October 19, 1996, was just another day for many Hongkongers, apart from a minor typhoon which brought heavy rain. Some enjoyed time with their families that Saturday, others went to the races, a few went to church. The weather that day failed to deter art lovers, with 122 separate events staged across the city. In those final months of British colonial rule, there were few boundaries between art and politics. Earlier in 1996 a play had been performed which featured Article 23 of the Basic Law, due to come into force after the Handover to China on July 1, 1997. There was also much speculation a…