News and Events
An Enriching Field Trip to the Hong Kong Museum of Art
| BA students from the Arts Translation and Culture and Translation courses visited the Hong Kong Museum of Art on Monday, 24 February 2025. The field trip provided an immersive cultural and educational experience for the students. They had the privilege of exploring two compelling exhibitions—both of which offered striking perspectives on art, history, and creative expression. |
| The special exhibition “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World—Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay” presented an incredible selection of works by French Impressionist masters Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Students had the opportunity to delve into the nuances behind each painting—discovering how Cézanne’s innovative approach to form and color reshaped modern art, while Renoir’s focus on capturing the essence of everyday life continues to resonate with art enthusiasts worldwide. By observing the vibrant palettes, students gained insight into how art can reflect societal transformations—especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This exhibit served as a springboard for discussions on cultural exchange, creativity, and the enduring influence of European art on the global stage. |
| Shifting from Western Impressionism, students then explored the refined world of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Curated from the renowned Xubaizhai Collection, the exhibit “Life Planning of the Chinese Literati: Selected Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Xubaizhai Collection (Phase I)” showcased how Chinese literati shaped artistic and intellectual pursuits throughout history. Two docents guided the students through scrolls, manuscripts, and calligraphic works, explaining the meaning behind each brushstroke and the philosophical values embedded in the designs. One of the key takeaways was the concept that Chinese paintings often merge poetry, calligraphy, and imagery into a holistic expression—what the Chinese literati considered a true reflection of personal cultivation. Students marveled at the subtlety of ink washes, the balanced use of empty space, and the poetic inscriptions that accompany many of these pieces. They also learned how calligraphy has served not only as an art form but as a vital medium for personal expression throughout Chinese cultural history. |
| We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong Museum of Art for waiving the entry fees and arranging two dedicated docents—one in English and one in Cantonese—for our students. Their expertise and engaging explanations brought the artworks to life, helping students gain meaningful insights into both the artistic and linguistic dimensions of the exhibition. The guidance not only broadened our students’ cultural understanding but also offered valuable first-hand experience in how language and context intertwine—essential skills for their future careers in translation and interpreting. We also thank the staff who made this field trip happen—Dr. Chester Cheng, Dr. Lidia Zhou, Dr. Sienna Xu and MPhil student Mr. Jayson Chan. |
| For students from the Department of Translation, both exhibitions provided rich linguistic and cultural insights that are essential for refining language skills and cultural literacy. Observing docent-led commentaries in multiple languages underscored the importance of clarity, audience awareness, and precision—attributes critical to effective translation and interpreting. The students also drew inspiration from the contextual details the guides shared, such as historical backgrounds, art-specific terminologies, and nuanced aesthetic concepts, all of which helped shape accurate and nuanced translations. The field trip helps foster future translators and interpreters in professional settings, whether they are translating a museum brochure, interpreting for an international exhibition, or localizing materials for a multilingual audience. |
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