滑翔而上的飛機，擁擠的客運大樓以及標誌性的跑道,這些曾經是開啟塾機場73年來作為香港飛向世界大門的日常景象與聲音。但在1998年7月6日，當國泰CX251航班飛往倫敦的時候，機場的燈光被關閉，標誌著一個時代的終結。對於那些曾經旅行過啟德機場或曾經觀看過從其標誌性跑道起降的人來說，啟德機場在他們的心中佔據著特殊的地位。雖然機場不復存在，但它的精神仍然活在那些經歷過它的人的記憶中。

Soaring planes, crowded terminals, and an iconic runway – these were the everyday sights and sounds of Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong’s gateway to the world for 73 years. But on July 6, 1998, the airport’s lights were switched off as Cathay Pacific flight CX251 departed for London, marking the end of an era. Kai Tak Airport holds a special place in the hearts of many people who have fond memories of traveling through it, or for those who used to watch planes land and take off from its iconic runway. While the airport may be gone, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who experienced it.

Why It Matters

現在，在啟德機場關閉25年後，藍蓮花畫廊舉辦了一個展覽，展示Greg Girard 和卞迪秋在機場最後幾天拍攝的照片，讓我們重溫它活潑的氛圍和獨特的方式，與許多香港人的心聯繫在一起。此展覽提供一個懷舊的機會，重新造訪形塑香港航空歷史數十年的歷史機場。這些照片旨在保存啟德機場的精神，讓參觀者回到這些飛機仍然在繁忙城市上空翱翔的時光。

Now, 25 years after Kai Tak’s closure, Blue Lotus Gallery is hosting an exhibition featuring photographs by Greg Girard and Birdy Chu. Their shots capture the airport in its final days, reminding us of Kai Tak’s lively atmosphere and distinctive approach that holds a special place in the hearts of many Hong Kongers. This exhibition offers a chance for a nostalgic look back at a historic airport that shaped Hong Kong aviation history for decades. The photographs aim to preserve Kai Tak’s legacy for future generations, transporting viewers back to a time when its aircrafts still soared above the crowded city streets.

3 Highlights

• 自機場停用以來，那些飛機飛越九龍半島上空的畫面只剩餘追憶，震耳欲聾的引擎聲亦成了絕響；即使機場的原址現已孕育出一片新天地，但啟德卻成為了大部份香港人心目中不可磨滅的回憶，於香港文化烙下了深刻的印記，至今仍然能夠引起大眾的廣泛討論和關注。
• Since the airport’s closure, the sight of planes flying across the Kowloon peninsula became a thing of the past, but Kai Tak has made its mark in Hong Kong’s culture, garnering much discussion and awareness into the present day, even as the airport’s site took on a new life.

• 啟德機場，又稱香港國際機場，是香港從 1925 年到 1998 年的主要機場，亦是香港航空史上的重要里程碑。機場位處人口密集的九龍城區，儘管只有一條跑道，但多年來逐漸成為亞洲最繁忙的機場 之一。
• Kai Tak Airport, also known as the Hong Kong International Airport, was the main airport of Hong Kong from 1925 to 1998. The airport was originally built as a small runway in Kowloon Bay in 1925, and was expanded over the years to become one of the busiest airports in Asia.

• 由於地理位置的獨特性，飛機師必須穿越一系列山丘和建築物，並於降落之前轉急彎低飛繞 過山嶺；此舉對駕駛技術要求甚高，因此啟德機場擁有「全球十大危險機場」的稱號。
• The airport was known for its challenging approach, since pilots would have to navigate through a series of hills and buildings, making the sharp turn to land on the runway before reaching Checkerboard Hill. Surrounded by densely populated areas and mountains, the location of the airport inly added to the difficulty of approach and landing.

Background – Greg Girard & Birdy Chu:

Greg Girard是一位加拿大攝影師，以探索亞洲社會和城市景觀的作品而聞名。他於1955年出生在溫哥華。 Girard的早期作品集中在溫哥華的城市景觀上，但在1970年代中期，他開始在亞洲各地旅行，拍攝香港、曼谷和東京等城市。他因對亞洲快速變化的城市環境的精辟和經常引人入勝的影像而聞名。

Greg Girard is a Canadian photographer who is known for his work exploring the social and urban landscape of Asia. He was born in Vancouver in 1955. Girard’s early work focused in the urban landscape of Vancouver, but in the mid-1970s, he began travelling extensively throughout Asia, photographing cities suchg as Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Tokyo. He has since become known for his insightful and often haunting images of the rapidly changing urban environments of Asia.

Birdy Chu是一位藝術家、攝影師和電影導演，常駐香港。他在家鄉學習設計，後來在加拿大學習電影和視頻製作以及高級攝影。 Birdy的作品在全球各地的電影節和藝術書展上展出。他因其卓越的才華而受到認可，是著名獎項的入圍者。

Birdy Chu is an artist, photographer and film director based in Hong Kong. He began his creative journey by studying design in his hometown before pursuing film and videoproduction, as well as advanced photography in Canada. Birdy’s works have been showcased in various film festivals and art book fairs across the globe. He has been recognized for his exceptional talent and was a finalist in prestigious awards.

Final tips:

抓住這個機會，重新回顧逝去的時代，沉浸在航空和香港文化的迷人世界中！

Take this chance to revisit a bygone era and immerse themselves in the captivating world of aviation and Hong Kong’s culture!

再見啟德，謝謝你! | Goodbye Kai Tak and Thank You

Date:

2023.6.30 – 2023.7.30

Venue:

香港上環磅巷28號 Blue Lotus Gallery

Blue Lotus Gallery, G/F, 28 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Photo Courtesy of Blue Lotus Gallery