The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong
HONG KONG, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Asia Society Hong Kong opens its new gallery with the exhibition "Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art" in the newly restored and transformed site of a former British explosives magazine. The exhibition showcases the world-renowned Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art -- gifted to the New York-based Asia Society by its founder -- shown alongside contemporary works by leading Asian and Asian American artists. The exhibition will be on view to the public from February 10 to May 20, 2012, at the Asia Society Gallery (Former Magazine A), part of the new Hong Kong Center, with state-of-the-art exhibition, performance and conference facilities, located at Justice Drive in Admiralty, Hong Kong. The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of "Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art" exhibition and the related education programs, lecture series and film series. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the Corporate Sponsor of the exhibition.
"Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art" comprises sublimely beautiful and deeply spiritual works of art, representing traditional and contemporary masterpieces from a range of Asian cultures. By featuring selections from its permanent collection, Asia Society pays tribute to its founder JDR 3rd, who hoped to illuminate Asian cultures through art.As the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding between the United States and Asia, the Society works across the fields of arts and culture, policy and business, and education. Mr. Ronnie C. Chan, Co-Chair, Asia Society and Chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center said, "Fittingly, 'Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art' showcases the complexity and beauty of our cultural interconnectedness by examining the enduring power of Buddhism in both traditional and contemporary contexts."
The exhibition showcases 13 traditional artworks from the Rockefeller Collection dating back to the late second century, shown alongside 6 contemporary works by leading Asian and Asian American artists who draw inspiration from one of the world's great religions. Through these traditional and contemporary works, the exhibition considers how Buddhist art has been transformed by local cultures from India across Asia over time. Images of Buddha and bodhisattvas carved in stone and wood, cast in bronze, and painted on cloth are included among the traditional works in the exhibition. Visitors will see four contemporary artists' individualized responses to Buddhism and exploration of Buddhist themes, from conceptual to scientific and from ritualistic to communal. Each of these artists - Montien Boonma, Zhang Huan, Michael Joo and Mariko Mori has approached Buddhism from a different perspective.
The exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to consider ideas about Buddhism, religious art and the artist's exploration of religion in contemporary contexts. Most of the works are on view in Hong Kong for the first time.
"Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art" is made possible by presenting sponsor, the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation. Mr. Robert Y.C. Ho, Chairman of the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation said, "Our mission is to promote cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and an appreciation for Buddhist philosophy and art, which combined with the Ho Family's commitment to Hong Kong's transformation over the past 150 years, makes this important exhibition a fitting venue for expressing our vision and values."
Mrs. Edith Ngan Chan, Executive Director of Asia Society Hong Kong Center, said, "In addition to showcasing the 'Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art' exhibition, Asia Society Hong Kong will concurrently offer a public lecture series on Buddhism, a Buddhist film festival, a bilingual docent program, and on-site educational programming for Hong Kong schools to teach local children about art, culture, and diversity."
The exhibition is co-curated by Dr. Adriana Proser, John H. Foster Curator of Traditional Asian Art and Dr. Miwako Tezuka, Associate Curator of Contemporary Asian Art, Asia Society Museum, New York. Dr. Melissa Chiu is Director of the Asia Society Museum and Vice President of Global Art Programs at Asia Society.
For more information and a schedule of exhibition-related events, please visit www.asiasociety.org.hk
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