RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS
School introduced the artistic styles of the Bologna School in the Baroque movement of the 17th century. Exquisite exhibits of Japanese Art of the 19th Century Treasures from the Tokyo National Museum illustrated the aesthetic taste of the Japanese living in the Edo and Meiji periods. Showing the response of Chinese artists towards cultural conflicts in a transforming world, Inside Out: New Chinese Art provoked dialogues within the community. In the field of antiquities, exhibits of Burnished Beauties The Art of Stone in Early Southeast Asia displayed superb craftsmanship and sophisticated aesthetics.
In May, the private sector auction of three cultural relics from the Yuanming Yuan, or Summer Palace, aroused public concern. After the auction, the Museum of Art organised a short display of the three relics so that residents could view them before they were returned to Beijing. The nine-day exhibition drew an attendance of 35 000. In local art, the retrospective exhibition Contemporary Hong Kong Art 2000 reviewed Hong Kong art development at the turn of the century. Other related exhibitions included Fruitful Imagination - Cheng Kar-chun and The Way of Pottery Ho Ping-chung of the Hong Kong Artists Series III, a series of solo exhibitions on local art, and the Elegant Fragrance - Diploma in Chinese Calligraphy Graduation.
The displays of the museum collections, together with the special exhibitions. and education activities, attracted 432 860 visitors. To enhance students' and citizens' interest in art appreciation, the museum introduced a scheme in which over 100 volunteers, mostly art teachers, were trained to provide free guided tours for school and community groups. During the year, there were 30 000 visitors in 1 200 groups.
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
The collection of the Museum of Tea Ware comprises various kinds of tea ware and related vessels used in preparation of tea from the collection of the late Dr K. S. Lo and rare Chinese ceramics and seals donated by the K.S. Lo Foundation. The special exhibition Glazed Teaware: the K.S. Lo Collection, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware demonstrated the achievements of ancient potters in glazed ware production.
Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre
The centre provides well-equipped studios to support local artists in creating sculptures, prints and ceramics. In addition, the exhibition gallery, art studios, lecture theatre and multi-purpose rooms are available for hire by the public at subsidised rates. Programmes extending art among the community were organised in association. with the Fringe Club's CityFestival, and there were also a ceramics competition and a summer art camp.
Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History has been housed in its new premises in Chatham Road South since July 1998. The museum will begin full service when a permanent exhibition on the history of Hong Kong opens in mid-2001.
Three exhibitions were staged. To commemorate the centenary of the passing of Johann Strauss, the great Viennese musician, an exhibition entitled Johann Strauss: Thunder and Lightning was presented from December 18, 1999 to February 13, and attracted 24 154 visitors. Foyer concerts and thematic lectures were held on Saturday
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