The Hong Kong Museum Of Art are currently showing an exhibition by the Foundation Louis Vuitton Pour La Creation. At first I thought it would be a more commercially fronted exhibition charting a luxury brands evolution, but after seeing for my own eyes, this really is a world class exhibition of contemporary art.

Takashi Murakami - Panda

The non-commercial part of the exhibition starts by bringing together works from many famous artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Paul Chan, Jeff Coons and Pierre Huyghe to name but a few. Each artist has their own room so works are not invaded by other pieces. Some just have one work such as Jeff Coon’s monkey paintings. We also see Richard Prince’s Marlboro Cowboys and Bertrand Lavier’s Neon Light’s in true contemporary style. The works we get to see reflect an energetic urban culture, leading to fictional landscapes located somewhere between dreams and adventure.

The more commercial part of the exhibition is in the most ostentatious room of all and filled with Louis Vuitton logo luggage which doesn’t even try to hide the fact it’s really just merchandise in a museum. Never the less, moving into Takashi Murakami’s room makes up for it as we are confronted by a five minute Japanime Alice in Wonderland Louis Vuitton commercial. The room is fluffy pink with Murakami’s various LV monogram works bounded as canvas and hung as art. This may not be everyone’s idea of art, but it really did put a smile on my face, especially an over sized cartoon panda seeming to come out of a vintage LV trunk.

Jeff Koons - Monkey train (birds)

The last of the exhibition takes us in the a room where seven, more unknown, artists from Hong Kong display their works. We have quacking ducks from Adrian Wong, photo’s which impose feelings onto landscapes by Leung Chi-Wo. My favorite is Lee Kit’s living space installation which is so convincing that you are not quite sure if he really is in the shower.

After my tour of the exhibition, despite the commercial aspect, it actually is a world class show which I highly recommend. If you have read our article ‘Chinese Luxury Vertigo’ you may see why perhaps LV bought this exhibit to Hong Kong.

The exhibition has only a few days left as it finishes on the 9th August.

For more information go to Leisure and Cultural Services Department website.