Gin Shan-published new book by Audrey Eu removed from art book fair
見山出版吳靄儀新書 遭藝術書展下架
The three-day BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair at Tai Kwun in Central ended the day before yesterday. Publisher Mount Zero Books posted yesterday that the new book 《Hong Kong in the Rain》 by former Legislative Council member Audrey Eu had been removed at the organiser’s request. No reason was given, but the book had been questioned over whether it could be regarded as “art-related”. Tai Kwun, responding through a public relations company, said it had always supported artistic creation, and that “as an institution that complies with the law, Tai Kwun will observe Hong Kong laws”. Mount Zero Books said 《Hong Kong in the Rain》 was the only new local book at this year’s fair, but after being sold for half a day on the first day, it was removed for the remaining two days, adding that “the reason for the removal was never explained”. Gin Shan said it had participated in five editions of the art book fair, and that this was the first year one of its books had been questioned as to “whether it could be called art-related” and “whether it could be exhibited and sold”. Gin Shan also asked whether, if 《Hong Kong in the Rain》 was unsuitable for exhibition, the author was likewise unsuitable to share her other works with readers at the venue, and why readers were not even allowed to give flowers to the author there.
為期3日的中環大館「BOOKED：香港藝術書展」前日結束，參展的出版商見山書店昨日發文，稱由其出版的立法會前議員吳靄儀新書《雨中的香港》被主辦機構要求下架，未有說明理由，但該書被質疑「是否可稱之為藝術相關」。大館透過公關公司回覆稱，一直支持藝術創作，「同時大館作為奉公守法的機構，會遵守香港法律」。 《雨中的香港》被質疑是否關藝術 見山書店稱，《雨中的香港》為今次書展唯一本地新書，但賣了半天（首日），便在其餘兩日下架，並指「下架理由從未說明」。見山表示，曾參加5屆藝術書展，今年首次有書被質疑「是否可稱之為藝術相關」及「是否可展覽售賣」 ；見山亦反問，假如《雨中的香港》不適合展覽，作者又是否適合在現場和她的讀者分享她其他作品？又為什麼連讀者想在現場送花給作者都不被允許？