Jetsettersblog

Hong Kong Collection of Ming Loyalist Art On View at Metropolitan Museum
This Fall

Exhibition Dates: September 7, 2011 – January 2, 2012
Exhibition Location: Galleries for Chinese Painting and Calligraphy
Press Preview: Tuesday, September 6, 10 a.m.- noon

The collapse of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and subsequent conquest of China by semi-nomadic Manchu tribesmen from northeast of the Great Wall engendered some of the most traumatic events in Chinese history. This wrenching era also spurred an enormous outpouring of creative energy as many former Ming subjects turned to the arts to express their loyalty to the noble but doomed cause of Ming restoration and to assert their defiance and moral virtue. Drawn from one of the finest and most comprehensive private assemblages of the art of the Ming-Qing transition, The Art of Dissent in 17th-Century China: Masterpieces of Ming Loyalist Art from the Chih Lo Lou Collection will showcase more than 60 landscape paintings andcalligraphies that highlight the intensely personal styles created by the leading artists of that time. Particularly noteworthy are the clusters of exceptional works by Huang Daozhou, Hongren, Bada Shanren (Zhu Da), and Shitao. The exhibition, recently on view at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, will open at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 7.

The exhibition was organized by the Hong Kong Museum of Art of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of HKSAR Government and the Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd.

The Manchu conquest followed several decades of political weakness at the Ming court that had left large portions of the country in chaos. When the capital in Beijing fell to a Chinese bandit army in 1644, Manchu forces poised along the Great Wall routed the rebels but then continued their march southward. After crushing Ming resistance in the city of Yangzhou, which was burned for 10 days as an example, the southern capital of Nanjing surrendered, but it took another 40 years to suppress various Ming claimants to the throne and to quell armed rebellions in the south.

During this time, many former Ming subjects maintained their loyalty to the fallen regime by refusing service under the Manchu Qing (“pure”) dynasty (1644-1911). To endure the often harsh conditions of alien rule, these so-called “leftover subjects” took psychological as well as physical refuge in nature, and their representations of landscape often project their emotional responses to this radically changed world order. In transforming painting and calligraphy into vehicles for self-expression, they demonstrated a remarkable independence from traditional styles and techniques. For this reason, they have been celebrated as visionary individualists, whose styles have remained influential to the present day.

In order to provide an appropriate aesthetic and intellectual context for the material, the exhibition will be organized into five thematic or regional groupings:

Ming Martyrs
After taking Beijing, the capital of the Ming state, in 1644, the Manchus extended their rule through a succession of southward military campaigns against Ming loyalist resistance, which officially ended in 1661. During the intervening years, a number of Ming officials and scholars sacrificed themselves for the revivalist cause. The first gallery in this exhibition will highlight some of these martyrs, notably Ni Yuanlu (1593-1644) and Huang Daozhou (1585-1646), whose highly acclaimed paintings and calligraphies reveal their noble characters through both their choice of subject matter and expressively daring styles.

The Yellow Mountain and Nanjing Regional Schools
The next two galleries will focus on two of the most important centers of loyalist artistic activity: Nanjing and the rugged wilderness environs of Yellow Mountain (Huang Shan). The two served as complementary poles in the long-established urban-rural continuum of Chinese life, as city dwellers and rural residents alike found in landscape depictions a quintessential reflection of enduring cultural and moral values. Among the works on view are masterpieces by Zhang Feng (act. ca. 1628-1668), Kuncan (1612-1673), and Gong Xian (1619-1689), three of the leading loyalist artists active in Nanjing, as well as two iconic images by Hongren (1616-1663), the patriarch of the Yellow Mountain School.

Guangdong Artists
A major focus of the collection is loyalist artists from the Guangdong region in southwestern China. On view will be works by Kuang Lu (1604-1650), Zhang Mu (1607-1687), and other Guangdong artists who were either martyrs during the dynastic transition or active participants in the ensuing resistance movement.

Monk Painters
Two of the greatest artists of the early Qing period, Bada Shanren (or Zhu Da, 1626-1705) and Shitao (1642-1707)—both descendants of the Ming imperial house who became Buddhist monks to escape persecution—will be the focus of a large gallery devoted to works by monk artists. Bada cultivated a deeply personal style in both landscape and flower-and-bird painting with abbreviated enigmatic imagery that suggests a deeply troubled mental state. Shitao, a sophisticated theorist as well as a versatile artist, relied upon direct observation of nature as well as his great technical facility with brush and ink to create the most original landscape style of the 17th century.

