HONG KONG, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- February 9, 2012 marks the day where the page of history is turned for the four former British military compounds in Hong Kong. Located at 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine is revitalized and transformed into a new cultural and intellectual hub and houses the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. The compound celebrates its opening on this very day with the presence of the Chief Executive of HKSAR Government, the Honorable Donald TSANG, GBM, KBE as Guest of Honor at the opening ceremony together with officiating guests including: Mr. TUNG Chee Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference & Former Chief Executive; Mr. Ronnie C. CHAN, Co-Chair of Asia Society and Chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center; Ms. Henrietta H. FORE, Co-Chair of Asia Society; Dr. Vishakha N. DESAI, President of Asia Society (New York); Mr. Charles ROCKEFELLER, Trustee of Asia Society; Mr. T. Brian STEVENSON, SBS JP,Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mrs. Edith Ngan CHAN, Executive Director of Asia Society Hong Kong Center. The Center celebrated the milestone of collaborative effort between different sectors in heritage conversation. "Recognizing the cultural value of this adaptive reuse project, the Hong Kong government together with the non-profit sector, local businesses, and committed individuals came together to preserve this heritage site," said Mr. Ronnie C. CHAN who held in high regard the spirit of partnership in seeing the project to fruition. "This center will contribute significantly to Hong Kong as a world city, a business center, and a cultural hub. We are pleased to play our part in enriching Hong Kong's cultural and intellectual scene."
Now and then – from Explosives Magazines to Cultural Hub Abandoned since the 1980s, the 1.4-hectare heritage site embodies three Grade 1 and a Grade 2 heritage buildings developed between the 1860s and 1940s, which were used to store and mix explosives. Housing the new Asia Society Hong Kong Center, the revitalized establishment is now open to public for the first time in history, and will carry the mission of Asia Society – to impact the local community through insightful programs across disciplines that celebrates cultural and policy diversity between the East and the West. Generously funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the heritage site is revitalized and injected with a new life as a venue.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Stevenson said the Jockey Club recognised the importance of preserving what were among the last vestiges of the British military presence in Hong Kong – buildings of significant historical and architectural merit, some dating from the mid-19th century. "We are delighted to be a participant in the project as it complements a number of the Club's community initiatives in heritage conservation, arts and culture and most importantly, creates more educational opportunities for the younger generations to learn from the past," he noted. "The Jockey Club is particularly proud to have its name attached to this great new facility. What's equally important is that this project is not just one of heritage preservation but also coupled with revitalization; the adaptive reuse of these heritage buildings into what has now become a totally revitalised and functioning set of buildings to serve the community as a centre for arts, culture and contemporary affairs."
The society is also grateful of the generous support from organizations and individuals including Maurice R. Greenberg, The Starr Foundation, Robert & Chantal Miller, The Joseph Lau Luen Hung Charitable Trust, Noble Group Limited, Alex & Sacha Yasumoto as well as Merle and Miriam Hinrichs.
Inaugural exhibition - Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art Program line-up beginning in the month of February is in line with the theme of TRANSFORMATION: In conjunction with the Asia Society Museum, New York, the inspiring inaugural exhibition Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art uncovers the sublimely beautiful and spiritual world of Buddhist art. Organized by a dedicated team of museum professionals led by Curator, Dr. Melissa CHIU, the exhibition draws from Asia's unique heritage and makes it relevant to our times. Showcasing traditional pieces dating back to the 2nd Century from the world-renowned Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art together with contemporary works by leading Asian and Asian American artists namely Montien BOONMA, ZHANG Huan, Michael JOO and Mariko MORI, exhibition will be on display from February 10 to May 20, 2012. The exhibition 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."Other than the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, the exhibition is also generously supported by the Corporate Sponsor, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Asia Society Hong Kong Center: Serving Hong Kong for 20 years The Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK Center) was established in 1990 by a group of Hong Kong community leaders, led by Sir Q.W. Lee, then chairman of Hang Seng Bank. It is the first overseas center of the 11 centers of Asia Society, a non-profit educational organization founded in New York.
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