Botched Hong Kong flower display takes public view for granted
- East Kowloon Cultural Centre show of white flowers touched up after being mocked as having a ‘funeral vibe’ ahead of tomb-sweeping season in April
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, so the saying goes. But in the case of a controversial rose light display funded by the government, Hongkongers are not so sure whether the rows of white flowers, which were mocked for their “funeral vibe” on social media, would be just as appealing.
Though beauty is arguably in the eye of the beholder, the issue is not about the artistic sense of the officials and district councillors involved in the LED project, but the culture of public spending and project scrutiny.
The authorities swiftly went into damage control mode and touched up the HK$500,000 installation at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre in Kowloon Bay with a pinkish hue over the weekend.
Light art installation in Hong Kong’s East Kowloon slammed for ‘funeral vibe’
But the new design is now teased for its “toilet vibe”, referring to the floral patterns on some toilet papers. It will be officially launched this month after further tweaks, officials say.
The outcome might have been different had officials been more sensitive. While similar displays in Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul in 2015 and Tamar Park at Admiralty in Hong Kong in 2016 were well received, it became a public relations disaster when the roses – originally white by day and blue at night – were neatly placed on a flight of greyish concrete steps ahead of the Chinese tomb-sweeping season next month.
It also was said to be a replacement for the original idea of carpeting the staircase with fresh flowers, after it was deemed more costly and challenging to maintain.
Under the policy address last year, the 18 revamped elected municipal bodies will each have up to HK$1 million to create their “distinctive landmarks” for locals and tourists to “check-in” and take photos.
Hong Kong ‘funeral-like’ white roses installation blooms again with new colours
Given the need for prudence and accountability in the use of taxpayer money, the public was understandably dismayed when the design of the display in question was deemed as “minor details” and therefore not scrutinised by councillors.
Officials should be mindful of what the public needs. While the revamped councils may be eager to show achievements under Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s “result-oriented” governance approach, public support and perception must not be taken for granted.
The last thing the public wants is to spend the money and check the box.
