Hong Kong is the only city in Southeast Asian region that could be described as New York in Asia. It has the same hustle bustle rhythm and its pretty much a melting pot.

We can say Hong Kong these days is the hippest city in Asia and the most progressive too. It is not a big surprise if international brands are aiming for this city for investment. Louis Vuitton is one such brand and pretty much one of the strongest players there.

After opening their flagship store in Hong Kong last year, Louis Vuitton is aiming to achieve bigger sales in Hong Kong by working in collaboration with the Hong Kong Museum of Art for their 17th Le French Art May Festival 2009, from May 22 to Aug. 9.

This exhibition showcases Louis Vuitton's long history and association with the world of art, as well as its passion in working with different artists in various ways. Without a doubt this is a major collaboration that involves many big names and massive works.

For starters, the whole fa*ade of the Hong Kong Museum of Art will be wrapped up with the "After Dark" series made by controversial American painter and photographer Richard Prince. This is the first time ever that the Hong Kong Museum of Art has allowed such an installation on its fa*ade.

Richard Prince is one of the artists who has collaborated with Mark Jacobs (current Louis Vuitton designer) and together they created the 2008 Spring Collection for the brand. This kind of collaboration shows a good example of Louis Vuitton's strong connection with the arts.

"The ties between Louis Vuitton and art are diverse, inspiring and highly creative. Louis Vuitton has crossed the border or art and fashion in a way that few other brands have. This exhibition is an invitation for the public to discover the daring adventure of Louis Vuitton's artistic collaborations," comments Herv* Mikaeloff, curator of the "Louis Vuitton and Art" part of the exhibition.

In the previous years, Vuitton has shown this tie combining luxury and arts by involving many other world famous artists such as the late Stephen Sprouse (for its Fall/Winter 2006-2007 collection) and Takashi Murakami (for the Spring/Summer 2003 collection). I believe most bag-loving women in Indonesia are familiar with the famous Murakami bag and its eye-popping colors of Monogram Multicolore.

Indeed, this must be the biggest exhibition Louis Vuitton has ever created in this side of the world. Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation is composed of two parts, each of which deals with different aspects of the fashion house's activities and projects in the artistic domain.

The first part, entitled "Louis Vuitton and Art" and curated by Herv* Mikaeloff, will be dedicated to the brand's heritage (exceptional pieces of luggage from the Louis Vuitton Museum in Asni*res) and fruitful collaborations of Marc Jacobs with contemporary artists mentioned above.

The second part of the exhibition will focus on the Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Creation. The first section entitled "The Architectural Project" will show the model designed by Frank Gehry.

The second section, "The Collection, A Choice", curated by Suzanne Pag* with Beatrice Parent collaborating with Laurence Boss*, will show a selection of artworks from the Fondation's collection. The third section, curated by Phil Tinari, will give an insight into the local art scene with works of young Hong Kong artists.

Everything from visual arts and sculpture to signature bags will all be part of this exhibition. From Takashi Murakami's famous Panda sculpture, Speedy 35 bag in Monogramouflage canvas, to Jeff Koons painting Monkey Train (Birds) are a few examples of what we can expect to see in this magnificent exhibition.

Seven young Hong Kong artists have also been commissioned to participate in this exhibition, namely Nadim Abbas, Lee Kit, Leung Chi Wo, Pak Sheung Chuen, Tsang Kin Wah, Adrian Wong and Doris Wai-Yin Wong. This section proves the Foundation to be true to its principle of nurturing and promoting creative talents.

If you interested in this incredible exhibition, you can still go to Hong Kong and catch up, as the exhibition will last until August 9, 2009. It is open to visitors every day except Thursday, with a HK$30 admission fee. This kind of exhibition perhaps only comes once in a decade.

So, if you are in Hong Kong do take the opportunity to witnessing what may be the biggest ever Louis Vuitton exhibition in the Asia Pacific region.

Louis Vuitton: A Passion For Creation

Hong Kong Museum of Art

10 Salisbury Road

Tsim Sha Tsui

Kowloon - Hong Kong

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