Over 200 boating enthusiasts attended a brokerage boat show held by Asia Yachting at Repulse Bay recently.
The event attracted nine boats ranging in size from 21-foot professional Nautique wakeboard boats to luxury Italian yachts over 100 foot. The recently launched Monte Carlo Yachts (MCY) 80 was also at the event.
Before this event, Asia Yachting held two brokerage boat shows in Hong Kong in July and November 2016.
A painting by renowned modern artist CY Twombly will finally see the light of day, after 25 years hidden away in a private collection. The distinctive graffiti-like work entitled Leda and the Swan – painted in 1962 – along with a sister painting will be offered at auction for the first time. The works will make up the star lot at an auction on 17 May, at Christie’s post-war and contemporary evening sale. Leda and the Swan, which has only had two owners in its history, has a pre-auction estimate range between US$35 million and US$55 million.
“Impregnated with paint passionately and poetically applied with the hand, brush and stick, Leda and the Swan is one of the most vital canvases created during this transformative period in the artist’s career,” said Koji Inoue, international director of the auction house’s contemporary department. “Given its tremendous importance within the context of both Twombly’s oeuvre and the canon of post-war art, we are honoured to offer this work to the market after nearly 30 clandestine years.”
If the estimates are anything to go by, the work could conceivably break the record for a Twombly work at auction. The current record price for a work by the American painter stands at US$70.5 million, set when Untitled (New York City), was sold in November 2015. The 1968 painting is one of Twombly’s famous ‘blackboard’ works.
Montblanc, a pioneer in the fountain pen industry, has joined hands with UNICEF to support education programmes around the world.
While education is considered a fundamental right in most countries, studies show that, in practice, 1 in 11 children of school-going age is deprived of education due to poverty, taboos and lack of awareness.
Montblanc has launched the Montblanc for UNICEF collection to help children fulfill their right to education, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic background.
For every item in the collection sold until 31 March 2018, Montblanc will donate 3 percent of the proceeds to UNICEF, with a minimum guaranteed amount of US$1.5 million (HK$11.6 million).
The literacy projects include teacher training programmes, infrastructure building and many more similar projects in China, Djibouti and Brazil.
To help spread awareness about the project, Montblanc is organising an exhibition, workshop and talks at the 1881 Heritage Boutique on 8, 10 and 11 June.
The event, Gift of Writing, provides a platform for children to explore their creativity and learn the art of origami, while parents can attend talks on how to improve their parenting skills.
The public session of the exhibition and workshops will take place on 10 and 11 June from 11:00 am to 6:00pm. The talks on parenting skills will be held on 8 June from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
You can register for the workshops here.
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Since its inception in 1993, Le French May has become one of the largest cultural and art events in Asia. With more than 120 programmes and exhibitions offered over the course of two months, the festival is attended by more than 1 million people each year.
This year, there’s much to look forward to: films, food, art, music, dance, theatre and more.
Here are just a few highlights.
Paris Ballet Legends – A Night with the Stars
Dancers from some of the world’s leading companies will star in the ballet event of the year. The art of ballet was born in Paris, and dancers will perform some iconic pieces, including Giselle, Black Swan, Carmen Toujours!, as well as the contemporary Non je ne regrette rien and néo-ballet La dame aux Camelias.
When: 11-12 May, 7:45pm
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Inventing Le Louvre – From Palace to Museum over 800 Years
The Louvre Museum has been brought to Hong Kong – at least in parts. The exhibition includes 126 pieces on loan from the Louvre, which come from all departments of the world-famous museum and represent different time periods. Highlights include a statue of Jean de la Fontaine, Greek and Roman antiquities, and the painting Saint Sebastian Bound for Martyrdom. It is the first time some of the pieces have been shown outside of France.
When: Runs until 24 July
Where: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin
Mekong – New Mythologies
This contemporary art exhibit brings together 16 internationally-renowned artists from Southeast Asia. The exhibit explores the legends and ancient folklore passed down by the Mekong’s inhabitants, as well as the social, ecological and political issues that affect the region.
When: Runs until 21 May, 12pm to 8pm
Where: Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
French Belle Epoque
This private collection of 19th century decorative art includes a diverse range of pieces created during France’s ‘Beautiful Age.’ It includes monumental sculptures, ornate furniture and unique artworks.
When: 13 May to 21 May
Where: Liang Yi Museum, 181-199 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Paris Dark Light
Airports are not always the most inspiring of places, but French photographer Michel Setboun has shown the Paris Aéroport in a new light. The photography exhibit includes 32 photos of Paris and eight photos of the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, all of which showcase the alluring effect that light and shadow can have when they are used to capture a moment in a poetic way.
When: Runs until 24 May
Where: Atrium 1, Harbour City Hong Kong, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Le French GourMay
Held at several eateries inside Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong, this event promises an authentic taste of French cuisine. Enjoy a seafood dinner buffet with Champagne-Ardenne specialties at Café Renaissance; a four-course dinner with champagne at Mirage Bar & Restaurant; or a seven-course Cantonese menu paired with a bottle of N.V. Drappier Blanc de Blancs Signature Brut champagne at Dynasty.
When: Until 31 May (the Dynasty champagne pairing runs until 30 June)
Where: Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong
For more info on Le French May, click here.
Text: Emily Petsko
Cinemas are already gearing up for summer blockbuster season with the release of several action-packed flicks in May. Whether it’s an adventure film that takes you on a quest through the Middle Ages or a sci-fi thriller starring blood-thirsty aliens, these films are sure to get your heart pumping.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The galaxy’s most lovable and dysfunctional saviours are back again in a sequel to the hugely popular 2014 film of the same name, which was based on a Marvel comic. Chris Pratt reprises his role as Peter Quill and grapples with his newfound identity after meeting his father. Meanwhile, the crew must fend off some new enemies, and old foes become unlikely allies. Sequels often get a bad rap, but this one is almost as good – and nearly as funny – as the first. Plus, the adorable Baby Groot (who debuted at the end of the first film) is back again in a lead role.
In theatres now
Alien: Covenant
Five years have passed since the release of Prometheus, and fans of Ridley Scott’s extraterrestrial saga now have something new to look forward to. Alien: Covenant follows the crew of a spaceship called Covenant as they travel across the galaxy to an uninhabited planet–or so they thought. They must escape a band of man-eating aliens (called Xenomorphs) in what promises to be a truly terrifying two hours.
In theatres 11 May
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Director Guy Ritchie (perhaps best known for the new Sherlock Holmes films) is one of the masterminds behind this epic adventure. The legend of Excalibur is retold in a fresh and compelling way. After young Arthur’s father is murdered and his uncle seizes the crown, the boy is forced onto the streets without ever learning his true identity. However, that all changes one day when he frees a magical sword from stone and learns his destiny. He must now unite an army to defeat the dictator who killed his parents.
In theatres 11 May
Love off the Cuff
If you’re not a fan of CGI explosions or epic fight scenes, this rom-com is perfect for your next date night or outing with friends. It’s the third instalment in the Love in a Puff series starring Shawn Yue (as Jimmy) and Miriam Yeung (as Cherie). The couple had hoped for a happily-ever-after ending, but they’re now facing some new challenges. An old friend of Jimmy’s shows up with an unusual request – to be artificially inseminated and bear Jimmy’s child – and hilarity ensues. Meanwhile, Cherie has some family issues of her own.
In theatres now
Text: Emily Petsko
Chaumet is currently hosting an exhibition at the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, Beijing. Imperial Splendours is a stroll down the maison’s rich history that is inherently intertwined with French royalty dating back to the reign of Napoleon.
Under the guidance of Henri Loyrette, the former director of the Louvre Museum, the exhibition showcases the high jewellery house’s body of work with over 300 historic jewels, objets d’art, paintings, drawings and more.
Some of the items in the exhibition date back to the 18th century and a select few have left France or are on view to the public for the first time.
The exhibition presents iconic pieces like the bracelets of the Empress Marie-Louise, the pearl necklace of the Prince of Bavaria and the coronation sword of Napoleon I.
Chaumet also pays tribute to its master jewellers through the ages.
Prestigious collections and prominent museums have come together to support the event, namely the Musee du Louvre, the Chateau de Fontainebleau and the Victoria and Albert Museum of London
The exhibition also displays a selection of work belonging to the Palace Museum.
The exhibition is taking place at the Wu Men Room, Meridian Gate, Forbidden City, from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, until 2 July.
Tickets can be bought at the venue.
Dalloyau, a French fine dining restaurant with a royal legacy dating back to 1682, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of fashion brand Blumarine with the Dalloyau x Blumarine 40th Anniversary Afternoon Tea.
The elegant tea set showcases Dalloyau’s regal tradition as the only maison de gastronomie to serve the royal court of the Palace of Versailles since 1682.
Executive Chef Nicolas Boutin and pastry chef Ken Thomas have turned design elements from Blumarine’s Spring/Summer Collection – roses, lace, embroidery – into food that both looks and tastes exquisite. The tea set features light, vibrant flavours and fresh aromas that are perfect for spring.
The tea set includes seasonal fruit tart, a pinky shooter, pistachio and raspberry pastry choux, duck foie gras cranberries and gingerbread, black truffle lobster petit sandwich and more
The afternoon tea is available exclusively at Dalloyau and Cafe Epure until 11 June.
Date: Until 11 June
Time: 3:00pm to 6:00pm daily
Locations: Dalloyau: Shop 3220, Level 3, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
Cafe Epure: Shop 403, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
Gianvito Rossi celebrated the brand’s 10-year anniversary recently at its boutique at No. 7 On Lan Street, followed by a cocktail party at Arcane restaurant.
The event showcased Gianvito Rossi’s collection of sky-high stiletto sandals, over-the-knee boots and toe pumps.
The cocktail party at Arcane was attended by a number of fashionistas who enjoyed Italian canapes by award winning two-Michelin-starred chef Shane Osborn.
Shanghai Tang collaborated with renowned artist Kirk Cheng to create a reimagining of the Suzhou gardens for its Spring/Summer collection.
Cheng presented his elegant interpretation of the famed landscape gardens through a sophisticated floral installation.
The Shanghai Tang SS17 collection conveys an enchanting vision through the incorporation of fresh blooms, delicate hues and fluid shapes.
The Canadian-Chinese artist has created fashion and floral designs for hotels, brands and private clients in the past.
International high fashion brand Moiselle recently hosted its Spring/Summer fashion show at the Asia Society.
The collection is inspired by Orbo Novo, a ballet by Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet from New York.
Moiselle has translated the fluidity and power of dance to design an uplifting, light and elegant wardrobe.
The collection features harmonious shades of sweet pink, fairytale blue, pale yellow, light orange and baby purple.
The fashion show was attended by a number of celebrities and glitterati.
