LOUIS VUITTON 2008
SIMON BIRCH: OUT OF THE DARKNESS HONG KONG
Simon Birch has been exhibiting new work consistently since relocating to Hong Kong in 1997. Diagnosed with cancer this year, he has been suffering from various intensive treatments. Like any artists, the trumatised Birch released his grief, anger and fear through his latest work.
‘Out of the Darkness’ is the emotional diary of Simon Birch. The lengthy Louis Vuitton gallery is turned into Birch’s case archive. The artist’s friends Wing Shya and Stanley Wong Ping Pui (Anothermountainman) captured the artist’s treatment under their lens, as well as Birch’s attempt to create new work in the duration. The artist scribbled his emotions at the time on each of them. A gigantic drawing is placed in parallel to the photo diary; the tranquil and warm drawing is a contrast to the darkness and bleakness shown opposite. It is a journey of sorrow, helplessness, violent evolved to the uplift of the final recovery.
It is a genuine relief to see Simon Birch speaking with his guests in the preview.
Text: Ron Lam | Translation: dilettante
Photo Courtesy: Louis Vuitton
Update: 21 Nov 2008
Louis Vuitton Maison, 5 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong
19 Nov 2008 to 11 Jan 2009
10am to 9pm Daily
LOUIS VUITTON
www.louisvuitton.com
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