Making It with Alex See

Can art connect us to past lives, ancient folklore, and the deeper magic of the universe?In this special 1-year anniversary episode of Making It, host Alex See sits down with his close friend, muse, and creative partner in crime: British artist, designer, and long-time Hong Kong resident Kate Padget-Koh.From growing up in a tiny English hamlet and escaping bleak surroundings through handmade miniature worlds to diving deep underwater to track rare anemone fish, Kate’s life has been an ongoing search for magic, beauty, and color. We dive into her spiritual path, exploring how reading about past lives as a teenager and undergoing an Akasha reading inspired her series of global goddesses, from sea protector Mazu (Tin Hau) to the Inuit myth of Sedna.We also discuss the physical and psychological transformations of womanhood, the power of sacred art, and how Hong Kong’s creative landscape has evolved over the past 30 years.If you are an artist seeking deeper spiritual meaning, a woman navigating life’s transitions, or someone who believes there is more to this world than meets the eye, Kate’s grounded perspective is essential listening.IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:Symbiosis & Anemone Fish: Lessons on protection, codependency, and human bonds.Creating Magical Worlds: Escaping bleak surroundings through art and miniature dollhouses.Paintings That Changed Everything: How Sargent and Hockney ignited her path at the Tate.Past Lives & Soul Families: Why certain connections feel destined across lifetimes.Goddesses & Ancient Myths: Unpacking Mazu (Tin Hau) and Sedna to reveal universal oneness.Transformations of Womanhood: Reframing menopause from grief into wisdom and power.Hong Kong’s 30-Year Art Evolution: How a city once thought to have "no art scene" grew into a creative capital.Start listening to awaken your own creativity.CHAPTERS:0:00 - Celebrating 1 Year of Making It00:26 - Who is Kate Padget-Koh?01:03 - The Anemone Fish Obsession: Symbiosis & Relationships03:20 - Growing up in a UK Hamlet: Finding Magic in Nature06:17 - Leaving Industrial Towns & Building Imaginary Worlds07:38 - The Sixth Form Breakthrough: Reinventing Herself09:07 - Two Paintings That Changed My Life: Sargent & Hockney11:00 - Meeting Alex, Past Lives & Soul Families14:40 - The Sacred Energy of Art & Cathedrals16:01 - An Akasha Reading & The Year of Devotion18:01 - The Legend of Mazu (Tin Hau): Sea Protector & Dream Walker20:36 - Mermaids, Asteroids & The Myth of Sedna22:00 - Transformations of Womanhood: Menopause to Tribal Wisdom23:48 - 30 Years in Hong Kong: From "No Art" to Creative Capital25:19 - Why Civilization Remembers Artists, Not BusinessmenQUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:"What's made me who I am is all this colorful world that I've been around... always looking for some magical world somewhere else." - Kate Padget-Koh"We have to face a lot of very challenging and tragic things, and yet we've got to believe that whatever we leave transforms into something much richer and has a purpose." - Kate Padget-Koh"There's so much more available than we can currently see." - Kate Padget-KohABOUT THE GUEST:Kate Padget-Koh is a British artist, designer, and creative consultant based in Hong Kong for over 30 years. With a background across fashion and activewear, her paintings burst with vibrant colors, folklore, and spiritual depth. Her current work explores the divine feminine, mythology, and the unseen threads that connect past lives, human consciousness, and nature.ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is an artist, entrepreneur, and host of Making It with Alex See. Through intimate conversations with artists, designers, and cultural visionaries, Alex uncovers what it takes to succeed in the creative industries and champions Hong Kong as a flourishing cultural capital.CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, culture, and the Hong Kong art scene!Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Is it possible to find fulfillment by doing what you love without chasing fame or art market trends? In this episode, we meet Ray Chow, a Hong Kong artist and full-time art educator who runs ArtHub Ray in Wan Chai.Ray shares how his working-class parents supported his artistic talent, funding drawing classes when academic success was everything. After intensive art training in Mainland China, his dream of becoming a famous artist evolved into something simpler: painting what he loves.From using his father as a model to imagine himself as an 80-year-old painter to embracing the patience art demands, Ray explores the quiet joy of diligence, consistency, and creative freedom.