Poet John Giorno (American, 1936–2019) initiated Dial-A-Poem in 1968 to bring poetry into everyday life. Believing that ‘much poetry is intended to be heard, not merely read’, he invited writers, artists, and musicians to contribute works that anyone could access by dialling a hotline. The project later evolved into a gallery installation of telephone sculptures, allowing visitors to listen to randomly selected readings.

In recent years, the project has expanded internationally. Versions developed in France, Mexico, and Brazil showcase works by local makers in their own languages. Dial-A-Poem Hong Kong features newly recorded readings in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English by approximately thirty local poets, including Bei Dao, Cao Shuying, Tim Tim Cheng, Chow Hon Fai, Derek Chung, Olivier Cong, Ho Fuk Yan, Hon Ki Chau, Huang Canran, Kitty Hung, Stuart Lau, Louise Law, Liu Wai Tong, Lok Fung, Luk Wing-yu, Isadora Neves Marques, Wong Hin Yan, Jennifer Wong, Nicholas Wong, Peace Wong, Sonia Wong, Xixi, Yam Gong, Yasi, Yau Ching, Eric Yip, and Zheng Danyi, and more. Visitors can listen to the poems via telephones in the Focus Gallery or by calling a local phone number.