ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS PRESENTS “BEHIND THE JOURNEY” EXHIBITION EXPLORING DISCOVERY OF PLACE THROUGH CHINA'S CREATIVE TALENT
The latest experience from Rosewood Front Row, the brand's ongoing global cultural series, the exhibition debuts at Shanghai Art Week coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of Rosewood's entry into China. |
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ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS PRESENTS “BEHIND THE JOURNEY” EXHIBITION EXPLORING DISCOVERY OF PLACE THROUGH CHINA'S CREATIVE TALENT
The latest experience from Rosewood Front Row, the brand's ongoing global cultural series, the exhibition debuts at Shanghai Art Week coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of Rosewood's entry into China. |
Category: Asia Pacific - China - Exclusive experiences
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This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2024-12-16
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, globally recognized for its fervor for discovery and localized experiences, is pleased to present Behind the Journey, a limited-time exhibition that reintroduces viewers to the brand’s worldly destinations through a new, distinctive lens. Launching timed to the widely celebrated Shanghai Art Week, and further commemorating Rosewood’s 10 years in China following the 2014 opening of the now iconic Rosewood Beijing, the exhibition features the original works of acclaimed artists Wing Shya, Leslie Zhang, and Li Cha, who over the past several months have traveled to different Rosewood locations to capture their Sense of Place in their own signature styles.
The result is a photographic exploration of the brand’s guiding philosophy that facilitates new discovery of people and place.
“Rosewood Front Row is a global culture series first introduced earlier this year at Art Basel Hong Kong to creating a multidisciplinary platform that welcomes leaders across art, design, and culture, to share their talents and insights. As the second edition of Rosewood Front Row, Behind the Journey was created to reflect on discovery of a place, blending time, geography, and local cultures into three time-capsules for visitors to experience. With a refreshed approach and perspective, the exhibition is designed to invite viewers to connect with the world,” says Joanna Gunn, Chief Brand Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.
Behind the Journey, A New Approach to Discovery from Rosewood
Developed in partnership with LABELHOOD, a platform and community of Chinese designers and creative talents, with artistic direction from curator Sean Kunjambu, Behind the Journey comprises the works of three artists who each explored one of Rosewood’s alluring destinations to document their personal discoveries.
Heralded by the distinguished photographer and film director Wing Shya, alongside LABELHOOD curated photographers Leslie Zhang and Li Cha, the exhibition reintroduces viewers to these beloved Rosewood locales through a new lens.
“Curating the exhibition, my ambition was to craft a multisensory experience together with the talented Wing Shya, Leslie Zhang and Li Cha,” said Sean Kunjambu.
“I had the pleasure of joining them on their travels – seeking to inspire with keywords and mood boards – as we closely collaborated to capture their unique perspectives on three global cities. The outcome is this collection of sublime imagery, together forming a triptych of photographic stories celebrating cultures, colors and creativity.”
For Beijing-born photographer Li Cha, the discovery of Beijing unfolds in the intricate textures of Rosewood’s first destination in China. From the ‘hutong’ alleyways to the terracotta tiles, Li celebrates the storied architectural elements of Beijing through tight, magnified shots that emphasize the most minute of details.
Viewers are invited to journey through time and immerse themselves in the history, grandiosity, and culture of the capital city. Mused Li, “After living in Beijing for a long time, rediscovering the city with new eyes was my mission for Rosewood’s Behind The Journey exhibition, like renewed passion for a teacup that has been used for many years. Does time produce fatigue and indifference, or will it allow me to unfold its inner meaning? I took this series of photos with this idea in mind.”
The second place to discover is Luang Prabang, achieved through a collection of dreamlike vistas captured by Leslie Zhang and his muse Ye Riqun. Standing at the crossroads of Laos’ past and future, Luang Prabang extends a rich and unique fusion of eastern and western influences that deeply resonates with today’s cultural explorers.
Leslie introduces viewers to the destination’s roots as a historic religious sanctuary through his thought inspiring depiction of a solo traveler, Ye. Her voyage along Luang Prabang’s less-treaded paths, waters, and wilderness illuminates both its traditionality and its tranquility.
“This shoot with Rosewood in Luang Prabang was a journey back to simplicity and nature, like a blessing from the past,” said Leslie Zhang.
The last discovery of the exhibition is Madrid, expressed through the lens of Wing Shya. The enriched culture and intense colors of the Spanish city and its grand Rosewood Villa Magna – yellow golds and vibrant reds reminiscent of joy, warmth, and passion – along with the inhabitants of the city – matadors, flamenco dancers, football players – are the focal point of Wing’s work.
The result is a reflection of culture, movements, and colors that is both nostalgic and romantic.
“In my work I am always inspired by new experiences and encounters, and I certainly found this to be true exploring Spanish culture and style through this project with Rosewood,” said artist Wing Shya.
“The local community in Madrid evokes a warmth and colorfulness that is ultimately intrinsic to the place, and it was a delightful surprise to be consistently greeted with smiles and friendliness among the subjects that we captured in our shots. It was important to convey these warm connections forged with the people we met along the way, which influenced my choice to use rich and inviting colors to tell their stories. It was great fun to learn from this culture and channel my experience and fond feelings into my photos.”
Together, the three time-capsules offer an eye-opening journey of discovery that moves, inspires and beckons viewers to connect with the world differently. Each series of works occupies a distinctive, vividly themed room that reflects the visual cues of the featured destination and conjures its own atmospheric experience.
