Oi! (Hong Kong) 3.26

Oi! is an organisation in Hong Kong, developed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, that aims to promote visual arts by providing a platform for art exhibitions, forums and other art-related activities. It is situated at 12 Oil Street, Fortress Hill, North Point, at the corner with Electric Road. The address in Cantonese sounds like "Oi!".BuildingsThe organisation is housed in a complex that comprises a main building and two ancillary buildings. The complex was built in 1908 and served as the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club headquarters and clubhouse until 1938. Built in the Arts and Crafts style, it was officially opened on 21 March 1908 by the then Governor, Sir Frederick Lugard. The site lost its initial waterfront location due to subsequent reclamation, and the Club headquarters moved to Kellett Island.After World War II, the buildings were used as a garage, government staff quarters and as a storage for the Government Supplies Department until 1998. They became part of the larger Government Supplies Department compound, that included the Department's headquarters. From 1998 to early 2000, the buildings of the compound were leased on a short term basis. They attracted a number of creative teams to develop arts in the area and housed the Oil Street Artist Village (油街藝術村). The government finally evicted the tenants, citing the occupants' lack of permits or insurance. A number of artists relocated to the Cattle Depot Artist Village in 2001. More recently, the buildings were used as a storehouse of the Antiquities and Monuments Office until late 2007.