A HK$500,000 government-funded white rose installation has been updated to include multi-coloured LED flowers following criticism that they resembled funeral flowers.
Last week, Jack Cheung, a Kwun Tong district councillor, said on Commercial Radio that he knew the Home Affairs Department and the installation’s contractors were in discussion about refreshing the installation outside East Kowloon Cultural Centre in Ngau Tau Kok.
Photos circulated of the installation last Wednesday, showing rows of LED roses that were white in the day, when they were not switched on. At night, the flowers were lit up in blue.
Online commenters suggested that the daytime display was haunting, resembling flowers in memorial halls or placed by tombstones.
Some joked that the flowers were a reminder that Ching Ming Festival, a public holiday for honouring the dead, was approaching.
The flower installation is part of the government’s effort to set up photo spots around the city.
Chief Executive John Lee said in his Policy Address last year that each of Hong Kong’s 18 districts would be given funding to propose a “distinctive photo-taking landmark.”
The project is overseen by the Home Affairs Department’s District Youth Community Building Committees and was unveiled ahead of this week’s Art Week.
