Art is what remains when all the rest has vanished - Michael Lynch

To make the HK$21.6 billion project work, Michael Lynch vowed to work hand in hand with British architect Norman Foster to make the West Kowloon Cultural District sustainable and energy efficient. He praised the great attention to environmental friendliness in Foster’s proposal and believed that it is in line with public expectations. 

 

Having worked in the London Southbank Centre and the Sydney Opera House, he pointed out the importance of the location of cultural venues. The West Kowloon shares this same characteristics with the two cultural zones, which are located in the main hub with convenient transportation. The third key factor is accessibility. Lynch said that art centres should be open to everyone as a matter of principle, referring to people with disabilities and people with different financial and cultural backgrounds. 

This seems to imply that the future West Kowloon will not be restricted to the elites nor minorities. Lynch emphasized the importance of public participation. He hoped Hong Kong people would recognize that West Kowloon belongs to them. They are the owners of the asset.

 

Lynch was largely credited with the turnaround of the Sydney Opera House. Before he took office in 1998, the Sydney Opera House held only expensive classical concerts and ballets. He made a bold decision in opening outdoor cafes and bars to draw crowds. In 2002 he was responsible for the transformation of the London Southbank cultural precinct. By opening public spaces, setting up dining facilities and organizing free entertainment, he successfully created a lively and vibrant cultural scene.

 

The transformation turned the culture zones into tourist destinations, but Lynch stressed that "We do not want to be Disneyland". The focus is still to develop the local audience. He also recalled that after the 911 attacks in the United States, the audience of the Sydney Opera House dropped 40 to 45 percent as many flights were grounded. About 45 percent of the audience used to be tourists, therefore he noted that it is important to maintain the right balance and avoid depending solely on locals or tourists.

 

Lynch compared the West Kowloon to racecourses in Hong Kong and suggested it should attract all Hong Kong citizens, but stressed that it will not be highly commercialized, “With no disrespect to shopping malls, we are not recreating a shopping mall experience.” He is committed to create a unique cultural place for everyone with his team and establish partnership with cultural and educational organizations, arranging artists or groups in residence.

 

Michael Lynch took office on July 25, 2011, succeeding Graham Sheffield who resigned earlier this year for health reasons. It is no easy job to lead this grand cultural oasis project that began in 1999. Proposals were dismissed and were the subject for talks for years. No wonder the guest of honour at the opening ceremony and board member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Ms Yip Wing-sie, jokingly remarked, “I don't envy your job”. Undeterred, the 60-year-old Lynch gracefully concluded his speech with a verse, “Art is what remains when all the rest has vanished”.