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One of the largest arts universities in Switzerland, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), announced today (November 26) the official opening of a Hong Kong office to start a long-term transcultural exchange between Zurich, Hong Kong and the wider Asian region.
Connecting Space Hong Kong (the Space) is located on the ground floor of a residential building in North Point and is the first regional headquarter for ZHdK. Joint artistic research projects, workshops and lectures as well as other events have already been taking place at the Space in collaboration with local arts and educational institutions since its soft launch in May.
The Space also hosts online discussion panels with artists in Zurich to enable dynamic exchanges on global arts topics and education issues. ZHdK is also planning to open a study centre with semester programmes in the performing arts in the third quarter of 2015.
The Head of Connecting Space Hong Kong, Ms Nuria Kramer, said, "With Hong Kong's unique position in the world, it is natural to locate the Space here. The city's dynamic lifestyle, remarkable geographical location and unique historical background with its blend of traditional and modern culture are a perfect mix in which our vision of cultural exchange can be achieved in multi-dimensions.
"Hong Kong is also exemplary in terms of some globalisation phenomena which strongly influence arts practice, theory and education. That is why we have chosen the city as a base for our transcultural platform," Ms Kramer added.
The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Andrew Davis, welcomed the opening of Connecting Space Hong Kong. He said, "Hong Kong's arts scene is growing fast, attracting big players such as Zurich University of the Arts to set up here. The amassing of more famous global arts operators and institutions in our city will in turn further strengthen Hong Kong's arts development foundations."
About Connecting Space Hong Kong
Connecting Space Hong Kong is a transdisciplinary and transcultural project, an initiative by ZHdK. Its two principal objectives are to explore perspectives and opportunities for co-operation between Hong Kong and Zurich and to consider the future of arts universities in the globalised 21st century. Connecting Space rests firmly on the principle of co-operation. For more information, please visit: www.connectingspaces.ch.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As at June 2014, InvestHK has completed over 3 300 investment projects creating more than 36 400 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$88 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photo, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157649067091228/.
Ends/Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:29
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