- I came from Hong Kong to Bergen in August to start my Master’s degree in fine art. I wanted to see what was going on in the world, and one of my classmates had been here before. She told me that it was fantastic and that the atmosphere was open and people were friendly. I feel that the air is fresh here and the rhythm is slow so I can enjoy my time better.
She lives at Fantoft student hostel were she shares a flat with a German girl. At school she spends most of her time with her friends who are also exchange students.
Foto: Audun Nygaard
Curious Artist
Chung studies fine art at Bergen Academy of the Arts. Her Master’s project represents the tragedy of moths flying into fire. She explains:
- Moths are attracted to fire. They never learn the lesson and therefore sacrifice their lives. In my project, the moths are sound objects in metal, and will become an installation or a performance.
Why did you want to become an artist?
- Because I am curious. I really like to explore different materials and I have many strange thoughts. As an artist I have a fantastic opportunity to explore myself and be involved in some interesting adventures.
A Typical Student Day
In addition to lectures, she spends a lot of time in her work room at school. Here she works on her project and meets the other students. The students are familiar with each other’s projects; they discuss them and share their comments. At night the students often gather at Landmark, a place connected to Bergen Kunsthall, one of Norway’s largest institutions of contemporary art.
- Landmark is kind of my living room in Bergen. There we go to enjoy performances, experimental art and good concerts. We also visit openings at USF and Galleri Fisk.
Bergen is a SimCity
Chung describes Bergen as a SimCity.
- The city is so ideal. Everything is arranged so properly compared to Hong Kong where you can see that the buildings are built upon each other in a disorganized way. I really like the aesthetics of the mountains in Bergen. You can see the terraces and the houses built into the mountains – it is very beautiful!
The Different Seasons
Since she came to Bergen in August she has noticed the changes throughout the different seasons.
- In August, you can go the whole day without the feeling of nighttime creeping up. At ten or eleven in the evening the sun sets, but it still feels like daytime. In December, though, you do not have daylight… Also, the trees changed during this period. The leaves on the trees were very beautiful and green when I arrived. Then they became thin, dry and very crispy - like potato crisps. And suddenly they were gone.
Future in China
After she finishes her Master’s degree, her plan is to go back to China. China is changing a lot, and the Olympics in 2008 can give some opportunities and chances. She values her experience from Europe and wants to go back and make use of it in her home country.
- Your culture affects your work. In Hong Kong we are tiny workers. But here you have more space, and western people enjoy building things. I was so surprised by their ability to build things, but I also make things bigger now. It reflects my space.
Because of the important experiences she has acquired during her stay, she recommends other students to go abroad for their studies.
-You know, books are books. But when you go abroad to study you can really experience what is going on other places and how people on the other side of the world are thinking.
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