New funding to revitalise Hong Kong's traditional art and promote digital transformation

Key Concepts:

• Traditional Art Revitalization
• Digital Transformation of Culture Industry
• Generative AI in Craft Preservation
• 3D Space Recreation for Skill Transfer
• Digital Human for Cultural Heritage
• Virtual Reality Museum Tours
• Technology in Cultural Education

1. Generative AI for Porcelain Paint Mastery:

• Hong Kong Polytechnic University is using generative AI to capture the skills and techniques of a porcelain paint master.
• The goal is to attract younger generations and simplify the learning process of traditional crafts.
• The AI aims to reduce the "tedious" aspects of the craft-making process into simpler, more engaging steps.

2. 3D Space Recreation for Craft Education:

• The project uses technology to recreate a three-dimensional space, vividly replicating the craft-making process.
• This allows apprentices to observe the process from different angles, unlike traditional 2D videos.
• This approach addresses the challenge of fewer master artisans and a lack of apprentices.

3. Technology as a Last Resort for Knowledge Transfer:

• Technology is seen as a crucial tool to capture and pass on knowledge, especially when master artisans are dwindling.
• Digital technology and virtual reality can visualize processes, making them easier for students to understand, especially when masters struggle to articulate techniques precisely or use terminology understandable to younger generations.

4. Digital Human for Tanka Community Heritage:

• Students are using AI to generate a digital human representing the Tanka community (boat dwellers).
• The digital human will share the history and experiences of this disappearing indigenous group.
• The aim is to digitalize aspects of the culture that are disappearing and engage young people through interactive technology.

5. Museum Efforts to Preserve Crafts and Culture:

• Local museums are actively working to maintain interest in crafts and culture.
• Exhibits showcase traditions like making a Chong Sam, building a bamboo theater, and crafting a lion's head.
• The museum features over 40 different traditions, cultures, and crafts synonymous with Hong Kong.
• The goal is to spread knowledge about the techniques of these crafts and keep the practices alive.

6. Virtual Reality Museum Tours:

• A PhD project is developing VR tours of the museum, allowing users to experience exhibitions virtually.
• The project aims to launch in locations like libraries and schools by the end of the following year.
• VR aims to make traditional crafts and culture more accessible and engaging, especially for young people.

7. Conclusion:

• The integration of technology, including generative AI and VR, is seen as a vital strategy for revitalizing traditional arts and promoting the digital transformation of Hong Kong's culture industry.
• These initiatives aim to preserve cultural heritage, engage younger generations, and make traditional crafts more accessible to the public.