Bird/Cage/Twist

Bird-keeping is at the core of Hong Kong’s cultural DNA. The craft of birdcage making is one of the most intricate types of bamboo work, and it has been listed in the city’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory since 2014. Sadly, though, neither the tools nor the skills of this craft have been adequately documented, let alone the education needed to pass on this heritage. The one and only artisan who is still practising this craft is Master Chan Lok Choi, who is the 81-year-old owner of No.59 stall on Bird Garden in Prince Edward. According to an old Chinese saying, “an artisan needs the best tools to do a good job” (工欲善其事 必先利其器) — since none of the tools in this craft has been industrialised, there exists a considerable hurdle in making the skill accessible to the public. As a designer, I was taken under Master Chan’s wing for almost three years, and my team has documented and transformed some of the tools with a contemporary touch. Only through systemic documentation, revival of crafts, and the perseverance of enthusiasts can Hong Kong’s cultural DNA be passed down and shine once again.