Handover treat for museum lovers

Members of the public can visit standard exhibitions at M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum for free on July 1 to mark the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China, said West Kowloon Cultural District Authority CEO Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee.

During the authority's meeting yesterday, Fung said people can visit the Palace Museum's seven thematic exhibitions and galleries on level two of M+ free of charge - but online reservations for free entry to the Palace Museum on July 1 have been fully booked.

"Visitors who would like to visit HKPM on that day can purchase special tickets online or at the door," Fung said.

Palace Museum tickets come in two tiers: HK$60 for admission to thematic exhibitions at seven galleries, and HK$220 for full admission to special exhibits at two more galleries.

General admission tickets to the Palace Museum for children, the elderly and full-time students are HK$30 each.

For free admission to M+, no advance registration is required. A general ticket of M+ costs HK$120, which allows access to galleries on level two of the museum.

Visitors with a HK$160 pass can also visit the special I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture exhibit to be held from next Saturday to January 5.

Fung said the exhibit will feature over 300 objects by Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei, including original drawings, architectural models, photographs and films spanning several decades of his career.

During the exhibit, M+ would host a series of public activities, including a public lecture by Pei's son, Sandi Pei Li-chung, and his collaborators Calvin Tsao and Aslihan Demirtas, as well as film screenings focusing on Pei.

Fung said the museum's "M+ at Night" campaign between April and this month had attracted over 4,000 visitors, including some 1,620 last month which featured night-time activities including make-up workshops, harborfront tours, and a free exhibit of 1980s Cantopop culture.

Meanwhile, the Palace Museum will also see a new special exhibition on French Fashion and Jewelery from 1770 to 1910 starting next Wednesday until October 14.

Jointly organized by HKPM and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the special will feature over 300 treasured French costumes, jewelry and accessories from the late 18th century to early 20th century.

Fung yesterday said structural works for seating at the Lyric Theatre Complex have been completed. The installation of glass curtain walls has started, along with the power supply system.

The art hub has been warning that it will run out of funds by next year, and its chairman Henry Tang Ying-yen said last month that it is now taking loans.

Despite the district having handed plans to authorities after government funds are drained next year, Tang said the administration has yet to respond, adding it should have completed a study into the district's finances.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com