THE PLANNER

Published: 12:00am, 6 Jan 2003

Museum Exhibitions

War And Peace

War And Peace - Treasures Of The Qin And Han Dynasties features national relics such as pieces of the terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shihuang and the lifelike pottery of animals from the Han dynasty (202 BC to AD 220). Many of the 100 artefacts are being shown in Hong Kong for the first time. The exhibition is a feature of the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Mon and Wed-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun and public holidays, 10am-7pm. HK Museum of History, 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2724 9042. Free. Ends Mar 17

A New Art Of The Past

This exhibition features oil paintings by more than 40 veteran Chinese artists who were trained in Western art before 1950, pioneering a new painting style that fused Western techniques with Chinese expressionism. This exhibition presents paintings from the 1950s and 60s by influential masters such as Yan Wenliang, Liu Haisu, Yu Ben, Zhang Zizheng and Sun Jianguang. Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6pm; Sun, 1.30pm-5.30pm (closed public holidays). University Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam. Inquiries: 2241 5513 or visit www.hku.hk/hkumag. Ends Jan 19

Inkplay In Microcosm

The use of powdered snuff became widespread in China during the late Ming period, and was especially popular among the Manchus in the Qing dynasty. Small bottles were designed to carry the substance, the insides of which were marked with intricate paintings of landscapes, figures, birds, flowers and other auspicious designs. This exhibition displays more than 160 bottles made by renowned masters such as Gan Xuanwen, Zhou Leyuan and Ding Erzhong. Mon-Sat, 10am-4.45pm; Sun, 12.30pm-5.30pm (closed on public holidays). East-wing Galleries, Art Museum, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin. Free admission. Tel: 2609 7416. Ends Feb 16

Lu Shoukun - New Ink Paintings

More than 100 works by this pioneering Hong Kong artist are unveiled at the Museum of Art. The exhibition is divided into two sections: The Origin covers Lu's early works when he was under the influence of traditional masters; In Search Of Zen shows his more modern works. Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat (closed Thu), 10am-6pm; Sun and public holidays, 1pm-6pm. HK Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. $10 ($5). Wed free. Tel: 2721 0116

Miniature Chinese Classical Furniture

Miniature models of Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) furniture from the personal collection of Charles C W Wong are displayed in small, traditional-style living rooms, bedrooms and studies. The Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties were influential phases in the development of Chinese furniture-making, when craftsmen paid meticulous attention to the artistry of their designs. These models are crafted on a scale of 1:8. Mon, Wed-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun and public holidays, 10am-7pm. Closed Tue. Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. $10 ($5), free on Wed. Inquiries: 2180 8188 or visit www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk. Ends May 31

Culture

A Vast Land, A Diverse People

The Hong Kong Dance Company presents a show inspired by nature, 'land in the mountains under blue skies and white clouds'. Thu-Fri, 7.30pm; Sat-Sun, 3pm. City Hall Theatre, Central. $80-$110 Urbtix. Inquiries: 3103 1810 or visit www.hkdance.com

Flowing Fancies

This is the world premiere of prolific Hong Kong composer Law Wing-fai's 'bold and improvisatory' concerto Flowing Fancies, which was inspired by the flow of Chinese calligraphy. Pipa virtuoso Wong Ching performs with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. There is also a performance of R Strauss' Horn Concerto No 2 and Beethoven's Symphony No 1, with the Philharmonic's principal horn, Mark Vines, leading. Fri, 8pm. Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium. Sat, 8pm. Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. $50-$120 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2312 6103 or visit www.hkpo.com

Know Your Piano Concertos II

Following the first show in April last year, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta returns with a series of piano concertos. Music director Yip Wing-sie conducts and narrates with Ma Cong (one of Hong Kong's most promising young pianists) performing concertos by Liszt, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Narration is in Cantonese. Fri, Kwai Tsing Theatre. Sun, Sha Tin Town Hall. Both shows at 8pm. $60-$120 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321 or visit www.hksinfonietta.org

Untie The Boat From The Ugly Wharf

A show of movement, music and comedy. This collaboration between Arts With The Disabled Association Hong Kong and Australia's Theatre of Silence tells the Hong Kong story of how a woman living in 'the hyper treadmill of this crazy town' manages to 'find her way back to a life of sanity'. Wed-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 3pm and 8pm. $100 ($80). Fringe Theatre, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central. Tel: 2521 7251

HK Rep

The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre performs at the Arts Centre for the first time, with an Internet-themed drama series consisting of two plays running on alternate nights. Written by Yu Rongjun and directed by Yin Zhusheng from Shanghai, www.com is an award-winning play of the story of love lost and found in reality and cyberspace. Hong Kong's Rape Virus is a dark story of 'visual fantasy turning to real-life crime'. In Cantonese with English surtitles. www.com: Sat, Sun, Jan 16, 17, 19, 22, 25 and 27. Rape Virus: Jan 14, 15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 26 and 28. $100-$170 Ticketek. Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd, Wanchai. Inquiries: call 3103 5900 or visit www.hkrep.com

Organ Recital By Jennifer Bates

The award-winning British organist Jennifer Bates plays her own compositions, Variations On A Gregorian Theme and Toccata On A Theme Of Martin Shaw. The programme also includes works by Bach, Schumann, Liszt, Tournemire and Langlais. Jan 12, 8pm. Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. $50-$120 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321

King's Harmonica Quintet 15th Anniversary Concert

This stellar quintet made headlines in 1997 when it won first prize at the World Harmonica Championships in Germany. Ho Pak-cheong, Kenneth Chan Shu-keung, Lau Chun-bong, Rocky Lok Ying-kei and Johnny Kuan Man-hou perform a programme of Western and Chinese music, with guest soloists guitarist Stephen Chau, choreographer and dancer Ong Yong Lock, sheng player Loo Sze-wang, pianist Nerrisa Yeung and fellow harmonica player Herman Ho Kwong-pui. Jan 13, 8pm. City Hall, Central. $80-$140 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321

Meat

Four local artists study the 'mass consumption culture', and draw a link between meat and lust. Ivy Ma returns to Hong Kong from England and presents work that exposes the sensuous elements of the SAR. Designer Mark Chiu displays the disposable aspects and motion of the city; Francis Wong explores cloning with his work. Katherine Lai, a designer who came up with the initial concept of the exhibition, explores the happiness that can be found in eating. 1ASpace, Unit 14, Cattle Depot Artist Village, 63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon. Tel: 2529 0087

The John Thompson Collection And Wang Keping

The John Thompson Collection is an exhibition of 40 hand-finished silver gelatine photographs of 19th-century Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asia, created using the original glass-plate negatives. While perusing the prints, you can also admire the work of Chinese sculptor Wang Keping. Although Wang has lived and worked in France since 1984, he played a big role in stimulating the contemporary arts movement in China. 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, SoHo, Central. Tel: 2810 0065. Ends Jan 11

Urbtix: 2734 9009

Urbtix/CityLines credit-card booking: 2111 5999

Fringe: 2521 7251

CityLine: 2317 6666

TicketNet: 2312 9998

Ticketek: 3128 8288

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