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December Contemporary Visual Art Exhibition
Vision of Nature: Lost & Found in Asian Contemporary Art
Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre
(Exhibition Period: 10 December 2011 – 29 January 2012)
Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has entered into the third year of its guest curator programme to explore curatorial concepts and artistic practices in Asia. This year, it is the HKAC’s honour to collaborate again with Fumio NANJO, Director of the Mori Art Museum (Tokyo, Japan), to curate this year’s exhibition Vision of Nature: Lost & Found in Asian Contemporary Art. Evolving around the theme of “nature”, our exhibition demonstrates how art reveals and explores nature, while studying the role of nature in Asian contemporary art.
The Exhibition showcases artworks by a rich mix of eight prominent international and local Asian artists, including ZENG Fanzhi from mainland China, Takashi KURIBAYASHI and Hiroshi SENJU from Japan, Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL from Thailand, art group LuxuryLogico from Taiwan, and Hong Kong’s PAK Sheung-chuen, LAM Tung-pang and Danny LEE Chin-fai. These works, presented in a diverse range of media and genres, including painting, installation art, conceptual art and public art, explore nature and inspire audience through art in different forms.
The Exhibition was successfully kicked off tonight (9 December 2011) with a dazzling Opening Ceremony. Officiating guests included Chief Secretary for Administration of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Stephen LAM Sui-lung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Michael LYNCH, Chief Executive Officer of Global Private Banking, HSBC Private Bank Krishna PATEL and prominent artists from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong.
Co-Curator Fumio Nanjo explained that “nature” is a guiding theme to lead viewers to reflect on their role in nature today. “In this exhibition, we will be brought to the questions of what nature is and what the life of man is - questions that can arouse endless discussions especially in this era when we care greatly about nature’s ecology and its sustainability. I hope this Exhibition can contribute to all these old and new ideas about nature by casting a fresh eye on how the subject can be approached.”
Executive Director of the HKAC and Co-Curator of the Exhibition Connie Lam remarked that the Exhibition was an opportunity for the viewers to experience “nature” and “art” in the age of ultrafast digitisation, “In this digital era, where the boundary between applied art and fine art is blurring, the representation of nature through art has become dynamic and interactive. A curatorial concept derived from ‘nature’ may develop into a metaphysical representation and transcend the meaning of nature for the beholders.”
In this Exhibition, ZENG Fanzhi laments the dark side of nature; Takashi KURIBAYASHI presents his installation made of traditional Japanese papier-mâché, creating a forest of paper; Hiroshi SENJU reminds us of nature’s rhythm and cycle; LuxuryLogico’s lamp installation realises the concept of recycling by building their artwork with unwanted lamps; PAK Sheung-chuen’s conceptual installation plays with our spiritual and physical experience of seasons; LAM Tung-pang creates works that reflect his preoccupations concerning man, nature and the environment; Danny LEE Chin-fai’s public artwork creates a spiritual calming place in the hustle and bustle of our everyday urban life.
There will be four free screenings at the HKAC’s agnès b. CINEMA of Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL’s Cannes-winning film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. The film is a sincere account of human’s role in nature and captures its audience with a mysterious atmosphere.
To allow the public a better understanding of the Exhibition and Asian contemporary art, our Exhibition is also accompanied by Co-Curator Talk Nature & Culture in Asian Future hosted by Fumio Nanjo and art education programme Art Available to All.
Exhibition Information
Curators: Fumio NANJO, Connie LAM
Eight Participating Artists: ZENG Fanzhi, Takashi KURIBAYASHI, Hiroshi SENJU, LuxuryLogico, PAK Sheung-chuen, LAM Tung-pang, Danny LEE Chin-fai, Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL
Opening Ceremony: 9 December 2011 (Friday) Starts at 6pm
Exhibition Period: 10 December 2011 to 29 January 2012
(Closed on Chinese New Year holidays: 23, 24 & 25 January 2012)
Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm (Everyday)
Venue: Entrance and the Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre
(Free admission)
Free audio guides are available for the Exhibition.
Programme Enquiry: 2582 0200
Exhibition Side Events
Curator Talk by Fumio Nanjo
Nature and Culture in Asian Future
Internationally renowned curator Fumio Nanjo will share his view on the importance of nature and culture in directing Asian contemporary art’s future development at the HKAC agnès b. CINEMA on 10 December 2011 (Saturday) from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. (Conducted in Cantonese. Free admission.)
Enquiry: 2582 0200
Four free film screenings:
Cannes-winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
Palme d\'Or Award, Cannes Film Festival, 2010
Best Film, Asian Film Awards, 2011
Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Cast: Thanapat Saisaymar, Jenjira Pongpas, Sakda Kaewbuadee
2010 /Col /35mm /108mins /Category IIA/ In Thai with Chinese & English subtitles
Suffering from acute kidney failure, Uncle Boonmee has chosen to spend his final days surrounded by his loved ones in the countryside. Surprisingly, the ghost of his deceased wife appears to care for him, and his long lost son returns home in a non-human form. Contemplating the reasons for his illness, Boonmee treks through the jungle with his family to a mysterious hilltop cave - the birthplace of his first life.
Free Admission. Reservation is needed.
Online Reservation: www.hkaconlineregistration.com/event.php?en=NDk
Enquiry: 2580 0200
Art Education Programme Art Available to All
Continuing with the success of last year’s Art Available to All, this year the HKAC organises Art Available to All again to provide free-of-charge Guided Tours and Workshops for students of the new senior secondary school structure and/or from ethnic minorities.
Enquiry: Mr. Wong (Tel: 2582 0211; Fax: 2519 2033; E-mail: nwong@hkac.org.hk)
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