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The Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Mr Chung Ling-hoi, today (April 7) attended a signing ceremony at the Hong Kong Museum of Art on an agreement for a joint venture with Louis Vuitton and the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Crˆmation to present a large-scale exhibition - "Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation".
The exhibition, to be held in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, is organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It will run from May 22 to August 9 at the Museum of Art as one of the programmes of Le French May 2009.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Chung said the exhibition would bring to Hong Kong the finest collection of modern art treasures from the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Crˆmation for showing in Asia for the very first time.
Mr Chung added that the exhibition would not have been possible without a generous loan by Louis Vuitton and the Fondation. He also expressed his gratitude to the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong for their generous support over the years.
"It is the partnership among Government, the public and the private sector that has made the presentation of world-class art events possible," Mr Chung said.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony were the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Jean-Pierre Thˆmbault, the President of Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific, Mr Jean-Baptise Debains, and one of the exhibition curators, Mr Hervˆm Mikaeloff.
This exhibition will bring the story of Louis Vuitton to life, illustrating the creative process through installations combining works of art and archive documents.
It will feature a selection of works from the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Crˆmation, including a number of significant large-scale works, sculptures, photographs and installations by internationally known artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cao Fei, Paul Chan, Gilbert & George, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Andreas Gursky, Pierre Huyghe, Jeff Koons, Bertrand Lavier, Christian Marclay, Richard Prince and Yang Fudong. Works by established and newly discovered international artists working in the medium of video will also be shown. With a contemporary presentation, these works reflect the artists' talent and demonstrate the diverse creativity in art.
The Fondation has also invited seven Hong Kong artists to take part in this exhibition, showing its close ties with Hong Kong and enhancing cultural exchanges. They are Nadim Abbas, Lee Kit, Leung Chi Wo, Pak Sheung Chuen, Tsang Kin Wah, Adrian Wong and Doris Wong Wai Yin.
Louis Vuitton has been building relationships with artists, notably through exemplary collaborations with Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince. A selection of works from these collaborations will also be featured in the exhibition.
Another highlight of the exhibition will be the architectural model of the innovative building designed by the US based iconic architect, Frank Gehry, to embody the ambitions of the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Crˆmation. Combining technological and artistic innovation by using glass as the primary exterior material to complement its natural environment, this building will be located in Jardin d'Acclimatation, on the western side of the urban limits of Paris.
To enhance viewers' appreciation of the exhibition, an education gallery will be set up with introductory text, books and interesting activities. There will also be audio guides, free public guided tours, video programmes, a workshop and an exhibition web-kit.
Admission for "Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation" will be $30. A half-price concession will be available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, full-time students and people with disabilities. Free Admission on Wednesdays and the Museum Weekly Pass will not be applicable to this exhibition.
The Museum of Art is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 10am to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and Fridays, and from 10am to 8pm on Saturdays. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays).
For details of the exhibition, please visit the Museum of Art's website at http://hk.art.museum . For enquiries, call 2721 0116.
Ends/Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:16
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