Many traditional Chinese arts are of interest and relevance to the modern world. To prevent them from disappearing, the Foundation supports dedicated organisations that have deep knowledge of a traditional art form and the passion to bring it to life.
We all live in the Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site of the “Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" in 1987, and is listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. The Forbidden City is valuable not only for research on the development of Chinese architecture, it also embraces many facets of Chinese history and culture within its buildings. We All Live in the Forbidden City uses a fun approach to engage young people between the ages of 5 and 18 and nurture their interest in the treasures of this 600-year-old home of China's emperors. Launching in autumn 2010, this project comprises a series of publication and a four-week exhibition at the ArtisTree in Taikoo Place opening on September 16. Based on three themes, the Exhibition explores the Forbidden City’s “Relationship with Nature”, its “Architectural Structures” and the “Life in the Imperial Palace”. Audiences will experience stunning animations, installations and interactive games that illuminate the architectural wonder of the world’s largest complex of wooden palaces, see how the beauty of nature has existed exquisitely within the imperial home, and “meet” members of the royal family and get to know more about their lives within the Forbidden City. We all live in the Forbidden City is co-presented by the Foundation and Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, the creative team that has published a series of outstanding books to introduce the historic treasures of Chinese culture to contemporary audiences. Please click here to learn more about the books. Please click here to learn more about the exhibition.
The Emperor’s Secret GardenIn spring 2010, the Foundation partnered with The Prince’s Charities Foundation (China) to premiere the film, The Emperor’s Secret Garden, which tells the story of Juanqinzhai, a unique building inside the Palace Museum in Beijing with some of the finest architectural interiors and decor of the Qianlong reign (1736 to 1796). For many years, the Palace Museum had focused its preservation projects on the great official halls that run along the central axis of the Forbidden City. The doors of Juanqinzhai along with the other buildings in the Qianlong Garden had remained closed since Pu Yi, the last emperor, left the Forbidden City in 1924. It was at the turn of the 21st Century that interest in the less public areas of the Forbidden City grew; both domestically and internationally, there was an enthusiasm to restore the Garden to its former appearance. In 2001, the Palace Museum and the World Monuments Fund established a historic partnership dedicated to conserving the Qianlong Garden. Juanqinzhai was chosen to be the first building to undergo conservation. This was the first large-scale interior conservation project since the founding of the Palace Museum in 1925 and its first international collaboration. Following the conservation work over several years in Beijing and in remote villages where the work has taken place, the objectives of The Emperor’s Secret Garden is firstly to deepen knowledge and understanding of Chinese history and culture through the story of one of China’s greatest emperors, his times and his outstanding artistic achievements; and secondly to show in detail the nature of this heritage, to examine its techniques and to describe how the painstaking work of the restoration process is bringing about the re-discovery and revitalisation of traditional craft skills almost lost in the modern rush towards factory production.
Chinese Painting Conservation ProgramThe Foundation supports the Chinese Painting Conservation Program at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in the US by sponsoring its annual internship program and facilitating networking and collaborations among Chinese painting conservators worldwide. Initiated in 2000, the major objectives of the Chinese Painting Conservation Program are to train conservators and museum professionals in the care and conservation of Chinese paintings; build working relationships and collaborative research with conservation professionals at museums throughout Mainland China, and with other institutions that care for Chinese paintings; and to have the Freer and Sackler exemplify the highest standards of care and conservation for its outstanding collection of Chinese paintings. Kunqu Taiwan TourFrom 2006 to 2008, the Foundation has supported more than 40 performances of Kunqu at universities in mainland China and Hong Kong. Continuing our efforts to foster understanding and appreciation of Kunqu by younger generations, the Foundation has sponsored the Kunqu Taiwan Tour in 2009. In May, under the direction of Professor Pai Hsien-yung, the renowned Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu toured three cities in Taiwan. They performed at National Chengchi University and the National Theatre in Taipei; Hsinchu County Culture Center in Hsinchu; and National Cheng Kung University in Tainan. Renowned Kunqu actors and actresses also gave a series of 20 talks for students and the public.
Exquisite Beauty: The World of KunquThe Foundation collaborates with The University of Hong Kong for the first time to present Exquisite Beauty: The World of Kunqu, a lecture and performance series that aims to foster the understanding and appreciation of Kunqu by the young generation. Under the direction of Professor Pai Hsien-yung, the renowned Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu and the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe will perform 11 repertoires in Hong Kong. All lectures and performances are admission free. Exquisite Beauty: The World of Kunqu is an unprecedented large-scale Kunqu promotion programme in Hong Kong. Six demonstration talks on different themes will be conducted at respective tertiary institutions from the 4th to 15th November 2008, while six performances will be staged at the Jockey Club Auditorium of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University from the 18th to 23rd November 2008 to showcase a variety of Kunqu repertoires including The Jade Hairpin, Defeat on the Huarong Pass, The Western Chamber, Farewell to the Mother: from The Iron Crown, At the Lenke Mountain, The Palace of Eternal Life, Winning the Beauty Queen, The Ghost King Marries Off His Sister, Gazing toward the Homeland, Escape of the Little Monk and Conquest of Demons. Mobilising over a hundred members from the troupes, including eminent artists and reputable masters, this programme leads young people and the public into the world of Kunqu.
Professor Pai’s commitment to introduce the art of Kunqu to young people coincides with our missions, which is to revitalise traditional Chinese arts and promote art education. Since 2006, the Foundation has sponsored the China-wide performance and lecture tours of the Peony Pavilion, one of the greatest classics of Kun Opera, modernized and adapted by Professor Pai. The programme in Hong Kong is a continuation of the Foundation’s support for the revitalisation of Kunqu. Following the success of The Peony Pavilion in arousing enthusiasm for Kunqu from the young generation in China and abroad, it is time to proceed to broaden the audience’s world of Kunqu. We support Professor Pai’s idea of bringing Kunqu to universities and schools, and proactively reaching out to the public. The passing on and development of Kunqu relies on the size and sophistication of its audience. With the foundation laid by The Peony Pavilion, we hope that through the eleven repertoires in Exquisite Beauty: The World of Kunqu, the audience will gain a deeper level of appreciation of the beauty of Kunqu
For more about Exquisite Beauty: The World of Kunqu, please refer to poster or visit www.hku.hk/kunqu Peony Pavilion Lecture and performance Series in Mainland ChinaKun Opera was classified by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Foundation sponsors performance and lecture tours of the Peony Pavilion, one of the greatest classics of Kun Opera, modernized and adapted by the renowned writer, Pai Hsien-yung.Performances and lectures have been given at universities throughout China, and have generated significant public, academic and media interest.
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We all live in the Forbidden City |
