Since late March 2025, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has partnered with renowned Chinese artist Xu Bing to present “Eying East, Wondering West – Square Word Calligraphy Classroom”. This innovative exhibition is hosted at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMOA) and extends to public installations at MTR stations, including Sheung Wan, Admiralty, Exhibition Centre, and Wan Chai. The exhibition not only highlights Xu Bing’s creative approach to language but also sparks conversations that resonate with Hong Kong’s vibrant multilingual culture.
Xu Bing and Square Word Calligraphy
Born in 1955 and raised in Beijing, Xu Bing has long explored the interplay of language and culture. In 1993, during a trip to the U.S., he found himself struggling with language and cultural differences, which sparked the idea for Square Word Calligraphy. This art form arranges English letters into structures resembling Chinese characters, creating a visually striking hybrid. In 2024, Xu was nominated as Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion for a term of five years.
Exhibition at HKMOA
“Xu Bing in Hong Kong: Square Word Calligraphy” is the artist’s first major project in the city.
The exhibition is designed as an immersive, classroom-inspired experience, divided into three interactive sections: Appreciation, Learning, and Application. Each section guides visitors through the process of understanding, practicing, and creating their own Square Word Calligraphy compositions.
1. Appreciation
The Appreciation Corner introduces visitors to Xu Bing’s works, including exclusive couplets created specifically for this exhibition. This section offers a first glimpse into this innovative calligraphy.
2. Learning
Entering the Learning section brings a wave of nostalgia, as the classroom setting resembles those from childhood. This area features a blackboard and two screens displaying tutorial videos on writing Square Word Calligraphy.
Visitors are welcome to take a seat and practice with traditional calligraphy brushes and copybooks. They can dip their brushes in water and start writing on calligraphy cloths. Since the clothes are reusable, they can continue practicing as long as the clothes dry.
“I didn’t expect this experience—it reminds me of the days I practiced Chinese calligraphy, but this time it’s a completely new style,” says Denise Yiu, a 22-year-old university student.
3. Application
In the Application section, visitors can eventually put their skills to work. Each participant is assigned an iPad to complete the phrase “Connect Art With ___”. Then, they can design a word of their choice in the form of Square Word Calligraphy using the provided strokes. Visitors can arrange their words freely, following the structure of Chinese characters. Once finished, they can take their personal art piece home by downloading it via a QR code.
MTR Installations
To bring art beyond the museum into everyday life, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) collaborated with the MTR Corporation to display Square Word Calligraphy at key stations—Admiralty, Wan Chai, Exhibition Centre, and Sheung Wan until September 2025.
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Station names are presented in Xu’s distinctive calligraphy in high-traffic areas. These installations are placed in busy transit zones where pedestrians pass by daily. The LCSD hopes to infuse art into daily life, making it a part of the everyday experience for countless commuters. Additionally, these three stations were specifically chosen because they serve as major hubs for cultural events during the “Super March” festivities, further enhancing the connection between art and community engagement.
By integrating Xu Bing’s work into both museum and public spaces, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) aims to make art accessible and meaningful, inviting Hong Kong’s residents and visitors to engage with a dynamic fusion of language, culture, and creativity.