Speech by Acting CS at "Art in Use: Sculptural Objects" exhibition opening (English only) (with photos/video)

Speech by Acting CS at "Art in Use: Sculptural Objects" exhibition opening (English only) (with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Michael Suen, at the opening ceremony of "Art in Use: Sculptural Objects" exhibition at the Hong Kong Arts Centre today (December 8):

Cissy (Pao Watari) [Chairman of Board of Governors of HK Arts Centre], Monica (Wong) [Chief Executive of HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA (sponsor of the exhibition)], Sarina (Tang) [Curator], distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. It is a pleasure to join you for the opening of the "Art in Use: Sculptural Objects" exhibition.

     First of all, a warm welcome to Hong Kong to the talented visual artists from the Mainland and Brazil who are here with us today.

     This exhibition offers our community an excellent opportunity to experience the works of outstanding artists from Brazil and the Mainland as well as Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. Through creativity and imagination, these artists have transformed everyday objects into works of art which ignite our creative senses.

     This is a great way to bring art to the people.

     Cultural and creative industries are playing an increasingly important part in our community. This is one of the six areas we have identified where Hong Kong enjoys a competitive edge and that can provide added impetus for our city's growth and progress.

     Our current single largest and most ambitious project is an arts project - the West Kowloon Cultural District, or WKCD. This multi-billion dollar investment underscores our long-term commitment to the development of Hong Kong's cultural and creative activities.   The WKCD will include a forward-looking contemporary M+ institution that will be ideal for international visual artists to present their creative works.

     The first phase of the WKCD is scheduled for completion in 2014/15.  In the meantime, we are working hard to enrich our cultural software, particularly through education and audience building.

     I would like to thank the Hong Kong Arts Centre for its hard work over the years in nurturing creative talent and promoting the arts.  Also, I would like to say a big thank you to the business community.  Without your support, we would not have such a flourishing arts scene in Hong Kong.

     I wish you all a successful exhibition and a very enjoyable evening. Thank you.

Ends/Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:25

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