PHOTO: Lok Cheng Courtesy of M+ Hong Kong
PEOPLE
I want M+ to be a major platform for fostering cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the rest of the world Suhanya Raffel, Director, M+
M
+, described as Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, has opened in Hong
international city. Dedicated to collecting,
Kong. Located in the city
exhibiting, and interpreting visual culture of
state’s West Kowloon Cultural District, the
the 20th and 21st centuries, the collections
museum features six thematic exhibitions
span visual art, design and architecture, and
housing more than 1,000 works.
moving image. I want M+ to be a major platform for fostering cultural exchange between
Designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron,
Hong Kong and the rest of the world.
M+ acts as a cultural centre for 20th and 21stcentury art, design, architecture, and the moving
M+ aims to offer an Asian perspective on contemporary visual culture. Why is this important?
image. As well as the 33 exhibition galleries, the complex houses retail areas, restaurants, cafés, a research centre and multi-purpose
Great museums change global perceptions of
halls. M+ is set to become a centrepiece
cities and nations. A museum such as M+ can
of The West Kowloon Cultural District.
have a transformative effect by expressing the
Director Suhanya Raffel spoke to Attractions Management about M+’s aims.
identity, creativity, and energy of the city.
How would you sum up M+ offers?
emanate from this part of the world, so
M+ is special because it is Asia’s first global
we can take purchase of these important
museum of contemporary visual culture and it
discussions. We want to tell our stories
is located here, in the global city of Hong Kong.
through multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and
At M+, we represent the histories that
Over the past few years, the art market
interregional narratives. When we look at Hong
has exponentially grown in Hong Kong,
Kong – the skyline, the art and design, the
however to transform the city into an
architectural histories of this city, its regional
international cultural hub, it required a
authenticity and international influences
leading institution for visual culture.
reflect a rich and entirely unique history.
M+ offers a brand-new centre for visual
The M+ museum was designed by Herzog & de Meuron
PHOTO: Kevin Mak Courtesy Of HdM
culture and a world-class landmark for a great
How is the museum and its content rooted in its place?
For us, Hong Kong, its history, position and place in the world, is an integral part of many stories that are configured across various disciplines within the exhibitions in M+. One of the opening exhibitions is dedicated to Hong Kong and Beyond, which considers the transformation and unique visual culture of Hong Kong from the 1960s to the present.
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attractionsmanagement.com Vol 26 / ISSUE 4
