About Exhibition

“‘MEMORIES IN A VAT’” is borrowed from the philosopher Hilary Putnam’s book, Reason, Truth, and History. He proposed the ontology resulting from a thought experiment of the “brain in a jar”. This experiment with neural signals sent by nerves in the brain brings out a question: whether consciousness is what we are doing in virtual reality or life in the real world?

It reminds Lau that memory in her dream has a kind of acquaintance which is hard for her to judge the validity. Seemingly, there are plenty of questions and doubts towards the cognition and existence of the actual world.

The exhibition themed with aquarium which it was once full of lives. Yet, all fish are dead and water plants are slowly wilting now. She even forgot to look after it. Lau’s aquarium is filled with the toys like playground facilities that she used to play during her childhood, containing good memories with grandfather. She wants to cherish those memories in the vat for life long, trapping her consciousness voluntarily. Meanwhile, some forgotten objects, broken, ruined and dilapidated facilities can be seen in her paintings. By rearranging the objects, she invites viewers to stroll around her world with illusions and silence, and immerse themselves into the mystery.

About Artist

Lau Yuen Ting Rita
Rita LAU lives and works in Hong Kong. She graduated from the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) in 2018 co-presented by Hong Kong Art School and RMIT University, majoring in painting, and received the Certificate in Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Fast Track Vocational) programme – (Major in Props Making) from Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2024/2. Lau currently focuses on painting, drawing, watercolour and materials experimentation. In her art practice, she explores the possibilities between abstraction and figuration, realities and unconsciousness of memory. She was the recipient of the Talent Development Scholarship in 2015 & Reaching Out Scholarship in 2018 presented by HKSAR Government. She participated in the artist-in-residency programme and exhibition organised by Red Gate Gallery in Beijing (2018). She also actively engages in mural art and community projects. She is the co-founder of a local mural art group “Art Napping”. In 2021, she held her solo exhibition in PMQ supported by JCCAC’s Professor Mayching Kao Arts Development Fund.

Presented by Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC) in collaboration with PMQ as partner venue. Previously known as the Hong Kong New Artist Series, Hong Kong Young Artist Series –Art Chong In Lane brings a piece of the JCCAC art village to PMQ through a comprehensive range of art experiences combining art exhibitions, workshops, art collecting and souvenir shop.

Know more about “Art Chong In Lane” – Hong Kong Young Artists Series (First episode)
Instagram: @jccac_artsvillage / @ritalau_studio
Website: https://www.jccac.org.hk/?a=doc&id=9346