Lap-See Lam

192 Wing Lok Street presents a new body of work by Lap-See Lam that encompasses hand-blown glass works, as well as installation and sound. Drawing on collective and personal stories, the exhibition unfolds as a series of material and narrative translations across generations and locations.

The exhibition begins in the Secession’s foyer, where a large-scale bamboo sculpture occupies the center of the space, appearing to pierce through the building. The basement gallery, located directly beneath the main entrance area, is illuminated by a chandelier reminiscent of root systems, while mandarins are scattered in the corners of the room. The exhibition title refers to a street in Hong Kong where the artist documented bamboo scaffolding, as commonly used in construction. The same street also plays a role in her family history: her grandmother once worked there as a fruit seller.

The exhibited works allude to these scaffolding constructions: now they are isolated, reshaped, re-worked, and placed on polished mirrored surfaces that reflect their surroundings. One work, combining real bamboo and glass, hangs directly on the wall, clearly referencing the material basis and symbolic value of these two elements. A continuous hum runs through the exhibition. Composed by Marlena Salonen and Linus Hillborg, it emanates from a repurposed air conditioning unit, as commonly found on building facades worldwide.

We thank Wai Yee Lam, Stanislas Colodiet, and Hampus Larsson for their continuous support, dedication, and care.

Artistic advice: Carl-Oskar Linné

Technical direction: Martin Christensen

Music and sound design: Linus Hillborg & Marlena Salonen

Technical implementation of the air conditioning unit: Björn Anéer

Cirva technical team: Alexandre Mouillet, Fernando Torre, Cyrille Rocherieux, David Veis, Thomas Paynel, Ninon Courtaud, and Anne-Cécile Durand