🎧 IN THIS EPISODE:- 父母無條件支持藝術夢想- His intensive art education in Mainland China- 放低成名嘅執著，畫自己真正鍾意嘅嘢- Imagining his future self through a painting of his father- Why art teaches patience and delayed gratification- Redefining talent through hard work and dedication💬 QUOTES FROM RAY:「其實我唔係太 care 呢樣嘢，我係覺得就係淨係畫自己想要嘅嘢，即係變得純粹咗。」「繪畫有一樣嘢比較趕客嘅地方係，佢唔能夠即時有一個回報。」CHAPTERS:0:00 - Meet Ray Chow02:18 - Intensive Art Training in Mainland China03:59 - Parental Support and Sacrifice11:58 - Finding Joy in Painting16:34 - The Patience Art Requires20:00 - Choosing Passion Over Fame24:58 - Painting Dad as My Future Self39:04 - Is Art Essential?ABOUT RAY CHOW: Hong Kong artist and educator known for realistic paintings. He has run ArtHub Ray in Wan Chai since 2019.ABOUT ALEX SEE: Alex explores what it takes to thrive in Hong Kong's creative industries through Making It.📸 Subscribe for more conversations about creativity and Hong Kong's art scene!Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Turning Ocean Trash into Fine Art (ft. Nissa Kauppila) - Making It with Alex SeeWhat if you could turn ocean trash into traditional fine art?In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Nissa Kauppila, an American artist from Vermont who became the first non-Chinese member of the Hong Kong Artists Association.From immersing herself in the sensory overload of Shenzhen to mastering traditional Chinese brushstrokes under local masters, Nissa shares her journey of cultural metamorphosis. We explore her Lapsap (garbage) series, where she breaks out of glass frames by upcycling beach debris and ghost nets into hardened canvases for her rice paper paintings.We also discuss her connection to Hong Kong's environment, her partnership with marine conservation NGOs, and her generous donation of her last existing framed traditional piece to support our NGO.IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:- The Sensory Overload: How mainland China transformed Nissa's style.- Apprenticeship: Painting a single bamboo leaf for hours.- Breaking the Mold: Joining the Hong Kong Artists Association.- The Lapsap Series: Transforming beach debris and ghost nets into art.- Art as a Full-Body Experience: Traditional painting and Tai Chi.- Conservation: Partnering with Bling Bling Ocean to protect marine life.QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:"I had to reorganize myself to absorb and to love everything in it. And it completely changed who I was." - Nissa Kauppila"Does fine art have to be in a frame behind glass?" - Nissa KauppilaABOUT THE GUEST:Nissa Kauppila is an American-born, Hong Kong-based artist and the first non-Chinese member of the Hong Kong Artists Association. She utilizes beach debris and upcycled materials to create contemporary pieces that honor traditional Chinese art and Hong Kong's ecology.ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists can thrive.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

一個人可以同時係藝術家、策展人、藝評人同埋大學導師嗎？ 今集《Making It》請嚟香港當代藝術圈嘅多重宇宙代表阿三 Chan Sai Lok。阿三拒絕被單一身份定義，更討厭被問你畫咩畫因為佢認為每一個詞語背後，都充滿住社會賦予嘅框架。我哋一齊探討咗香港藝術圈點解細得嚟又好大、點解辭工全職做藝術未必最 productive，同埋藝術家應該點樣尋找最適合自己嘅 working mode。同時，阿三亦分享咗點解語言同文字本身就係極具力量嘅藝術媒介。最後，面對如果離開世界會少咗啲咩嘅終極拷問，阿三無比灑脫嘅答案，絕對會令你反思生命嘅重量。如果你想深入了解香港當代藝術嘅真面目、想打破創作上嘅樽頸，或者需要一劑最真實嘅人生哲理，呢集絕對唔可以錯過。IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:The Multi-Hyphenate Artist 多重身份的優勢: 點解阿三堅持同時做創作、策展同寫作，並將佢哋視為一個不可分割嘅整體？Breaking the Frameworks 打破既定框架: 點解藝術家最怕俾人問你畫咩畫？拆解油畫呢個詞彙背後嘅限制。The Reality of HK's Art Scene 香港藝術圈的真相: 圈子雖小，但版圖極大。重新認識充滿活力與重疊性嘅本地藝術生態。Finding Your Working Mode 尋找創作節奏: 辭職做全職藝術家反而無效率？探討最真實嘅創作日常與習慣。Language as an Art Form 文字即藝術: 展覽嘅文字論述與溝通，點解同件藝術品本身一樣咁重要？A Grounded Legacy 生命的反思: 面對生死與遺憾，阿三霸氣又灑脫嘅人生哲學：Nothing is lost.CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro: 擁有多重身份的藝術家 阿三03:15 - 打破框架：油畫兩個字背後的限制14:50 - 香港藝術生態：一個細得嚟好大嘅版圖21:30 - 全職做藝術反而無效率？尋找你的 Working Mode27:15 - 文字與論述：語言點樣成為當代藝術嘅核心40:10 - 終極拷問：如果你離開這個世界，世界會少了什麼？QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:藝術嘅時候通常都會問我，三位你畫啲咩畫㗎... 我唔識答㗎... 因為油畫呢個字係好多 framework 喺度嘅。 - Chan Sai Lok香港藝術，嗰個圈子或者參與嘅人呢其實好細，但同時亦都好大... 我哋喺呢一個圈子裏面嘅人，其實各自做緊不同嘅嘢囉。 - Chan Sai Lok（如果有一日你離開呢個世界，世界會少咗啲咩嘢？）Nothing. 冇嘢少到。因為我唔會將自己放到咁大。 - Chan Sai LokABOUT THE GUEST:Chan Sai Lok 阿三 是一位活躍於香港當代藝術圈的藝術家、藝評人、策展人、教育工作者及電台主持。擁有超過二十年經驗的他，作品經常遊走於視覺藝術與文學之間。他擅長以獨特的文字與語言作為創作媒介，並不斷挑戰傳統藝術的框架與定義，致力於推動香港藝術生態的多元發展。ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

木灰點樣可以燒成透明嘅玻璃釉面？大自然嘅鬼斧神工，又會點樣衝擊藝術家嘅創作靈魂？ 今集《Making It》請嚟擁有木工與純藝術背景、熱愛探索物料極限嘅「物料魔法師」——可樂先生 Dave。Dave 帶我哋走入佢嘅創作實驗室，分享佢點樣將大自然（如退潮樹、風化石）嘅靈感轉化為獨特嘅「陶瓷板畫」，突破傳統畫布嘅四方框架。我哋更會大爆最近一齊去景德鎮嘅奇遇記：面對酒店水浸、電單車被水沖走，點解一班陶藝家竟然可以做到心如止水、企喺度 Chill？原來陶瓷呢門藝術，成功率往往只有 70%，由一開始就注定要藝術家學識與「失敗和裂痕」共存！如果你對古法柴燒感到好奇、想知道藝術家點樣回應大自然嘅完美雕塑，或者想學習點樣優雅地面對人生嘅挫敗，Dave 嘅實驗精神絕對會為你帶嚟啟發。IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:The Magic of Materials (物料的化學魔法): 解密「柴燒陶瓷」中，高溫木灰化為自然玻璃釉面的奇妙過程。Beyond the Canvas (突破畫布的限制): 點解 Dave 放棄用塑膠彩同油畫？點樣透過泥板擠壓創造出流動嘅「陶瓷板畫」。Nature as the Ultimate Sculptor (大自然的鬼斧神工): 面對風化石與退潮樹的完美形態，藝術家的存在價值到底喺邊？The Jingdezhen Flood (景德鎮水浸奇遇記): 酒店水浸連車都沖走，點解陶藝家依然能保持極致的「佛系」心態？Embracing Failure (與挫敗共存的哲學): 連最頂級陶瓷廠嘅成功率都只有70%，教會了我們什麼人生道理。The Studio Rat (藝術家的儲物癖): 從街邊撿木頭到機緣巧合下繼承葵芳老師傅的木工工具。CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro: 專注研究物料的魔法師 Dave01:37 柴燒的秘密：木灰變成玻璃釉的化學作用04:12 突破畫布限制：擠壓與流動中的「陶瓷板畫」12:58 葵芳工廈奇遇：繼承退休老師傅的木工工具24:44 大自然的最強雕塑：風化石與退潮樹的啟發34:44 景德鎮水浸事件：陶藝家面對挫敗的「佛系」哲學QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:"其實物料的變化，有時都真係同魔術有些相似... 可能我是專注研究物料的藝術家。" Dave"你想想，其實做陶瓷的人，一開始就要保持不穩定性... 訓練了一個跟挫敗有很不同的關係，裂了就裂了。" Dave"作為一個雕塑家，你會覺得，哇我這樣做來做什麼？自然做了這麼厲害的東西，我怎麼回應？藝術家的價值在哪裡？" DaveABOUT THE GUEST:Dave (可樂先生) 是一位駐香港的藝術家，專注於物料研究與跨媒介工藝。擁有純藝術與木工背景的他，近年將創作重心轉向陶瓷，透過泥板的擠壓與混合，打破傳統繪畫的框架，創作出充滿動態的「陶瓷板畫」。他從大自然中汲取深刻靈感，並十分享受窯燒過程中的不確定性與不可控之美。ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries. CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Can buying art be more than just decorating an empty wall? In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Giudi, an experienced art advisor who helps collectors navigate the notoriously opaque art market.From working in galleries across the primary and secondary markets, Giudi developed a passion for helping people understand the unique narratives behind each piece. She shares her process of guiding clients—from setting budgets to finding artworks that create the perfect balance and "tension" in a living space, rather than just acting as background decor.Giudi opens up about the scientifically proven benefits of living with art, noting how it can boost endorphins and improve your overall physical and mental health. She explains how art acts as a time capsule for our culture and history, and why interacting with challenging pieces, like heavy ceramics or contrasting styles, sparks essential conversations.We also delve into the unique landscape of Hong Kong, discussing how the city's spatial constraints and distinct micro-communities—ranging from the fast-paced business center to its wild, natural beaches—create a fertile ground for localized creativity and new art forms.If you are an aspiring collector unsure of where to begin, an artist wanting to understand the advisory side of the industry, or someone simply looking to bring more meaning into your living space, Giudi's insights on aesthetics, storytelling, and cultural value are essential listening.🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro: Demystifying the Art Market02:15 - What Does an Art Advisor Actually Do?05:30 - The Decor Trap: Why You Shouldn't Just Buy "Decor"09:45 - The Psychology of Art: Endorphins and Health Benefits14:20 - Curating Exhibitions and Creating "Tension" in a Room18:50 - The Value of Traditional Craft vs. Technology23:10 - Hong Kong's Unique Micro-Communities and Creative Edge28:30 - Advice for Aspiring Artists: Invest in Your SkillsQUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:"I help people to navigate the free art market, which can be very dark and unclear. So I help give clarity.""Don't buy decor, buy a story. Something that's punchy, but it's very interesting because it tells something.""There has been scientifically proven from different studies that interacting with art... boosts your mind but also your body health, because it releases endorphins."ABOUT THE GUEST:Giudi is an art advisor dedicated to helping both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers navigate the primary and secondary art markets. With a deep appreciation for storytelling, aesthetics, and historical relevance, she guides clients in finding artworks that resonate personally while fostering community and cultural conversation.ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Can a photograph heal the pain of loss and remind us that we are never alone? In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Jada Poon, a corporate lawyer turned photographer and visual artist. From walking a predictable, highly successful path in law to experiencing a "soul shut down" due to misalignment with her true self, Jada made the courageous leap to pursue art and design. She shares her incredible journey, the backlash she faced, and the profound impact of a single auntie who believed in her enough to buy her first camera.Jada opens up about her recent photography exhibition, "Still with us" (光一直都在), which deeply explores the themes of love, loss, and the journey of grief. She explains how her camera serves as a tool not just for capturing images, but for fostering genuine human connections, offering people a safe space to be seen and heard. We also delve into the unique "compactness" of Hong Kong, discussing how the city's high energy and proximity make it the perfect breeding ground for creative "co-creation".If you are struggling with a career that drains your spirit, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or simply wanting to understand the power of empathetic listening, Jada's story of vulnerability and shared human experience is essential listening.🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro: Meeting Jada at the Vietnam Social Exhibition02:56 - Using Photography to Explore Shared Human Experiences04:40 - A Touching Story of Grief: Why Crying is a Gift09:46 - The Career Pivot: Leaving Corporate Law After a "Soul Shut Down"12:28 - The Auntie Who Bought My First Camera24:45 - The Importance of Being Fully Present and Listening33:00 - Hong Kong's Unique Advantage: A Compact City for Co-creation39:36 - Bridging the Gap: Bringing Creative Minds into Corporate SpacesQUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:"我最怕嘅唔係我日日喺度繼續喊，我最怕係我有一日我唔會喊... 當你唔會喊嘅時候，其實就好似代表你已經忘記咗個份愛。"- Jada Poon"點解好似我個 soul 好似慢慢每一日咁 shut down 緊呢？嗰一種辛苦係 by far worse than 冇得睡覺、冇得食飯。"- Jada Poon"We are never alone. 尤其是一個香港咁 busy 嘅 city，我哋各自都好多時 on survival mode... 當你見到同佢有共同分享嘅一種情感，就會多咗一份力量行落去。"- Jada PoonABOUT THE GUEST:Jada Poon is a talented photographer and visual artist whose work revolves around shared human experiences. Leaving behind a career as a corporate lawyer, she pursued design at Central Saint Martins in London before finding her calling behind the lens. Her recent exhibition, "Still with us" (光一直都在), explores the profound journey of grief and love. You can find more of her visual storytelling on Instagram at @JadaPoonPhotography.ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Can a banker find his true self through the chaos of permanent ink?In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Simon Shingleton, an expressive figurative artist with a multifaceted life: he is a banker, a teacher, a husband, and a father of four.From abandoning erasable pencils to drawing fast-paced figures while listening to electronic music, Simon approaches art as a way to bypass his own insecurities. We dive deep into his unique philosophy—treating his artwork not as a pursuit of a perfect masterpiece, but as a crucial tool for personal growth and discovering authentic human potential. Simon opens up about the emotional resonance of the "Ugly Duckling" story, explaining why seeing people discover their true talents brings him to tears.We also discuss how the courage found on the canvas translates into his corporate career, the unique challenges of creating in Hong Kong's fast-paced society, and why he believes businesses should open their valuable real estate to support local creatives.If you are a creative balancing a demanding corporate career with your passion, or someone wrestling with the ever-present flutter of self-doubt, Simon’s vulnerable and honest perspective on embracing life's "struggles" is essential listening.🎧 **IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:**- **The Banker Artist:** How Simon balances a high-pressure corporate career with his expressive figurative art.- **Embracing Mistakes:** Why switching to permanent fine-liner pens and electronic music helps bypass his critical brain.- **The "Ugly Duckling" Tears:** Simon's profound emotional response to seeing individuals realize their true potential.