Kingsley Ng’s Esmeralda: A Triumph of Engineering and Artistry
During Hong Kong’s recent art week, the Peninsula Hotel became the backdrop for a stunning new installation by local artist Kingsley Ng. Entitled “Esmeralda,” the piece captivated onlookers with its intricate fabric strips suspended across the hotel’s façade, a testament to both artistic vision and engineering ingenuity.
Ng’s creation, composed of jade-colored ribbons spanning 36 meters in length, is a marvel of technical prowess. Each ribbon is meticulously controlled by motorized winches, allowing Esmeralda to gracefully dance between the forces of gravity and the buoyancy of air. Joe Walker, the principal engineer with Prime Consulting Engineers Ltd, played a vital role in realizing Ng’s vision, ensuring stability and control even in high winds.
The installation presented unique challenges, as the Peninsula Hotel is a protected heritage building with limited access to its façade and no original building records. Walker and his team employed innovative methods, including scale modeling and wind simulations, to overcome these obstacles and ensure the safety and integrity of the installation.
Inspired by Italo Calvino’s novel “Invisible Cities,” Esmeralda is a reflection of Hong Kong’s urban complexity, with its labyrinthine layout mirroring the city’s intricate network of routes and pathways. Ng’s work is part of Art in Resonance, a program curated by Bettina Prentice and Isolde Brielmaier, showcasing commissioned works by leading contemporary artists.
Ng’s dedication to his craft is evident in every aspect of Esmeralda’s production and installation. From meticulous planning to rigorous testing, the project embodies a harmonious blend of artistic expression and technical expertise. As Ng aptly puts it, “Every project takes a tremendous amount of time and effort… it takes a collaborative village to see to every aspect and carry the project through.”
As part of the Art in Resonance program, Esmeralda joins works by other acclaimed artists, including Elise Morin, Lachlan Turczan, and Saya Woolfalk, offering viewers a diverse and immersive artistic experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness these extraordinary creations, on display until May 24th.
