Chanel Mobile Art

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Originally uploaded by fernandogros.

Today was the opening of the Chanel Mobile Art exhibition here in Hong Kong (atop the old Star Ferry Carpark). It’s a tour of contemporary art, exploring the themes of gaze, identity, skin and the evocative French phrase “empty your bag.” It’s an at times depressing, but in the end hopeful exhibition.

One key feature is that, although tickets are free (well, 10HKD booking fee) entrance numbers are controlled. Once you are in, viewers are given mp3 player with a narrated “soundtrack.” This way the exhibition “speaks” to you. If nothing else it helps to slow people down and in some ways control the flow through the building. Having sat back and watched gallery crowds a number of times it can be sad to watch how little attention patrons sometimes pay to the works.

All that said, the star of this show is not really the art, but the building itself. This is an amazing “container” designed by Zaha Hadid. This isn’t just a bold shape, but a true example of space facilitating experience.

I’ll be visiting again on Monday and then I’ll post a little more about the work being exhibited.

[tags] Chanel Mobile Art, Zaha Hadid [/tags]