In the past, the Kau Sai villagers made a living by fishing, often working from sunset to sunrise. When the moon was high in the sky, it was prime time to go out to sea and cast their nets. Villagers have the wisdom and experience to predict the weather and the conditions of the sea with just one glance at the sky. In addition to their earthly knowledge, Kau Sai villagers call upon their deity, Hung Shing, to protect them all. Villagers “listen to the sky” and leave their destiny in the hands of the cosmos and at the mercy of nature. The “sky” represents the weather and their deity. Although villagers’ way of life has changed, and most of them live elsewhere, they still share the same sky. Now “sky” is not just an indicator of day and night, but a vital connection between villagers near and far.

The HKU Village Commoning Team, villagers, and the “sky” come together to create a canopy that is comprised of the sky’s natural colours and patterns collected from villagers; different colours, different stories, but from the same sky. Piece by piece, story by story, all of the elements intertwine, embodying the sentiments of Kau Sai villagers.

Gazing at the thousands of colours of the sky, the colourful pieces flutter in the breeze, and the light and shadow gently cast upon you − gathering under the canopy, villagers and visitors are blissfully reunited with the “sky”.