Hong Kong DETOUR festival, Cultural Confectionery

As part of Hong Kong’s Art & Design festival DETOUR, Cultural Confectionery aimed to convey the fundamental notion that food is a cultural expression. Through exploring the relationship of Chinese confectionery to identity and culture, the exhibit will included a classification of Chinese confectionery, highlighting types local to Hong Kong and those that are part of a confectionery diaspora. Endless stories were recorded and collected as we strived to trace the origin of these hybrid sweets. The exhibition is a record of sweet memories: the stories, memories and traditions that surround our relationship with sweets in Hong Kong. The exhibition engaged all senses: photography shared a series of photographs exploring local bakeries and cha chaan teng culture - of both guests, owners and bakers. Complementing this, sound brought to life the distinct clamor of chan chaan teng noise and our olfactory system was engaged with a simulation of the smell these delicacies and venues.

Exhibition photography by Grisha Rüschendorf.
Exhibition texts by Dora Chan.