Continuing to support artistic initiatives, Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong, presents its ever-evolving Art-in-Residence series, this time featuring a collection of market works by renowned photographer, Peter Steinhauer, through his Asian travels. Asian Markets, a series of large format photographs on display at the Langham Place Hotel and Mall link bridge on level L, will be open for viewing from 8th May until the 26th, in the lead up to and through the city’s art season including the prestigious fair Art Basel Hong Kong 2014, and the Asia Contemporary Art Show Hong Kong 2014.
Shown with sound clips, Asian Markets may be both viewed and listened to via a mobile sound app downloaded onto the viewer’s own phone, for a full surround sound, Asian market experience. Over the last one year, Steinhauer has travelled through Asia’s central markets in an attempt to capture their continuously throbbing heart beats and effervescent atmospheres. In addition to the visual aspects of these stunning photographs, Steinhauer has recorded the markets’ sounds by incorporating a mobile app to the overall experience. The app features richly recorded, stereo sounds of the photographed activity within the markets. By downloading the app and listening to the sounds while viewing the photograph, the viewer is able to transport themselves right into the core of the markets, feeling and sensing their harmony, activity and excitement.
“We enjoy embracing fresh, innovative ideas to inspire our guests and art makes us able to do just that,” says Shaun Campbell, the hotel’s general manager. “In this exhibition, guests will experience a cacophony of sound, visual and people, revealing the true essence of an Asian Market. Peter Steinhauer has taken a very global trade and brought it to life through his photographs and by showcasing his work in our neighbourhood, much of which is made up of the city’s popular markets, we felt it very fitting to showcase his series here in Mongkok, and even more so when the art community is at its peak this time of year”.
While Asian Markets generally serve similar purposes, that is, to be a gathering place for trade, they are unique in the way that each are woven deep into the fabric of the cultures where they exist. For decades, or even centuries, they have been a focal point for villagers and city dwellers to purchase food and to trade, but almost equally as important, they represent a place to socialise. Bustling and full of energy with people darting in and out, talking, laughing and traders calling out prices back and forth, one also sees crates revealing fresh produce and ice tables proudly displaying the morning’s freshest seafood catch, live fish and meat, alongside the ever-present sound of knives hitting chopping blocks and the clanking of metal scales. The sounds of a market may be overwhelming to some but are undoubtedly part of the total experience. According to Steinhauer, with increasing development in Asia, these markets are fast disappearing; the land they sit on is often valuable and markets are being torn down to make way for large apartment complexes or commercial buildings that will yield far more revenue for the city. In this ambitious project, Steinhauer presents the essence and energy of these Asian Markets, in his eyes, the last bastions of Asian cultural centres.
Guests wishing to explore Mongkok’s markets may do so at the hotel’s fabulous neighbourhood Mongkok Wet Market – home to live fish, open-air butchers and mountains of fresh fruit, truly reflecting the authenticity of an Asian market.
Langham Place Hotel’s Art-in-Residence Showcase: Asian Market Series by Peter Steinhauer
When: 8 May – 26 May 2014
Time: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Where: Link Bridge, Level L, Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong
Price: Complimentary, all welcome
Asian Markets by Peter Steinhauer is curated by Angela Li, art consultant for Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong.
Langham Place Hotel
Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong is home to over 1,500 pieces of contemporary Chinese art. This is believed to be one of the world’s largest collections. The collection was created by Langham Place’s art consultant Angela Li and includes pieces by numerous legendary Chinese artists including Wang Guangyi, Yue Minjun and Jiang Shuo. The hotel showcases its top 21 pieces through complimentary iPod art tours that can be taken anytime between 6:00am – 11:00pm. The hotel also features several Art-in-Residence exhibitions spotlighting leading local and international artists throughout the year.
More information on Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong is available at: http://hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com
For stays at Langham Place Hotel during the city’s art fair, Art Basel Hong Kong 2014, and the hotel’s latest Art-in-Residence showcase, Asian Markets, the Linger at Langham package offers guests staying for a minimum of two nights, a special discount of up to 25% off, with an extra 5% off for elevating their stay to a Club Room or Suite. Booking directly via hotel’s website will provide extra privileges including HK$100 food & beverage credit per room per stay, and airline miles.
Bookings may be on (852) 3552 3552 or via email at [email protected]. The offer is subject to terms and conditions, availability and service charge.