HKDI Launches Immersive Exhibitions: Explore Impressionism and Guangzhou Design

Speech by SCST at opening ceremony of HKDI Gallery 2024-2025 Flagship Exhibitions - "Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874 - An Immersive Expedition in Virtual Reality" and "The Warm-beings: Guangzhou Design Triennial - Hong Kong Exhibition"

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) Gallery 2024-2025 Flagship Exhibitions - "Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874 - An Immersive Expedition in Virtual Reality" and "The Warm-beings: Guangzhou Design Triennial - Hong Kong Exhibition" today (January 23):

Mr Tony Tai, Chairman of Vocational Training Council, Ms Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I am most delighted to witness with you the grand opening of two incredible exhibitions - "Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874" and "The Warm-beings: Guangzhou Design Triennial - Hong Kong Exhibition".

"Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874" is an innovative exhibition that transports visitors back in time 150 years to the birth of Impressionism. Enriched with unpublished research, unique 3D reconstruction and virtual reality, visitors will meet history-making artists such as Monet and Renoir in a whole new way to discover the works and places that marked the beginnings of the Impressionist movement. I am delighted that this is the second Impressionist exhibition I officiated within a week, as the Hong Kong Museum of Art had just opened its exhibition featuring Cézanne and Renoir last week. I am also very glad to note that the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Design Institute are exploring collaborations on promotion so that lovers of Impressionism can make the most out of the two exhibitions.

"The Warm-beings: Guangzhou Design Triennial - Hong Kong Exhibition" is a curated edition of Guangzhou Design Triennial 2024 by the Guangdong Museum of Art. With "warmth" as its theme, the exhibition showcases pieces of 17 prominent Mainland and Hong Kong designers and studios, and aims to explore the social value of design. It also offers an opportunity for designers from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and their international counterparts to delve into the development and research of design, as well as the contemporary beliefs and social values.

The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government promulgated the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development in November 2024. The Blueprint sets out a clear vision, principles and strategic directions for the development of the arts and cultural industries, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The partnership between the Hong Kong Design Institute and cultural institutions from all over the world is essential in underpinning Hong Kong's status as a global hub for design and creativity.

My bureau, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, will continue to support and collaborate with key strategic partners and industry stakeholders, including the Vocational Training Council (VTC), to drive the development of arts, culture, and creative industries. In particular, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the VTC for its outstanding efforts in presenting these eye-opening and thought-provoking exhibitions.

My special thank also goes to Musée d'Orsay, GEDEON Experiences and the Guangdong Museum of Art, for co-organising these exhibitions with the VTC. I am certain that visitors will find great enjoyment in these remarkable and innovative pieces.

I wish these exhibitions every success and everybody an enjoyable evening. Thank you.

Toronto ETO supports Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Canadian debut

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) supported the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble in making its inaugural Canadian debut in October. The Ensemble held concerts entitled "Resonance of Dunhuang" alongside academic lectures in Toronto and Ottawa on October 9 and 10 (Toronto time) respectively, fostering cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Canada. The events attracted over 1 000 guests.

The "Resonance of Dunhuang" concerts featured eight outstanding young Hong Kong musicians playing original compositions on replicas of ancient instruments. Coupled with dynamic visual projections inspired by the Dunhuang murals, the performances transformed ancient cultural treasures into an immersive audiovisual feast.

To enrich the cultural elements of the concert experience, the Ensemble also presented several academic lectures delivered by renowned Dunhuang art scholar and former Director of the Dunhuang Academy, Dr Zhao Shengliang, who provided comprehensive analyses on the artistic essence of the Mogao Caves murals.

The Toronto ETO hosted a reception on October 9 (Toronto time) at the first stop of the tour in Toronto. Speaking at the event, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Bill Wong, said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) had just announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR (2026-2030), which reaffirms Hong Kong’s important role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, as well as its mission to promote the profound traditional Chinese culture and develop cultural contents with Hong Kong characteristics.

Mr Wong said, "The Toronto ETO is honored to support this tour. Through the power of music that transcends languages and cultures, we are delighted to showcase the rich facets of profound Chinese culture to Canadian audiences."

Funded by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the tour received support from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the Canada-China Cultural Development Association, among other organisations.

Toronto ETO supports Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Canadian debut Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Toronto ETO supports Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Canadian debut Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Toronto ETO supports Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Canadian debut Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Toronto ETO supports Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Canadian debut Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Toronto ETO supports Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Canadian debut Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases