By referring to 2047, the artists were tapping into growing fears among some residents about the increasing assertiveness of mainland China and the tightening restrictions on Hong Kong’s civil liberties. The work was shown for the first time on May 17, coinciding with the start of a three-day visit to Hong Kong by Zhang Dejiang, a member of the ruling Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee who oversees Hong Kong and Macau affairs.

It was a subtle message that might have gone unnoticed had the artists not issued an explanation. But officials and organizers are unhappy with the revelations.

In a joint statement issued late Sunday night, Ellen Pau, chairwoman of the film and media art group at the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, or H.K.A.D.C., which commissioned the artwork, and Caroline Ha Thuc, curator of the “Fifth Large-Scale Public Media Art Exhibition: Human Vibrations,” announced the removal of the artwork from the show. The video had been scheduled to be displayed on the International Commerce Center building every night until June 22.

“The disrespect demonstrated by Mr. Sampson Wong and Mr. Jason Lam against the original agreement and understanding made with the curator and H.K.A.D.C. is jeopardizing our profession and put at risk any future possibility to work further in the public space,” the statement read.

The statement said the artists had made changes to the work and had publicized these “without consulting the curator nor H.K.A.D.C.”