Art, Culture, and More

Gallery Happenings Rossi & Rossi - Elisa Sighicelli & Novalis - Valentina Loffredo

Co-presented with the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong

This autumn in Hong Kong, two of Hong Kong’s leading Italian galleries present solo exhibitions by two Italian contemporary artists, including Elisa Sighicelli at Rossi & Rossi (3 October – 14 November) and Valentina Loffredo at Novalis Contemporary Art Design (7 – 30 November).

The exhibitions are co-presented in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong as part of its annual ITALIA MIA Festival, which celebrates the best Italian cultural events in Hong Kong taking place citywide this fall.

Stefano Fossati, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong commented “Now more than ever, we must give our community a reason to engage and enjoy the culturally enriching experiences that the city offers and we continue to support Italian culture among this multiculturally diverse city.”

Each with their unique approaches, both artists employ the medium of photography in their works.

Elisa Sighicelli at Rossi & Rossi

Exhibition period: 3 October – 14 November Preview: Saturday 3 October from 3pm coinciding with Southside Saturday Rossi & Rossi is delighted to present Stone Talk by celebrated Italian artist Elisa Sighicelli (b. 1968). This is her first solo exhibition in Asia. Stone Talk features a selection of photographs that scrutinize overlooked details of museum interiors and of artworks in a number of institution collections. Her monograph, 9 Years published by Skira is also featured. of seeing. Merging with materials that have different tactile properties and textures, her photographs analyze the ways in which reality reflects itself and often times appears to be made from the very substance it represents. In a world saturated with virtual images, the artist sets out to restore the palpable tangible existence of images in a physical space.

The exhibition is going to be accompanied by a selection of ancient Roman steles and remnants in an attempt to foster a dialogue between antiquity and their reinterpretation through contemporary lenses across time and space.

Rossi & Rossi Yally Industrial Building, Unit 3C 6 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

www.rossirossi.com

Valentina Loffredo at Novalis Contemporary Art Design

Exhibition period: 7 – 30 November Preview: Friday 6 November

Novalis Contemporary Art Design Gallery is pleased to present Nosy, a solo exhibition by Italian Hong Kong based artist Valentina Loffredo. The global issue of privacy in the digital age is the central theme of Nosy, a multi-media project that includes photographs, sculptural objects, installations and a limited edition of unique artist books. Not confined to the space within the gallery walls, the exhibition also extends to other parts of town with the artist’s ad hoc placements of sculptural noses.

The project mimics the conflict between the seductive power of technology, expressed through the playful and attractive appearance of the artworks, and its dark “nosy” side, revealed by the repetitive and uncanny presence of human noses.

Novalis Contemporary Art Design Gallery G/F 5 Sau Wa Fong, Wan Chai, Hong Kong www.novalisartdesign.com

Design Made in Hong Kong 2020-2021

On the initiative of Stefano Fossati, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong, a successful bridge of exchange between Italy and Asia has been activated. The research on the new frontiers of design developed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Design Institute and Baptist University, thanks to the work of an Italian curator specialized in contemporary design, is placed in relation with three of the most interesting Italian designers of the moment (Federica Biasi, Federico Peri and Sara Ricciardi), representatives of a new generation of emerging designers, who will establish an in-depth dialogue with the students of the three Hong Kong universities through a webinar program. The aim of the project is to demonstrate how, from Hong Kong to Milan, a new generation of designers is taking action. Investigating the approach of new generations of designers - emerging Italian designers and Asian students - on the theme of contemporary urgencies: from housing models to aesthetic sense, materials, economy, the natural balance between innovation and tradition. Young people are proving to have an original and powerful voice in the world of design, with an active and responsible approach capable of restoring optimism on the international scene. A single theme - taking action - which will be adressed in different collaborations and moments: the three universities will collaborate with as many local companies to develop prototypes that will be presented in two collective exhibitions in Hong Kong in February and at the next Milan Design Week, to be held in April 2021. The project is created by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong in collaboration with NMG - 5VIE association, presented during Milan Design Week 2021 in the 5VIE district, curated by Annalisa Rosso, and coordinated by Mr. Lawrence studio and 5VIE. The exhibition locations in Milan will be

SIAM 1838 (in the 5VIE district) and Postdesign Gallery. Among the areas that will be developed: the future of interior design, digital furniture, the next of beauty. The project was conceptualized and implemented by the Italian curator Santina Bonini, resident in Hong Kong, and will be developed with the support of an international scientific committee (also in this case aimed at developing the dialogue between Italy and Asia), which will involve companies, design professionals, academics and designers.

Follow us on your favourite social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see some of our live events that you might have missed.

facebook.com/iichongkong | instagram.com/italianculturalinstitute.hk twitter.com/IICHongKong | youtube.com/iichongkong

To learn more about upcoming Italian events you may contact:

Italian Cultural Institute, c/o Consulate General of Italy Hong Kong Suite 3201, 32/F Central Plaza 18, Harbour Road, Wanchai - Hong Kong www.iichongkong.esteri.it | iichongkong@esteri.it