- **Dealing with Doubt:** Understanding self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy not as roadblocks, but as a constant flutter in your vision.- **Hong Kong’s Art Scene:** The unique mix of global finance and culture, and the need for businesses to support public art spaces like Wyndham Social.- **The Next Chapter:** Moving from single portraits to exploring the relationship between clothed figures and their environments, inspired by Matisse's Red Studio.**CHAPTERS:**0:00 - Intro: Hosting the exhibition at Wyndham Social01:09 - Who is Simon Shingleton? (Banker, Teacher, Father & Artist)01:23 - The "Ugly Duckling" and crying over human potential06:22 - Capturing authentic individuality in expressive art08:11 - Using permanent pen & electronic music to fight insecurity14:08 - The importance of value, friction, and embracing human chaos17:40 - Leonardo da Vinci and understanding the nature of doubt28:00 - The vulnerability and fear of a public exhibition34:00 - What’s Next: Multi-figure pieces and Matisse's Red Studio37:14 - Hong Kong's unique edge and challenges for artists43:00 - Why corporate F&B spaces should support local creativity**QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:**"I believe that you were designed... you were made to be you." - Simon Shingleton"I want to feel the friction when I'm drawing... I believe life is a struggle." - Simon Shingleton"It is a tool by which I can become more myself and hopefully... the person I'm drawing can be encouraged." - Simon Shingleton**ABOUT THE GUEST:**Simon Shingleton is a Hong Kong-based expressive figurative artist, banker, and educator. Embracing chaos and human complexity, Simon focuses on capturing the honest individuality and internal energy of his models using permanent pens and watercolour washes. He views art primarily as a tool for personal growth, overcoming insecurity, and celebrating the authenticity of the people he draws.**ABOUT THE HOST:**Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.**CONNECT WITH US:**Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Can an advertising creative director find fine art success by embracing her kitchen mistakes? In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Pyrc Luke, an artist who wears many hats. Originally an advertising creative director, Pyrc left the corporate world to study fine art at CHK. Alongside her art, she works as a freelance advertiser, barber, and even formulates organic hair products as a trichology practitioner.Pyrc dives into her unique artistic process, blending her background in conceptual advertising with kinetic art—using light and movement to explore human desires. We discuss her fascinating "Failed Eggs" series, where she intentionally ruins boiled eggs to challenge our perceptions of failure and success. We also delve into "Pleasure's Mind," a kinetic piece using a wet market lamp to symbolize turning harsh judgments into entertainment. We also explore what Hong Kong offers artists today and her pitch for a massive "playground" or maker space filled with machinery to foster creative diversity. Plus, she shares a touching story about earning the validation of her engineer father through her complex mechanical art. If you are struggling with the pressure to "be liked," questioning your own career path, or just want to learn how to embrace errors as alternatives, Pyrc's journey of asking the right questions is exactly what you need to hear. 🎧 **IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:**• **Wearing Many Hats:** Balancing life as a former ad creative, barber, trichologist, and kinetic artist. • **The Master's Interview:** How a challenging question from a chef friend after a failed Zoom interview pushed her to fight for her spot at CHK. • **Kinetic Art & Mechanics:** Building moving art without an engineering background and the proud moment her father recognized her mechanical skills. • **Pleasure's Mind:** Turning societal judgment into a dancing, entertaining experience using an everyday wet market lamp. • **Embracing Errors:** The story behind her "Failed Eggs" collection and redefining failure as just a beautiful alternative. • **A Playground for Artists:** Her vision for a machine-filled maker space to boost creative diversity and talent in Hong Kong. • **Advice to Her Younger Self:** Why we need to stop trying to be liked and start being authentic to avoid