founding member of The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong (organised by Pep!)

Katterwall: What were your expectations about this project before it started and have these expectations been met?
Vangi: We never expected this project would receive such a great response! When I first saw the work at PS1 (New York) last year, I felt really touched by it as it reflects many aspects of living in a city. There aren't many community art projects in HK that the public can actually get involved in rather than only being an audience member. I think the Complaints Choir of Hong Kong serves this purpose well.

K: Tell us about the Cantonese Complaints Choir public performances so far.
V: To date there have been 5 days of guerrilla performances. We have sung at the July 1^st Demonstration at Victoria Park, Times Square, Wanchai Market, Statue Square, Hong Kong Art Centre, Walled Buildings & West Kowloon Cultural District, Clock Tower, Temple Street & Sai Yeung Choi Street, Tin Shui Wai Public Estates, Ngong Ping 360, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate plus trams, buses, the Star Ferry and the MTR.

K: This project has been covered by almost all of HK's print and broadcasting media in the last few months. What else you have wished to say to the public?
V: The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong has bridged the gap between “art ” and “general public” of Hong Kong. We are pleased that this has turned out not only be an art project, but has also shown that Hong Kong people can appreciate creativity and art.

K: What is next for Complaints Choir and / or Pep! after this success?
V: The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong will now turn into an exhibition at Cattle Depot Artist Village in August. We will organise forums to enhance discussions and also a book will be published as a project review. We are also working on introducing the Cantonese version into karaoke boxes!

The English version of the Complaints Choir of Hong Kong will be premiered as part of Summer Fling 2009.

Visit “The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong” Exhibition
9^th - 31^st August (official opening on 8^th)
1a space
Unit 14, Cattle Depot Artist Village
63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday and Public holiday: 12nn – 8pm

It all got started when two Fins, Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, discussed the possibility of transforming the huge energy people put into complaining into something more positive. In Finnish there is an expression "Valituskuoro" which means "Complaints Choir" and describes situations where a lot of people are complaining simultaneously. Their thought was to take this expression literally and organise a real Complaints Choir.

They offered the concept to various arts events around the world and it was the Springhill Institute in Birmingham, England, that got excited about the idea. The first Complaints Choir became a reality.

Participants were found through fliers and posters and a local musician Mike Hurley turned their complaints into an easy to learn song. After two weeks of rehearsing it was ready for performance. A hit was born.

After this surprise success, Kalleinen and Kochta-Kalleinen have been invited to initiate complaints choirs all around the globe.

To find out more or to see videos of Complaints Choirs from across the globe visit:

www.complaintschoir.org

http://hkcomplaintschoir.blogspot.com

August
4^th : Summer Fling 2009 with Kassia Men and Women begins rehearsals

9^th – 31^st : The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong Exhibition @ 1a space, To Kwa Wan
12nn – 8pm, Tuesday – Sunday. Entrance free

10^th - 14^th : Hullaballoo @ Sheung Wan Civic Centre

10^th - 14^th : Singing'SKool @ Sheung Wan Civic Centre

26^th : Complaints Choir rehearsal (English version) – open to everyone @ Katterwall Studio
Contact celia@katterwall.com to enrol

29^th : Summer Fling First Show @ Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 6pm
Tickets from Katterwall Office & Choir Members

September
18^th : Summer Fling Second Show @ HK Fringe Club, 8pm
Tickets from HKTicketing from mid-August

October
Rehearsals begin for Kassia Men and Women "Martini's & Mistletoe" Christmas show.

SINGING LESSONS are available at Katterwall throughout the summer
Drop celia@katterwall.com a line to enquire about availability