Gallery HZ is delighted to present “The Happy Hours”, a solo exhibition by Hong Kong artist Ghost Mountain Field. This is the artist’s second solo presentation at Gallery HZ, following his first titled “Chop Suey” in 2020. “The Happy Hours” will run from September 16th to October 23rd 2021, with an opening reception on September 16th from 6 to 9pm.

“The Happy Hours” is a culmination of Ghost Mountain Field’s multifaceted practice, showcasing new works exploring entertainment culture through Cantonese pop culture and social traditions, and how they influence cultural taste within the context of contemporary Asia.

​One of the facets of Hong Kong society is that we emphasise the needs and goals of community as a whole over the desires of individuals, social behaviour also tend to adhere to a standard norm that helps maintain social tempo. Hence, it is also beneficial for members of such a society to share similar cultural tastes which facilitates a vibrant social life. Such a phenomenon propels status culture in which social groups are encouraged to adhere to their own cultural tastes and styles to reinforce their shared social connections. This is further amplified by the rise of social media which brings with it a sense of cultural urgency and media-prompted anxiety to stay continually relevant. Search engines tailor news and images to what we like and prefer rather than prompting counter-opinion or taste. Subsequently, our vision becomes narrow and the ability to expand our experience and taste palette become incredibly limited. Under such context, it is no surprise that we observe a general homogenisation of taste and style around Asia.

Gallery address: 222 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan