Swire New Generation - The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra presents 17-year-old musical prodigy Kit Armstrong from the US playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17. $100-$240 from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Sat-Sun, Nov 21-22. Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Street Music Series
This special music program strives to build an open music platform for local musicians to showcase their music, and nurture a unique street music culture. Fri, Nov 27, 6pm-8:30pm, free. Main entrance of Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai.

HK Picks
Haydn’s Forte
The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong will be joined by well-known pianoforte player Geoffrey Lancaster. Sun, Nov 29, 8pm. Academy for Performing Arts, Concert Hall, 1 Gloucester Rd.,
Wan Chai, 3128-8288, www.hkticketing.com.

The Spirit of Life
A charity Christmas with Austrian soprano Elisabeth Freundlinger, Peter Yue and the Nova Women’s Choir. $488 from 2893-5928 or 9101-7816. Mon, Nov  30. St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Rd., Central.

Stage

Symphony of Movements
The Hong Kong Ballet conjures visions of mythical India, WWII and the uncertainties in life’s many journeys. $120-$600 ($1,000 for VIP) from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Fri-Sun, Nov 20-22. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

HK PICKS
One-Man Star Wars
A one-man act featuring Charles Ross playing Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO and Chewbacca. For both geeks and non-geeks. $250-$550 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128-8288. Nov 24-29. Drama Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai.

Korean Fantasy—Scent of Spring
The National Dance Company of Korea brings its traditional repertoire to the city. $100-$220 from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Nov 21-22, 8pm, Kwai Tsing Theatre; Nov 22, 8pm, Yuen Long Theatre.

i-Dance Festival
Festival of solo dance and improvisation. $120 for each program from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009, discount packages available. Nov 23-Dec 6. Black Box Theatre, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, 30 Pak Tin St., Shek Kip Mei.

Sweeney Todd
The Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation presents a contemporary and stylish version of the classic musical thriller, suitable for all ages. $220 from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Nov 26-28, 8pm. Shouson Theatre, Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai.

HK PICKS
ABBA Mania
The world’s most successful touring ABBA show from London’s West End is coming to Hong Kong. $325-$595 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128-8288. Nov 26-29. Lyric Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai.

HKS for Kids - Top Scores
The UK’s favorite family concert presenter Alasdair Malloy will be on stage with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, bringing kid a night of sports music. $100-$220 from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Fri-Sun, Nov 27-29. City Hall Concert Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central.

Scotty & Lulu’s Christmas Dance Party
The UK kids entertainment duo invite children to the party, featuring all the best-loved songs and comedy routines. $290 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128-8288. Sat, Dec 5, 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm. Ball Room, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai.


Up Close - Song Kexi
Renowned Chinese contemporary painter Song Kexi talks to Penny Zhou about his military background and the importance of painterly technique after his popular exhibition, “The Happy Pose.”

HK Magazine: Growing up in Northern China in the 1970s, how on earth did you develop an interest in oil painting?
Song Kexi: By the time I went to school, all college entrance exams had been canceled due to the Cultural Revolution, and students hardly studied at school. What was the point if you couldn’t go to college anyway? But my father was a teacher, and once he looked at my textbooks and said,: “You are about to graduate high school, but what you have learned doesn’t even compare to what I learned in elementary school.” So he pushed me into learning something that I could make a living with. My neighbor was a painter, and he inspired me to begin a painting career.

HK: What’s the idea behind your “Happy Pose” series?
SK: I’ve been working on the cabbage doll paintings for almost a decade, and I’m still not done with them. For me, those little dolls symbolize nobodies—they exist, but are so often neglected. When I started, I wasn’t interested in making a social comment; I just thought they looked nice on canvas. Now, the series is all about the violation and manipulation of ordinary people, people having their space invaded by Big Brother. Other things I’ve painted, such as my funny dogs, are more for entertainment. And I like to put the Coca-Cola and McDonald’s logos together with the dogs to express my aversion to consumerism.

HK: People are curious about your days in the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Arts. Can you tell us something about your time there?
SK: Everything there was so strict, and looking back now I don’t think I ever fit in. We were trained to paint scenes in military history only—obviously I wasn’t allowed to do what I’m doing now! In the 90s, I went to China Central Academy of Fine Arts, and I started to learn about the outside world, and I also realized what I really wanted to do as a painter. That changed a lot of things.

HK: Who are your influences?
SK: When I started studying oil painting, I loved all those classic icons such as the Van Eyck brothers, Goya and Eugene Delacroix, and I even tried to imitate them. But then I realized there was no point in trying to be the next Van Eyck or Goya because nobody can recreate classics, and that what I really should be doing is painting the world I’m living in.

HK: What is the most important thing about being a painter?
SK: Not the technique. I mean, techniques are necessary, but they’re not crucial. There is a Spanish painter whose paintings look just like photographs and I remember being stunned by his astounding techniques. But I couldn’t see anything original or thought-provoking inside his works. And I don’t see the point of painting something just to fool the viewer’s eyes. The most important thing is what you are trying to articulate though your paintings, not how real they look.

To see Song Kexi’s works visit www.moongallery.org.