Déjà Vu

Internal charity auction by Brunswick MerchantCantos: 100% donations to benefit IMPACT HK.

Impact HK is a charity organisation whose mission is to help the homeless. It feels good to gift the 1st Edition of Cha Yip Daan. Note the sign: “3 for 10HKD”. The price showcases the generosity of this vendor which I thought was incredibly kind, and fitting for The Kindness of Strangers theme.

40 Local Artists Contribute:

HK$62,550 !

Kowloon City is a treasure of Hong Kong culture. I wanted to capture images that show everyday habits and design. In ‘Chay Lay Gi’, a vendor creatively uses recycled cardboard for labels, featuring her unique large handwriting of the $ sign! It’s a classic touch with a twist.

This shoot was intended to feel like a mini scavenger hunt — enjoy exploring while learning some Cantonese in this quaint neighbourhood! Special thanks to Hotel Stage for showcasing Déjà Vu at MUSE.

#dejavubymoniquelai

Hotel Stage is pleased to present an exhibition of photographs, Déjà Vu by Monique Lai 賴 昱 蓉

Our Art Bridge programme invites artists in Hong Kong to showcase their works which are inspired by the dynamism and diversity of the city. We unveil to you our community artist exhibition by Monique Lai who makes an unflinching statement and deep dive into the beauty of Hong Kong. The photographs are a visual feast of the most traditional and yet bold culture of life aspects of the city.

Playing in the waves in winter (v.)

  • Canomb Doc Joc

  • Yeuk Bo

  • Yau Yu Haa Mai

  • Sai Yee Deem

  • Cha Yip Daan

  • Dai Jaap Hai

  • Haa Mm Cha

  • Waa Mui

  • Woo Dip So

  • Gook Faa Cha

  • Gai Daan Jai

  • Chay Lay Gi

A bygone era; let’s hope not!

Capturing classic fun treats — Daily life in Hong Kong. This unshakable feeling of the past, of seeing something once before is the essence of the Déjà Vu Collection. Take a close look at these details and observe how everything is meticulously neat, tidy and perfectly unnoticed.

This is what I appreciate and want my viewers to see ~ the smallest of details make all the difference.

Muse, Hotel Stage in Hong Kong.

Interactive Play: Design Your Own Wall.

Mid-way during the exhibition, I featured four images on a magnetic wall. The objective: ‘Have Fun & Play’.

Step into a Hong Kong treasure chest of nostalgia and familiar sights. Journey back in time to discover Déjà Vu!

“Love way that you have captured the lost disappearing way of Old Hong Kong, next step make it into a movie!”

— Terry

“昱蓉，能欣賞舊物是創新之始繼續努力。人生初偶初見却以曾相識。”

“With Art Bridge, we can unearth artists that showcase our culture – our first collaboration with Monique Lai and her distinctive photographic perspective clearly showcases an aspect of Hong Kong that is taken for granted every day.”

— Hotel Stage

special thanks

I appreciate everyone who came to Jordan to visit the Hotel Stage exhibition. Especially those I did not get to meet ~ Thank You for writing beautiful, supportive messages in my journal!

This was a fun, amazing showcase! A whirlwind … I feel so lucky to be featured at Muse. Even more wonderful was meeting the guests and learning so much on what people thought of this series. Special thanks to all who visited, to Eddie So, for Kuchiichi cookies gift for guests, and to Gordon Cheung, for his elegant and modern framing.

Paul Tam, Digital Force, Gordon Cheung, Zetter Picture Framer, Sharon While, Installation Designer, Joe Wong, Graphic Designer, Alen Chen, Muse

Hotel Stage, 1 Chi Wo Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Life is a journey, not a destination," and this became clear when I started traveling with no destination in mind.