2009.04.07   Speech by Deputy Director (Culture) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Chung Ling-hoi, at the Signing Ceremony cum Press Conference of the Exhibition “Louis Vuitton – Passion for Creation”

Mr Debains, Mr Mikaeloff, Consul-General Thébault, members of the media and the cultural circle, ladies and gentlemen,

It's my great pleasure to welcome you all and announce the launch of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's major exhibition of the year. Entitled Louis Vuitton: Passion for Creation, a co-organized exhibition with Louis Vuitton and the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Création.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 22 May to 9 August at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. We, together with Louis Vuitton and the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Création, will bring to Hong Kong the finest collections of modern art treasures, this is also the first time they are on show in Asia. This is indeed a very valuable opportunity for people in Hong Kong to view the masterpieces.

This exhibition brings together a number of significant large-scale works by international well-known artists such as Gilbert & George, Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince, as well as the model of the Fondation's new museum designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. The Fondation has also invited seven Hong Kong artists to take part in this exhibition to show a close tie with Hong Kong and make cultural exchange among each other.

This exhibition would not have been possible without the generous loan by Louis Vuitton and the Fondation. It indeed adds colours and diversity to the cultural life of Hong Kong, Asia's World City.

Last but not least, I would like to express our thanks to the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong for their continuous support over the years. It is the partnership among Government, the public and the private sector that has made the presentation of world-class art events possible. This exhibition is an opportunity not to be missed. We welcome you all to view these great works and explore in the endless world of art.

Thank you.