Para Site, Hong Kong's leading contemporary art space and one of the oldest and most active independent art centres in Asia, today announced the opening of Ten Million Rooms of Yearning. Sex in Hong Kong. This groundbreaking exhibition features a broad spectrum of international and local artists and focuses on the relationship between sex and desire in the context of Hong Kong society and history. The exhibit is being presented in five disparate Hong Kong venues to illustrate the city’s diverse landscape.

This innovative show is the latest demonstration of Para Site’s commitment to make a deep contribution to the city’s art landscape. Cosmin Costinas, director, Para Site, and Chantal Wong, Head of Strategy & Special Projects at AAA, conceived this show, which explores the many ways in which sex and desire are manifested, hidden, altered, and replaced by family structures, class, and other elements of contemporary Hong Kong life.

Recent studies have shown that Hong Kong has one of the lowest sex drives in the world. There are several reasons for this. As one of the only Chinese societies not to undergo a modern revolution, the city never experienced the sexual liberation movement found elsewhere. Moreover, Hong Kong maintains some of the Victorian values of morality and respectability rooted in its colonial past. Its unique history has also brought a disproportionate focus on Christian ideals to public policy and power circles.

Costinas said, “The post-handover years have shown a trend toward increased conservatism and a greater reluctance to explore sexuality in the media and art. One of the aims of the exhibition is to understand better the drivers of this trend and ignite a discussion about sexuality in Hong Kong.”

The exhibition also explores the unique socio-economic conditions in Hong Kong that may suppress sexuality. Small living quarters, high population density and a tendency to live with parents inhibit intimacy and privacy. This is juxtaposed to the city’s public space, which is oversaturated with messages designed to arouse and with promises of desire. In the family environment, sexuality is not a priority post youth and is usurped by other activities such as playing video games designed to substitute for real-life sociability and human interaction.

While the exhibition starts from a Hong Kong perspective, it goes well beyond to express a wider Asian and universal condition in contemporary life. Seminal works can be found at the exhibit from international artists Cao Fei, Ines Doujak, Richard Fung, Hou Chun-Ming, William E. Jones, Yayoi Kusama, Nguyen Tan Hoang, Hélio Oiticica, Willem de Rooij, Roee Rosen, Hito Steyerl, Danh Vo and William Yang; historic Hong Kong figures such as Luis Chan, Eileen Chang, Irene Chou, Chu Hing Wah, Hon Chi-fun, Ma Jir-Bo, Antonio Mak, and Ricky Yeung Sau-churk; contemporary local and regional artists Au Shek-yan, Chien-Chi Chang, Choy Ka Fai + Rianto, Eisa Jocson, Meiro Koizumi, Agung Kurniawan, Lee Kit, Lam Hoi-sin, Isaac Leung, Nguan, Erkka Nissinen, Angela Su, Wong Wai-yim, Trevor Yeung, and Zhou Tao; and Hong Kong academics and artists Petula Ho Sik-ying, Katrien Jacobs, and Yau Ching are also featured.

-Para/Site

Venue locations:

Connecting Space
10 May–6 July 2014

G/F, Wah Kin Mansion
18-20 Fort Street
North Point

Sheung Wan Civic Centre Exhibition Hall
9 May–25 May 2014

6/F, 345 Queen's Road Central
Sheung Wan

private flat
9 May–25 May 2014

5/F, 30 Queen Street Sheung Wan

Sally Coco
9 May–25 May 2014

Room 302, 3/F, Winning House,

Image: © Irene Chou
Courtesy of the artist and Para/Site