Lead Curator's MessageThere is a drive with each and everyone of us to be human again,to help each other, restore social connection, have a sharedmeal and most importantly, to collaborate. The last months havebeen challenging, with Hong Kong going through its third-wavelockdown, and especially distressing to witness small studiosface challenges, grantees outreach be put on hold and thecountless cancellations of projects, exhibitions and events, all ofwhich is hurting not just the design community but everyone andall industries. More than ever, we hope our community platformcan do more by critically reflecting on the past months in thecontext of Hong Kong and beyond, and to rebuild our positivemomentum for the future. Since February 2020, with so manyuncertainties, along with my board members and colleaguesof DESIGN TRUST, we have been organically preparing thiscommunity platform to reduce our social distancing "distance",check in to say hello, and inspire ourselves on the role of criticalmaking within the home or domestic landscape. Making thingswith our hands has become more relevant than ever, and echoesa basic human desire to be creative and open. Through making- we can build dialogue and immerse ourselves in our craft, allwhile provoking and probing for more.The "DESIGN TRUST: Critically Homemade” prototype exhibitionlaunch brings over 70 designer teams and collectives who havebeen part of our Hong Kong and international community foryears. This show expresses innovation, reflection, lightnessand hope; hence our DESIGN TRUST "D" has transformed fromits typical dark blue hue to a multi-coloured rainbow of hope.This rainbow is a message of optimism and resilience thatparallels the intention of this micro-initiative, where small actsof making, and gestures of generosity expand to more supportwithin and around communities, whether in our neighbourhood,our city Hong Kong or its broader region. As the prototypes arebeing crafted by these brilliant designers- each object has beenplaced under overarching themes, with some prototypes defyingcategorisation. The crafted ideas respond directly to our urbanenvironment, COVID-19 hygiene challenges, home and playinnovations, and emotional cultural objects to intergenerationalcollaborations.The role of our NGO is, in a small way, to activate positivity,add levity, and be creative under constraints, for our collectivewellbeing has been inspiring to be a part of. These homemadeobjects add so much emotion and inspiration, and I invite youto revel in them, to participate actively. Circular making andcircular giving is the core of this initiative. We hope the spheresand scales of circularity go beyond its form, value and meaningin constructive ways to shape our future here in Hong Kong andbeyond, in diverse and culturally inspirational ways.Marisa YiuCo-founder,Executive Director of Design Trust2
2020 2 : 70 D The Learning HouseDesigned by James Shen, Zang Feng, He Zhe, Anouchka van Driel and Olivia Chen, People’s Architecture Office3
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