the culture and traditions of Hong Kong to life in the historic House 1881. It’s a way to find new ways to celebrate living, and showcase this incredible city!

Tony Lai and Maggie Chan, founders of TOMA Miniatures, created 9 debut exhibits of various scenes and attractions. They are committed to raising public awareness for the city’s rich heritage, and reminiscing the precious memories shared by locals from all generations.

Group Photo, (from left) Candy Wong, Special Olympics Hong Kong athlete; Wilson Man, Executive Committee Member of Special Olympics Hong Kong; Ken Lau, FWD Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer; and Tony Lai and Maggie Chan, Founders of TOMA Miniatures.

Ken Lau, FWD Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer shared his personal childhood story.

Tony Lai and Maggie Chan, Founders of TOMA Miniatures shared that Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and The Piu Sik Parade are their favourite pieces.

About FWD Hong Kong & Macau
FWD Hong Kong offers life and medical insurance, general insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning. Its life insurance and general insurance operating entities have been assigned strong financial strength ratings by international rating agencies — FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited is rated “A3” by Moody’s and “A” by Fitch; and FWD General Insurance Company Limited is rated “A” by Fitch. FWD Macau provides a suite of life and medical insurance.

FWD Hong Kong & Macau is a part of the FWD Group, the insurance business of investment group, Pacific Century Group. FWD Group spans Hong Kong & Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia.

By creating fresh customer experiences with easy-to-understand products supported by digital technology, FWD aims to become a leading pan-Asian insurer that changes the way people feel about insurance.

For more information about FWD Hong Kong & Macau please visit WWW.FWD.COM.HK and WWW.FWD.COM.MO

About HOUSE 1881
HOUSE 1881 is a cultural landmark and the former Hong Kong Marine Police Headquarters. Comprising a boutique hotel and unique dining concepts, this historic site reflects FWD’s mission to ‘Celebrate Living’ by providing enriching and interactive experiences. 

The property’s historic courtyard and surrounding gardens showcase its legacy and heritage value to both locals and tourists alike. HOUSE 1881 offers FWD a unique opportunity to engage with the community in meaningful ways through cultural activities and events while preserving one of Hong Kong’s iconic landmarks.

About TOMA Miniatures 
Founded by Tony Lai and Maggie Chan, TOMA Miniatures is a local miniature art duo specialising in micro modelling creations. The artist pair combines craftsmanship with local Hong Kong storiesby collaborating with organisations including The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Racing Museum, Lai Yuen, and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office. Their work has been exhibitedin exhibitions worldwide with global as well as local media coverage.
 
Find TOMA Miniatures on Facebook.