From today till November 8, 2013

Lanvin presents, in collaboration with Hong Kong Arts Centre and Public Art Hong Kong as Artistic Partners, a brand new crossover project Dialogue that merges art and fashion, will be on display at the Lanvin Central Flagship Store starting today (22nd October) until 8th November. A refreshing new look in Central -- and a unique experience -- will be on offer for the public to enjoy.

Through the juxtaposition of ceramic works and Lanvin’s fashion inside the window display, a fascinating world of mirrors and reflections is presented right before our eyes, initiating a dialogue between art and fashion. The exhibition aims to inspire new ideas across disciplines as well as to provide ruminations on the aesthetic value of fashion and the spirit of craftsmanship.  Renowned local artist and Hong Kong Art School Lecturer Fiona Wong Lai Ching demonstrates her mastery of ceramics in recreating Lanvin’s new series of butterfly-design dress, bags and shoes with clay. Both her ceramic creations and the original fashion pieces bring out the fascinating dynamic between art and fashion. The fine tailoring and soft textures of fabrics are echoed and contrasted with pottery that appears cold and immobile, yet also intimates softness, creating a riveting experience for the viewer. Ceramic leaves, insect sculptures and installations are created by a young generation of artists under Wong’s tutelage, accentuating the minimalist contour and natural beauty of both the artworks and Lanvin’s fashion. In addition, a pair of ceramic bottles, inspired by the brand’s iconic logo on the Arpege perfume bottle, tells the heartwarming story of a mother and her daughter. Another set of ceramic bowls is tailor-made for this exhibition in response to Lanvin’s python men’s accessories.

The groundbreaking use of materials and interwoven spatial arrangements in this exhibition lead viewers and visitors through a mesmerising journey between art and fashion. Is it a dress or is it just an object d'art?  Is it a window display, or is it an art space? “This unique cross-over exhibition provides the viewers with a wonderful visual and sensory experience, initiating both a Dialogue between Fashion and Art and a cross-cultural conversation between East and West,” states Ms Connie Lam, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. “We are very glad to have the dedicated support of Lanvin to make this exhibition comes true. This occasion offers a great opportunity for local artists to display their craftsmanship and creativity inspired by the unique styles and designs of French fashion. Our collaboration not only provides a unique platform to share the works of Hong Kong artists with the public, but also reinforces the vibrancy of local arts and culture. Making art more accessible in our lives has been a longstanding mission of the Hong Kong Arts Centre.”
Exhibition Details
Participating Artists: Fiona Wong Lai Ching, Lau Tak Shing, Ray Chan See Kwong, Ben Yau Man Pun, Nick Poon Fai Wong, Joey Lai Hoi Sai
Exhibition Period: 22/10 - 8/11/2013
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm
Venue: Lanvin Flagship Store, 10 Ice House Street, Central

About Participating Artists: 
-    Fiona Wong Lai Ching was born in Hong Kong. She is a renowned local ceramic artist who has been invited to various artist-in-residence programmes held in Asia, Europe and America, her works widely exhibited and collected by museums and private organizations. In 2000, she was granted the Starr Foundation Fellowship by the Asian Cultural Council to travel and study in New York. Miss Wong currently teaches at the Hong Kong Art School.

There are also Five young participating artists, all of whom are Wong’s students from the Hong Kong Art School:
-    Lau Tak Shing studied Media Arts at the Hong Kong Art School. He was the photographer and editor of a short experimental documentary The Life and Times of Ho Chung Village (2011), which won Special Mention at the 16th ifva Awards. Apart from videography, he's also fascinated by sounds collecting.

-    Having received his BA and MA degrees from the University of Cambridge, U.K., Hong Kong ceramic artist Ray Chan See Kwong obtained his BA (Fine Arts) and MFA degrees from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (in collaboration with the Hong Kong Art School) in 2002 and 2007 respectively. Chan has held solo exhibitions at the B(read) (Pottery Workshop Gallery Hong Kong, 2013), Lyndhurst Terrace 1900 (Aesop store at Lyndhurst Terrace, 2009) and participated in Art-in-residence.

-    Ben Yau Man Pun started painting and drawing before concentrating on ceramics. When he first worked with clay, he immediately fell in love with the medium. Among other forms of arts that Ben has been involved in, ceramics is his personal favourite. Ben graduated with a Diploma in Fine Art (Double Major in Painting & Ceramics) at the Hong Kong Art School in 2004, having also been awarded the“Best Artwork Award (Ceramics)”. He graduated with a B.A. Degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in 2007, majoring in Ceramics.

-    Nick Poon Fai Wong was born in Hong Kong. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the Hong Kong Art School in 2010, specializing in ceramics. One is inevitably touched by the finesse of Nick’s work, the feeling of serenity, beauty and contentment permeates in his creations.

-    Joey Lai Hoi Sai graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) program co-presented by Hong Kong Art School and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University majoring in ceramics. Her works are inspired by nature, and her curiosity extends through her experimentations with materials and techniques.

Annie Ho (Marketing & Development Director)
Tel: 2824 5306 / 9481 8706  Email: aho@hkac.org.hk