Here’s something for panda fans to go ga-ga over and fly to Hong Kong – 1600 Pandas, along with French artist Paulo Grangeon, the “Father of 1600 Pandas”, arrived in Hong Kong four days ago to launch the month-long “1600 Pandas World Tour in Hong Kong: Creativity Meets Conservation” organized by PMQ and curated by AllRightsReserved.
Thousands of fans welcomed the population of 1600 Pandas at the Hong Kong International Airport. The adorable pandas will start hitting Hong Kong’s landmarks and eventually gather at PMQ for a three-week exhibition. The pandas are also put up for adoption online so they will become family members of Hong Kong people! In addition, Hong Kong is the first city in the world to host the “Made-in-Hong Kong” Paper Mache Panda Workshop, where the public can design and craft their own paper mache pandas to support creativity and conservation at PMQ!
PMQ’s Chairman, Mr. Stanley Chu says, “PMQ is a part of the Hong Kong Government’s ‘Conserving Central’ initiative; the site has become a local creative hub after revitalization. While we share the same philosophy with 1600 Pandas upon conservation and sustainable development, the event sheds light on PMQ’s objective to nurture more local design-oriented entrepreneurs and artists. The ‘Made-in-Hong Kong’ Paper Mache Panda Workshop inspires people the essence of conservation through reusing paper to design and craft their own paper mache pandas. The ‘Panda Co-Creation with Local Creatives’ program is the perfect marriage of conservation and creativity: while the pandas will bring creativity into our hub, our design tenants will showcase their talents by designing one-of-a-kind, panda-inspired memorabilia and products. 3% of the proceeds from these themed designs will be donated to WWF-Hong Kong for conservation and education. We call upon Hong Kongers to come and show their support by sharing our goals of conservation and sustainability.”
A Flash Mob lands Hong Kong with the 1600 Pandas to gather at PMQ for a finale exhibition Pandas in six different designs and sizes will roam across 10 Hong Kong landmarks from 9 to June 21 to give Hong Kong citizens a nudge of surprise! Hong Kong people are welcome to visit the pandas in Ma Wan, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the historic Hong Kong clock tower in Tsim Sha Tsui, Victoria Park and Statue Square. The paper mache pandas will even ride on trams to explore the Asia’s world city.
[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/alvinology/14209052477/sizes/z/” source=”https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/14209052477_89d5ba3d75_z.jpg”] 1600 Pandas visit Ma Wan [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/alvinology/14395494515/sizes/z/” source=”https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/14395494515_6b32108de0_z.jpg”] Crowd gawking at the pandas [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/alvinology/14394244622/sizes/z/” source=”https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14394244622_3551a1bcdd_z.jpg”] 1600 pandas scale a mountain in Lantau Island to visit the Tian Tan Buddha [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/alvinology/14394540724/sizes/z/” source=”https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/14394540724_07b9a69562_z.jpg”] The pandas having fun [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/alvinology/14372490396/sizes/z/” source=”https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5071/14372490396_7d56635efb_z.jpg”] Success! [/image_slider] [/image_sliders]
The flash mob tour will end at Hong Kong’s latest creative landmark, PMQ. The 1600 Pandas will meet and greet Hong Kongers from June 25 to July 17 at the new design and creative hub. During the period, PMQ will host the world’s first “Made-in-Hong Kong” Paper Mache Panda Workshop.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said: “We at the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) are excited to welcome the 1600 papier-mâché pandas to Hong Kong. The panda is one of the cutest animals in the world, and the 1600 Pandas exhibit is a meaningful project to raise awareness of the conservation of the endangered panda. The exhibit also adds to the fun and excitement of summer in Hong Kong, which attracts visitors with a wide range of activities, including not only the famous summer sales but also popular consumer fairs and seasonal programmes rolled out by various attractions. The HKTB is pleased to promote all these programmes and activities, including the exhibition of the 1600 Pandas at PMQ, to let visitors know what a cool destination Hong Kong is in the summer.”
1600 Paper Mache Pandas Adoption Scheme shines on conservation
Themed around pandas’ state of endangerment, the army of 1600 paper mache pandas shines a spotlight on conservation and sustainable development. While citizens admire the cute pandas, they can also participate in the 1600 Paper Mache Pandas Adoption Scheme to take home a paper mache panda after the exhibition ends. The paper mache pandas come in three sizes and two shapes for adoption. The cost ranges from $200 to $450. All proceeds will be donated to WWF-Hong Kong for conservation and education work.
World’s first “Made-in-Hong Kong” Paper Mache Panda Workshop
During the exhibition, PMQ — in partnership with its Community Creative & Culture Partner, Hongkong Land — will host the world’s first “Made-in-Hong Kong” Paper Mache Panda Workshop!
In addition, Hongkong Land will collaborate with the “Bless Hong Kong” campaign of the Societal Engagement Task Force of the Commission on Poverty, offering underprivileged children to partake in the Workshop. Participants can take part in designing and making their own version of the Hong Kong – exclusive paper mache panda designed by “Father of 1600 Pandas”, Paulo Grangeon. Registration fee costs HK$188, and all of the final products will be publicly exhibited in Central for two weeks so everyone in Hong Kong can share the excitement of recycling and environmental friendliness. Participants can take home their masterpieces when the exhibition is over. All proceeds will also be donated to WWF-Hong Kong for conservation and education work.
“Father of 1600 Pandas” makes unique pandas for Hong Kong
“Father of 1600 Pandas”, or French sculptor Paulo Grangeon, was invited in 2008 by WWF to debut his first world-wide 1600 Pandas World Tour featuring pandas of various sizes made from recycled materials to showcase the remaining number of pandas left in the world. On his first visit to Hong Kong, Paulo brought six types of different pandas to meet citizens of Hong Kong. Aside from the existing six types, he also created four more for Hong Kong — inspired designs specially for Hong Kongers. His new additions are set to debut after June.
Worldwide Launch of Uniquely Hong Kong “1600 Pandas Tour” Facebook Stickers
In addition, 23 types of uniquely Hong Kong “1600 Pandas Tour” Facebook stickers are created and will be launched worldwide on June 10. Global Facebook users can send message with the cutie panda stickers to friends to enjoy the 1600 Pandas hit.
