FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 2, 2015
THE PENINSULA CHICAGO AND PEARL LAM GALLERIES ANNOUNCE
ART INSTALLATION WITH RENOWNED KOREAN ARTIST CHOI JEONG HWA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXPO CHICAGO
On the occasion of the annual EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art,The Peninsula Chicago is embracing the art community by installing a significant artinstallation entitled ‘Alchemy’ by renowned Korean artist Choi Jeong Hwa, curated by Pearl Lam Galleries.The Peninsula Hotels take pride in highlighting their destination cities and this project is an ideal way to showcase Chicago at the heart of the global contemporary art scene. The installation will debut on September 14, 2015 to coincide with EXPO Chicago, and will be displayed in The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago through March 20, 2016, as a part of a public art project.
Renowned for his colorful installations using materials often sourced in Korean street markets, Choi has exhibited at the Korean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, the Hayward Gallery in London, and held solo exhibitions at museums worldwide.
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THE PENINSULA CHICAGO AND PEARL LAM GALLERIES ANNOUNCE
ART INSTALLATION WITH RENOWNED KOREAN ARTIST CHOI JEONG HWA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXPO CHICAGO— 2
The site-specific light installationfor The Peninsula Chicago consists of found LED lights, plastic bowls and steel, in 24 “totem pole” pillars. Mr. Choi will personally oversee the installation of his exhibit in the hotel’s main lobby level in the area known as The Gallery, a verycentral and visible area as guests access the lobby of the hotel.
Additionally, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mr. Choi has donated one of the pillars from ‘Alchemy’ to the hotel to auction off to raise funds for Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.
The Peninsula Hotels Supports Public Art Initiatives
The Peninsula Hotels continues its ongoing support of innovative public art around the world, by partnering with art museums, galleries and private collectors to enable guests to enjoy pioneering works by established masters and emerging artists. Each hotel has committed to supporting the arts, including a pioneering partnership with The Peninsula Hong Kong and the UK’s Royal Academy of Arts, an artist-in-residency program for emerging contemporary artists at The Peninsula Beijing, and a rotating collection of contemporary artwork on display at The Peninsula New York and art-related Peninsula Academy programmes in each hotel. The Peninsula Chicago’s partnership with Pearl Lam Galleries and Mr. Choi is a natural extension of the group’s wildly successful art initiatives around the world.
Maria Razumich-Zec, Regional Vice President and General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago says, “We hope that this collaboration will contribute to Chicago’s position in the international arts community, and the growing perception of our city as an arts hub. Ultimately, we would like to realize a dream, which is to showcase pioneering public art that excites, challengers and spurs dialogue.
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THE PENINSULA CHICAGO AND PEARL LAM GALLERIES ANNOUNCE
ART INSTALLATION WITH RENOWNED KOREAN ARTIST CHOI JEONG HWA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXPO CHICAGO— 3
Pearl Lam, founder of Pearl Lam Galleries says, “We are excited to exhibit the dynamic work of ChoiJeong Hwa at The Peninsula Chicago, as it continues the Galleries’ mission of encouraging cross-cultural exchange and discussion between the East and West. The aesthetics ofChoi’s work make it easily accessible to the public, yet there is a great depth beyond the surface.” Mr. Choi added these comments on his perspective on art: “Your heart is my art. Your shopping is my art. Plastic is...immortal."
In Support of Peninsula in Pink
The Peninsula Hotels have long been known for charitable initiatives, including bringing attention to breast cancer awareness. This year during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the hotel company is supporting local cancer organizations with fundraising initiatives at each location. In Chicago, guests and visitors are invited to bid via a sealed bid process on a single piece from Mr. Choi’s ‘Alchemy’ (a pink LED piece selected specifically by the artist). This is a very unique opportunity to own a piece of a world-renowned artist’s installation that has exhibited throughout the world and to support a worthy cause. The local breast cancer charity is Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation. For rules and additional information, please contact the hotel Concierge at +1 (312) 573 6530.
About Choi Jeong Hwa
Choi Jeong Hwa (b. 1961) is both an artist and a designer of buildings, furniture, and furnishings. One of the most dynamic and well known of Korean contemporary artists, his work has been presented at numerous biennials including Liverpool (2004), Venice (2005), and Singapore (2006), as well as at Asia House, London (2006) and Wolverhampton (2007).
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THE PENINSULA CHICAGO AND PEARL LAM GALLERIES ANNOUNCE
ART INSTALLATION WITH RENOWNED KOREAN ARTIST CHOI JEONG HWA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXPO CHICAGO— 4
On initial viewing, the strong design elements and colors of Choi Jeong Hwa's works seem like Pop Art. However, his works involve finding and exploring the intrinsic value hidden beneath the surface. The surface to the inner dialectic of his visual aesthetics challenges and questions us, the viewers, who have perhaps become too content with other forms of contemporary art.
Choi Jeong Hwa creates art from the most humble of materials, finding inspiration in soda bottles, shopping bags, and colorful plastic dishes from the 99 cent store. Inspired by the harmony and chaos of the urban environment, the artist, architect, and designer undermines the hierarchy of the museum by often installing his pieces on the outside of buildings. He has created a 10-story installation made from 1,000 discarded doors, and decorated Seoul’s Olympic Stadium with garlands made from 2 million pieces of trash—transforming the building’s surface into a glittering jewel. In other pieces, he explores ideas of artificiality and permanence through the use of plastic food and flowers. He declines to categorize his work, leaving the audience to define his pieces on a personal level. As his motto states: “My art is your heart.”
About Pearl Lam Galleries
Founded by Pearl Lam, Pearl Lam Galleries is a driving force within Asia's contemporary art scene. With over 20 years of experience exhibiting Asian and Western art and design, it is one of the leading and most established contemporary art galleries to be launched out of China.
Playing a vital role in stimulating international dialogue on Chinese and Asian contemporary art, the Galleries is dedicated to championing artists who re-evaluate and challenge perceptions of cultural practice from the region.
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THE PENINSULA CHICAGO AND PEARL LAM GALLERIES ANNOUNCE
ART INSTALLATION WITH RENOWNED KOREAN ARTIST CHOI JEONG HWA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXPO CHICAGO— 2
About EXPO CHICAGO
EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, opens the fall art season each September at historic Navy Pier. Entering its fourth edition in 2015, EXPO CHICAGO presents artwork from 140 leading galleries, representing 16 countries and 47 cities from around the world, and includes EXPOSURE—a section that affords younger galleries the opportunity to participate in a major international art fair. The exposition provides critical opportunities for curators, collectors, and art patrons to survey the best in innovative and emerging programs.
EXPO CHICAGO will take place September 17 to 20, 2015.
About The Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago is a Five Star, Five Diamond hotel located on the “Magnificent Mile” at 108 East Superior Street (at Michigan Avenue), within the city’s premier shopping district. The 339 guest room hotel opened in 2001 and features three distinctive restaurants, a popular bar and a world-class spa. For information on The Peninsula Chicago, please visit or call +1 (312) 337 2888 or toll-free at +1 (866) 288 8889.
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About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH)
Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00045), The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development, and management of prestigious hotels and commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, and The Peninsula Paris. Projects under development include The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Yangon. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 1-5 Grosvenor Place in London, UK, and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand; Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Susan Ellefson
Director of Public Relations
The Peninsula Chicago
108 East Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Telephone:+1 (312) 573 6616
Fax:+1 (312) 573 6612
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