"Man With a Book"
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 29, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LAW LIBRARY, HKU - 11:00
Quiet corner. Having read a thick book, PETER begins to have screen time.
PETER (V.O.): Gustav Klimt's last work "Lady with a Fan" 1917-1918 was auctioned and sold to a Hong Kong collector for US$105.4m.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In 1994, it was auctioned for US$11.4m. Investing in art can be a rewarding experience.
Tapping an AI drawing app, Peter creates an image, depicting the present.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): This is Peter's "Man with a Book" 11:15, 29.6. 2023.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): To me, it has aesthetic and historical significance. What would be its financial worth?
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. CAMPUS, HKU - 10:00 (Earlier)
Carrying a brief case, Peter appears alongside TOURISTS.
PETER (V.O.): I first visited the campus when I sat my A-Level Philosophy paper in 1977.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From 1977-1980, I came here three times a week to attend lectures on Housing Management.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): From 1981-1985, I read my LLB and PCLL in the Law School here.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Today in 2023, I come back to return a book to the Law Library. I'm a rarity.
RETURN TO PRESENT
On Peter's smartphone screen, we see Gustav Klimt's work "Lady with a Fan".
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Auction prices are based on the current demand of a particular work, the number of interested buyers and the market factors.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): A high price at one auction may not be necessarily replicated at a future auction.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): A famous artist's works sell higher because of name recognition.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But a lesser-know artist's works sell lower due to the lack of demand.
Peter checks his AI drawing "Man with a Book".
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's original and authentic - a unique work from me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's the state of the art. I can use block chain technology to document its transaction history if necessary.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Recognizing the changing trend, I attempt to capitalize on it.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Investing in old paintings on canvas can be risky as it's prone to damage and deterioration over time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): And authenticity of old paintings can be difficult to verify.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Furthermore, as the art market evolves, tastes and preferences also shift.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): AI drawings may impact on people's concept about art works and their value.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For many artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, their works only became valuable after their deaths.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): What's the point of having posthumous success?
Act 3
INT. LAW LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS
Peter stares at his AI drawing "Man with a Book".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Technology, like art, is an intensive exercise of intellectual activities.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When I express my aesthetic idea via Art Tech, I come up with something innovatively creative.
DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE
A. Cyber auction house. 2087. Peter Cheung's "Man with a Book" is being auctioned for Global Digital $1954 m.
B. Metaverse. We see and hear an AI AUCTIONEER saying: Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!
C. Cheung family homes. Peter's CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN and their FAMILIES are overjoyed.
FADE OUT
THE END
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