Under the patronage of the French Consulate and organised by the Association Culturelle France-Hong Kong, Le French May is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. For the past six years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been the Major Partner of the festival, which this year carries the theme of “Celebrate Art and Life the French Way”. This year, French artist Nicolas Buffe is holding his first exhibition in Hong Kong exclusively sponsored by the Charities Trust, which features the artist’s famous site-specific mural drawings, his large-scale “cut-out” sculptures, and new works inspired by the vibration of our modern city. It’s going to be a fantastic journey you’re not going to want to miss. Mark the date!
“The Dream of Profilo” is French artist Nicolas Buffe’s first exhibition in Hong Kong. Based in Toyko, his work is a navigation inside an anachronistic network of cultural and historical references combining both classical culture and pop culture, especially those from his childhood. A wide range of cultural materials such as Baroque ornaments, Renaissance grotesques, American cartoons, Japanese anime and manga are fused in his works – and they are definitely dazzling for your eyes. From room to room, visitors will feel as if they are in a dream.
A labyrinth is installed as the central part of the exhibition, and an animated demonstration will be projected on the walls. Visitors are invited to delve into the artist’s personal vision of a fantastical world as if through a video game. The exhibition is free of charge, and you’re welcome to attend this inspiring, imaginative and magical multi-art form exhibition with your family and friends.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported Le French May since 2012. This year, it is contributing over HK$9.9 million to support four arts programmes and one educational initiative being staged between May and July. They comprise:
- Festival Opening: The Royal Concert of the Night – "The Birth of the Sun King", performed by the globally-acclaimed Ensemble Correspondances;
- Inventing le Louvre – From Palace to Museum over 800 Years, an exhibition featuring over 120 priceless art works from the world-renowned Musée du Louvre;
- Nicolas Buffe: The Dream of Polifilo, the debut exhibition of innovative French artist Nicolas Buffe;
- Paris Ballet Legends: A Night with the Stars, an iconic ballet performed by stars from the Paris Opera Ballet together with dancers from European ballets and Hong Kong Ballet;
- Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programmes, offering educational tours, workshops, masterclasses and free performances that reach the widest possible audience and contribute to the education of the younger generation. These programmes are expected to benefit over 36,200 participants.