internalized expectations. Start listening to learn how to embrace your own alternatives. **CHAPTERS:**0:00 - Intro & Pyrc's Many Hats01:06 - Failing the Master's Interview & Fighting for Art01:08 - Why Kinetic Art? Asking the Right Questions01:10 - A Proud Moment: Bonding with an Engineer Dad01:19 - "Pleasure's Mind": Turning Judgment into Entertainment01:25 - "Failed Eggs": Finding Beauty in Kitchen Mistakes01:32 - The Core Theme: Human Desire & Success Standards01:35 - Advice to Her Younger Self: Don't Try to be Liked01:43 - The Dream Maker Space for Hong Kong Artists**QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:**"I would stop saying or telling her that you have to or want to be liked." - Pyrc Luke "By asking the first question, we can ask a better question next time, which also means getting closer to the answer." - Pyrc Luke **ABOUT THE GUEST:**Pyrc Luke is a Hong Kong-based kinetic artist, former advertising creative director, barber, and hair-care formulator. Known for exploring human desire and embracing alternatives through works like "Failed Eggs" and "Pleasure's Mind," her art heavily relies on light, movement, and challenging societal standards. **ABOUT THE HOST:**Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries. **CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

What happens to art when AI can perfectly generate a book, song, or movie on command?In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Denis Leo Hegic, a Berlin-based curator who challenges everything we know about the traditional art world.From debating the true definition of a "curator" to redefining the modern gallery, Denis brings a beautifully simplistic yet profound philosophy to creativity: art is not just an object, it is fundamentally an experience. We dive deep into why "human failability" and our innate mistakes will become the ultimate stamp of quality in the rapidly approaching age of generative AI. Denis also opens up about the unfair pressure placed on commercial galleries, why a museum doesn't need to be a building with thick walls, and the incredible, fast-paced potential of Hong Kong's art scene.If you are a creative juggling multiple hats, an artist questioning what "good" art truly is, or just someone looking to stop wasting their "borrowed time" on this planet, Denis’s raw and unapologetic perspective is essential listening.🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:Start listening to engineer your own creativity.CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro: Who is Denis Leo Hegic?03:30 - Borrowed Time: Why you must pursue your passion08:34 - AI vs Humanity: The new stamp of quality is human mistakes10:04 - Is there such a thing as "Bad Art"?20:22 - Is art allowed to be beautiful and decorative?28:47 - What is your deepest desire as a curator?31:16 - Looking up "Museum" in the dictionary33:45 - The problem with 60-year-old gallery formats43:14 - Hong Kong's unique opportunities and the City Museum concept50:04 - Juggling multiple hats and the myth of independence56:11 - Being inspired by friends and unapologetic artistsQUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:"If you ask AI... 'Give me a book on this topic,' and you get the best book ever written... what is left for us to do? Well, because of our own human failability, I believe in your mistakes." - Denis Leo Hegic"If you're on this planet for 50, 60, 70, 80, it's only 90 years, right? That's like a third of the life of a turtle. So you're just a little glimpse here. So maybe it's good to dedicate your time... pursuing something that you are passionate about." - Denis Leo Hegic"In Russian, 'iskusv' means 'art'. In my language, in Serbian, it means 'experience'. For me... I understood everything. I don't need to read any more books about art. Art is an experience." - Denis Leo HegicABOUT THE GUEST:Denis Leo Hegic is a Berlin-based art curator driven by a passion for continuous learning and human connection. Rejecting over-intellectualised jargon, Denis approaches art through a simplistic, experiential lens. He is a strong advocate for fluid exhibition formats, community art spaces, and treating the urban landscape itself as a living museum.ABOUT THE HOST:Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.CONNECT WITH US:Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene! 📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee