Sustainable Living Hong Kong

From time to time, authors of a blog or any occasional commentator may ask or be asked: what gives you the right to criticism? One response (or rationalization) is that good criticism is actually a contribution to the development of the idea, or artwork, or subject.

Following the end of the HK Shenzhen Biennale and in the run up to Artwalk and the MAN Literary Festival, questions about the role of criticism in the development of arts and audiences are rightly also in the air. A panel discussion last night, co-organized by Muse Magazine and HKU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies, shed some light on the issues. (more about the panel here)

On the question of “who can be a critic,” Christian Caryl (currently at HKU) suggested that critics must have two prerequisites: knowledge and passion. Common sense, we might think —no one appreciates a purported critic who bears only opinion or only facts. Unwritten is the third prerequisite of criticism:  sincerity. Any critic who comes at a topic with “ulterior motives” may be vilified even more than one who is ignorant.

The proposition becomes more relevant when one realises how close arts criticism is to social (or political) criticism in Hong Kong. This stems at least partly from the fact that the government, for all its “free market” rhetoric , is highly involved as benefactor, regulator and participant in any number of markets which influence the development of arts, culture and society.  Recent discussions about preserving heritage, reclamation and the Harbourfront, redevelopment of old buildings, and the funding for the West Kowloon Cultural District are just a few cases in which the government has taken sides.

Due to the sums involved and the profit potential of contracts and grants, there will be many commentators, including those backed by position, money and institutions. Certainly they will have many opinions.  We should ask whether they also meet the other two criteria :  sincerity and knowledge.

On the other side, and in view of the government’s track record in taking public opinion and public consultations into account in policymaking, we members of the public should ask ourselves : in issues where we may be knowledgeable, passionate, and sincere, are we doing our best to make our views heard and to have an impact? Forums such as this one are a start. What else will make a difference?