Jiangsu and Zhejiang Artists
The final galleries of the exhibition will present major works by masters working in
the traditional artistic centers of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Among the Suzhou painters, Huang Xiangjian (1609-1673) will be represented by a remarkable album that chronicles his perilous 1,400-mile journey from Suzhou to Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces in search of his parents. Among the paintings by Zhejiang artists working near the old Song capital of Hangzhou, a mammoth 12-panel set of landscapes of the four seasons by the professional master Lan Ying is a tour de force of painterly craft.

The works featured in the exhibition were collected in the 1950s and 1960s by the late Hong Kong collector Ho Iu-kwong (He Yaoguang, 1907-2006), who named his studio the Chih Lo Lou or “Hall of Supreme Bliss.” The collection is now held in a non-profit public entity administered by Mr. Ho’s descendents.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a variety of education programs will be offered, including gallery talks and a Sunday at the Met lecture program (September 18), during which noted historians will discuss art, culture, and dissent in Chinese history.

In New York, The Art of Dissent in 17th-Century China: Masterpieces of Ming Loyalist Art from the Chih Lo Lou Collection is curated by Maxwell K. Hearn, Douglas Dillon Curator in Charge; with Shi-yee Liu, Research Associate, both of the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Asian Art. Exhibition design is by Michael Langley, Exhibition Design Manager; graphics are by Kamomi Solidum, Associate Graphic Designer; and lighting is by Clint Ross Coller and Richard Lichte, Lighting Design Managers, all of the Museum’s Design Department.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue.

It will be featured on the Museum’s website at www.metmuseum.org

Visiteurope.com will launch its latest social media campaign and contest entitled, “Enjoy a Taste of Europe.” Hosted on visiteurope.com’s official Facebook page beginning Sep. 6, the contest invites fans to share their favorite foodie photo and story that is reminiscent of Europe.

“Incredible culinary experiences have almost always been synonymous with travel to Europe,” said Jan Rudomina, chairman of the European Travel Commission. “Our goal with this contest is to encourage our fans to share their experiences and visions of Europe through food, photos and stories in an effort to inspire travelers to consider Europe as their next travel destination.”

Starting Sept. 6, fans of the visiteurope.com Facebook page can upload their favorite foodie photo and story that best describes “A Taste of Europe” (i.e., a favorite European dish, a memorable culinary experience from a recent European vacation, etc.) for a chance to win a dream European vacation for two. Voting will begin on Oct. 1 to Oct. 14 to determine the top 10 finalists and the grand prize winner will be selected by a panel of judges at visiteurope.com and announced via Facebook on Oct. 24.

“Enjoy a Taste of Europe” is the second of three social media contests slated to take place on the European Travel Commission’s social networks over the course of the year as part of a new creative campaign to promote Europe as a tourism destination to the U.S. consumer. For more information, follow ETC on Twitter @visiteurope or visit www.visiteurope.com

Renaissance Chicago Downtown hotel is offering the “Chicago Escape!” shopping package, which includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe guest room, a breakfast buffet for two at Great Street Restaurant and a $50 gift card for the historic flagship Macy’s department store on State Street, a block from the hotel. Package rates start at $209 and are valid through Dec. 31. For more information, visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chisr-renaissance-chicago-hotel

Alaska Airlines has new features for its iPhone and iPod Touch apps. New features include access to a mobile boarding pass, check in for flights, the ability to track flight status and boarding information, the ability to create text or email flight alerts, the capability to select and change seats, the option of creating a parking reminder and adding notes for hotel and car reservations. You can also access “My Trips” to view multiple flight itineraries and track Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account information. For more information, visit www.alaskaair.com/mobile

Compagnie du Ponant is offering savings of up to 30 percent on its 13-day Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh City cruise. The itinerary has three departures – Dec. 4, 2011, Feb. 15 and April 2, 2012 — aboard the 226-passenger Le Diamant. Highlights include traditional temples and pagodas in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hue in Chang May, the Duong Long towers of Quy Nhon and a cruise down the Saigon River.

