In an epoch where art transcends boundaries and mediums, The Peninsula Hong Kong announces the eagerly anticipated return of its global art initiative, “Art in Resonance.” Reborn on the vibrant stage of Hong Kong Art Week on March 25, 2024, this spectacle has once again asserted The Peninsula’s commitment to fostering a profound connection between contemporary art and its global audience.
Marking its resurgence, the exhibit showcases a carefully curated selection from four avant-garde artists: the esteemed Hong Kong native Kingsley Ng, alongside Elise Morin, Lachlan Turczan, and Saya Woolfalk. Each artist brings a unique, immersive experience to the legendary premises of The Peninsula Hong Kong, which is open for public admiration until May 17.
Conceptualized in 2019 by The Peninsula in collaboration with cultural savants Isolde Brielmaier and Bettina Prentice, “Art in Resonance” transcends the conventional, morphing the hotel into more than just a venue for artistic display. This programme invests in the growth of emerging talents, offering them the necessary support to bring their groundbreaking visions to life. It’s a testament to The Peninsula’s dedication not only to the enrichment of its guests but also to the nurturing of the broader cultural fabric.
Gareth Roberts, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, underlines the initiative’s ethos: “Our commitment goes beyond mere patronage; we aim to provide a fertile ground for artists to flourish, ensuring their visions achieve the magnitude they deserve.” Highlighting the programme’s scope, Roberts points to Kingsley Ng’s latest project, a testament to the transformative power of artistic collaboration.
A Confluence of Vision and Innovation
Kingsley Ng’s “Esmeralda” is a beacon of this collaborative spirit. Inspired by Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities,” this kinetic marvel, with its jade-hued ribbons, dances between gravity and air, echoing the perpetual motion of the ocean tides that have connected Hong Kong to the world.
Lachlan Turczan’s “Harmonic Resonance” delves into the symbiotic relationship between sound, water, light, and space, paying homage to the California Light and Space Movement of the 1960s. This kinetic sculpture invites onlookers into a meditative journey through the visual representation of sound.
Meanwhile, Elise Morin expands her 2019 commissioned work “SOLI,” utilizing pulverized CDs to reflect on the opulence of French palaces while commenting on the pervasive waste issue. This expansion blends science, art, and technology in her pursuit of redefined landscapes.
Saya Woolfalk’s “Visionary Reality Portal” offers an immersive, multisensory digital meditation chamber. Woolfalk’s work, grounded in her series “The Empathics,” explores themes of hybridity, spirituality, and racial discourse, transforming the visitor’s experience into a participatory act of collective envisioning.
A Legacy of Cultural Enrichment
The Peninsula’s dedication to the arts extends beyond temporary exhibits, encompassing artist residencies, enriching cultural events, and workshops celebrating each destination city’s unique essence. This enduring commitment ensures that the dialogue between art, culture, and community continues to evolve, enriching the experience of both guests and artists alike.
Following its tenure in Hong Kong, “Art in Resonance” will travel to other Peninsula properties, each time integrating new works by local artists, thereby weaving a global tapestry of artistic innovation.
In conjunction with the exhibition, The Peninsula Hong Kong will enhance the experience with a specially curated cocktail menu inspired by the art installations, available at the Felix Lab in the Collectors’ Lounge of Art Basel Hong Kong and at The Bar of The Peninsula Hong Kong.
The Peninsula offers guided tours and activities for those eager to dive deeper into this fusion of art and experience. These shed light on Hong Kong’s vibrant art scene and further solidify its role as a crucible of cultural exchange.
As “Art in Resonance” beckons from the heart of Hong Kong, it stands as a testament to The Peninsula’s visionary approach to art, culture, and community engagement—a journey not merely of observation but of profound interaction and discovery. This initiative highlights The Peninsula Hotels’ global cultural commitments and sets a new benchmark for how luxury brands can play an instrumental role in the patronage of the arts.
The opening of the “Art in Resonance” exhibition during Hong Kong Art Week serves as a momentous occasion, bringing together the crème de la crème of the international art world and art enthusiasts from across the globe. The timing is impeccable, aligning with a period of cultural celebration in Hong Kong, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement.
Kingsley Ng is at the forefront of this exhibition, whose piece “Esmeralda” becomes a living, breathing entity within the confines of The Peninsula’s iconic facade. This installation transcends the traditional boundaries of art, inviting viewers to engage with its kinetic beauty and the story it weaves about connectivity, memory, and the natural world. Ng’s work is a bold statement on the power of art to transform spaces and perceptions, making the familiar unfamiliar and the unseen seen.
Lachlan Turczan’s “Harmonic Resonance” adds another dimension to the exhibition, exploring the intersection of natural forces and artistic expression. This piece is not just to be seen but to be experienced, enveloping the viewer in a sensory exploration of sound and movement that is as thought-provoking as beautiful. Turczan’s work challenges us to consider the unseen forces that shape our world inviting a contemplative silence among the exhibition’s bustling audience.
Elise Morin’s expanded installation “SOLI” is a shimmering testament to the possibilities that arise at the confluence of art, technology, and environmental consciousness. Morin crafts a visually stunning landscape by repurposing obsolete CDs and embeds a critical commentary on consumerism and waste. Her work is a reflective mirror, urging us to consider our environmental footprint and the potential for beauty in reimagined materials.
“Saya Woolfalk’s “Visionary Reality Portal” transports visitors to a realm where art and digital technology merge to create a new reality. Woolfalk’s work is a vibrant, immersive experience that challenges our perceptions of identity, community, and the future. Through the lens of the Empathics, visitors are invited to reimagine their place in the world, a journey that is as transformative as it is enchanting.
Beyond the individual works, “Art in Resonance” is a holistic experience that extends the boundaries of the exhibition space into the fabric of Hong Kong itself. The Peninsula Hong Kong’s commitment to free public access, guided tours, and educational activities ensures that this exhibition is not just an event but a contribution to the city’s cultural landscape. It is a platform for dialogue, learning, and inspiration, reinforcing the bond between art, community, and the spaces we inhabit.
As “Art in Resonance” prepares to journey to other Peninsula properties, it carries a message of innovation, collaboration, and cultural exchange. This exhibition is a testament to art’s enduring power to connect, challenge, and inspire us. It is a celebration of visionaries who dare to imagine new worlds and the spaces that welcome such bold dreams.
In closing, “Art in Resonance” at The Peninsula Hong Kong is more than an exhibition; it is a beacon for the future of art and culture. It is a shining example of how luxury and creativity can unite to forge unforgettable experiences and lasting impacts. As we look forward to the continued journey of “Art in Resonance,” we are reminded of the boundless possibilities that await when art, in its most visionary form, resonates with the soul of the city and the hearts of its people.
Written by: Christine Nguyen