Discounted fares range from $2,495 to $6,709 per person double. In addition, a $400 shipboard credit per stateroom, based on double occupancy, is being offered for new bookings on any cruise if booked by Sept. 31, 2011. For more information, call 888-400-1082, email usreservations@ponant.com  or visit www.ponant.com

The Rezidor Hotel Group is opening the Radisson Blu Sobieski hotel, its ninth property in Poland and second in Warsaw. The 435-room hotel, now known as Jan III Sobieski Hotel, is scheduled to be re-branded in the third quarter 2011. Radisson Blu is one of Rezidor’s core brands and the largest upper upscale brand in Europe. It features contemporary architecture and design, innovative service concepts, and the service philosophy “Yes I Can!”

Radisson Blu Sobieski was designed and built in 1992 by an Austrian-Polish team, and was named after one of Europe’s greatest monarchs, King Sobieski. He ruled Poland for 22 years during the 1600s. Following his victory over the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vienna, he was hailed as the savior of European Christendom. The hotel has recently been acquired by Wenaasgruppen and will be completely renovated in the coming years.

Upon completion of the renovation in 2015, the Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel in Warsaw will comprise 467 guest rooms with Radisson Blu signature services such as free high speed internet access, and will offer two restaurants, a lounge, a wellness area with Jacuzzis, sauna and gym, one of the largest conference centers in Warsaw (1,400 square meters), and some retail outlets.

The property is located in the southern part of Warsaw’s central business district. Warsaw’s Fryderyk Chopin Airport is seven kilometers away, and the city’s main railway station is one kilometer ways. For more information on Rezidor, visit www.rezidorblu.com

Cathay Pacific beginning March 2 will increase frequencies between Los Angeles and Hong Kong to three nonstop flights daily. The airline will then offer more than 6,300 seats a week between the two cities.

“Thanks to great support from our customers, we’re becoming an even more vital link between the United States and Asia,” said Scott Mowrer, senior vice president, Americas. “We believe it’s the right time to foster more business travel abroad, especially to places like mainland China and Vietnam, where many growth opportunities exist for forward-thinking companies.”

Flights will be flown onboard a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. In Los Angeles, the aircraft is currently configured with six first class suites, 57 business class seats that convert to fully-flat beds and 238 economy class seats with individual personal entertainment systems. Cathay Pacific is in the process of introducing an enhanced business class seat that will bring additional comfort and functionality for passengers. The new business class will be progressively introduced into Los Angeles as more new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft join the fleet and current aircraft are retrofitted. Cathay Pacific currently offers 17 flights per week between Los Angeles and Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.cathaypacific.com

Warwick International Hotel’s Irresistible Suite Dreams package saves guests 30 to 50 percent off the normal price of a suite and includes perks such as discounts on dining and complimentary champagne and chocolates. Further, licensed travel agents could receive up to 15 percent commission on U.S.-based Warwick hotel booking, and up to 13 percent for any European-based Warwick hotel booking when VAT/tax is included.

Warwick also has a webpage dedicated to travel professionals, www.warwickhotels.com/travelagents, with specific details available to agents. Commission percentage and booking conditions may be different at various locations. To book, visit www.warwickhotels.com/special_offers.aspx  and select the Irresistible Suite Dreams package (GDS: WK Rate Code: WKSTE). For more information, visit www.warwickhotels.com

Worldhotels, a group of independent hotels worldwide, has formed a strategic partnership with Antoitalia Hospitality, an Italian real estate advisor and management firm specializing in the hospitality industry. The partnership is intended to drive Worldhotels’ newly launched branding solution in the EMEA region. Worldhotels is expanding its current affiliation business model in the EMEA region by adding a full-license model for hotels seeking a brand solution with global recognition at a fraction of typical franchise fees.

With 43 Italian hotels under its affiliation model, Worldhotels will focus on acquiring full-license hotels in strategically important cities such as Rome and Milan. Antoitalia will support this growth by providing guidance and valuable contacts in the Italian hotel sector as well as hotel management services for full-license properties. For more information, visit www.worldhotels.com

Romantik Hotels and Restaurants added a new hotel in Germany, the Romantik Hotel Der Alpenhof, an hour’s drive from Munich with views of the Alps. It is also near the lakes Schlier, Spitzing and Tegernsee, with flowering meadows in summer and snowy slopes in winter. The hotel offers hiking, biking or cable car trips in the Bavarian-Mountain range and a pool, spa, sauna and steam room.

Eight suites are individually themed as Oriental, Asian or rustic mountain lodge. Fresh, local ingredients prepared by chef Chris Lehmann and his team make up the culinary offerings, with changing weekly culinary themes, such as Sylt or Toscana. For more information, visit www.romantikhotels.com/Bayrischzell.