“LABELHOOD has built a platform to record and reflect the works of the best Chinese creatives and designers in the current era, so that their ideas and aesthetics can reach more people, not just in China but globally,” said Tasha Liu, Founder of LABELHOOD.
“Rosewood’s recognition of our mission and respect for Chinese creatives contributed to this joint creation. We hope to build upon this work to discover more places in the world that deserve to be explored through the lenses of photographers with different styles.”
The exhibition is available to experience from November 8 to 10 during West Bund Art Fair and art 021 at ROJO, one of Shanghai’s newest spaces for exploring art and culture. For more information, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/behind-thejourney.
10 Years in China and a Never-Ending Journey of Discovery
With the opening of Rosewood Beijing in 2014, Rosewood set out to evolve the way that traditional hospitality approached the curation of meaningful, life-elevating experiences that foster connections between people and place. In the years since the brand has brought this endeavor and philosophy across Greater China to Sanya, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, inviting guests for more and more unique and forward-thinking opportunities to embark on life-elevating journeys of discovery in the world’s most discerning destinations. Each property does so differently, masterfully reflecting the nuance of these locations.
Rosewood Beijing, at the crossroads of history and modernity, embodies and evolves with the city’s diversified grandeur. In its decade of operations, the hotel has become a mainstay of not just Beijing’s but the larger region’s cultural and creative landscape.
Rosewood Guangzhou, a new landmark in the vibrant Greater Bay Area, is connected to the area’s distinctive old-meets-new dynamic. Ranked among the top three in The World’s 50 Best Hotels for two consecutive years, Rosewood Hong Kong is regarded as the brand’s new-generation flagship with enriched offerings, experiences, and connection to the vibrant city. The kaleidoscopic collection of Rosewood hotels and resorts in China and worldwide seamlessly connects with the places and communities of which they are a part, facilitating connections and paving the way towards a future where people and place enrich one another.
October 31, 2024, Shanghai – Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, globally recognized for its fervor for discovery and localized experiences, is pleased to present Behind the Journey, a limited-time exhibition that reintroduces viewers to the brand’s worldly destinations through a new, distinctive lens. Launching timed to the widely celebrated Shanghai Art Week, and further commemorating Rosewood’s 10 years in China following the 2014 opening of the now iconic Rosewood Beijing, the exhibition features the original works of acclaimed artists Wing Shya, Leslie Zhang, and Li Cha, who over the past several months have traveled to different Rosewood locations to capture their Sense of Place in their own signature styles. The result is a photographic exploration of the brand’s guiding philosophy that facilitates new discovery of people and place.
“Rosewood Front Row is a global culture series first introduced earlier this year at Art Basel Hong Kong to creating a multidisciplinary platform that welcomes leaders across art, design, and culture, to share their talents and insights. As the second edition of Rosewood Front Row, Behind the Journey was created to reflect on discovery of a place, blending time, geography, and local cultures into three time-capsules for visitors to experience. With a refreshed approach and perspective, the exhibition is designed to invite viewers to connect with the world,” says Joanna Gunn, Chief Brand Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.
Behind the Journey, A New Approach to Discovery from Rosewood
Developed in partnership with LABELHOOD, a platform and community of Chinese designers and creative talents, with artistic direction from curator Sean Kunjambu, Behind the Journey comprises the works of three artists who each explored one of Rosewood’s alluring destinations to document their personal discoveries. Heralded by the distinguished photographer and film director Wing Shya, alongside LABELHOOD curated photographers Leslie Zhang and Li Cha, the exhibition reintroduces viewers to these beloved Rosewood locales through a new lens.
“Curating the exhibition, my ambition was to craft a multisensory experience together with the talented Wing Shya, Leslie Zhang and Li Cha,” said Sean Kunjambu.
“I had the pleasure of joining them on their travels – seeking to inspire with keywords and mood boards – as we closely collaborated to capture their unique perspectives on three global cities. The outcome is this collection of sublime imagery, together forming a triptych of photographic stories celebrating cultures, colors and creativity.”
For Beijing-born photographer Li Cha, the discovery of Beijing unfolds in the intricate textures of Rosewood’s first destination in China. From the ‘hutong’ alleyways to the terracotta tiles, Li celebrates the storied architectural elements of Beijing through tight, magnified shots that emphasize the most minute of details.
Viewers are invited to journey through time and immerse themselves in the history, grandiosity, and culture of the capital city. Mused Li, “After living in Beijing for a long time, rediscovering the city with new eyes was my mission for Rosewood’s Behind The Journey exhibition, like renewed passion for a teacup that has been used for many years. Does time produce fatigue and indifference, or will it allow me to unfold its inner meaning? I took this series of photos with this idea in mind.”
The second place to discover is Luang Prabang, achieved through a collection of dreamlike vistas captured by Leslie Zhang and his muse Ye Riqun. Standing at the crossroads of Laos’ past and future, Luang Prabang extends a rich and unique fusion of eastern and western influences that deeply resonates with today’s cultural explorers.
Leslie introduces viewers to the destination’s roots as a historic religious sanctuary through his thought inspiring depiction of a solo traveler, Ye. Her voyage along Luang Prabang’s less-treaded paths, waters, and wilderness illuminates both its traditionality and its tranquility. “This shoot with Rosewood in Luang Prabang was a journey back to simplicity and nature, like a blessing from the past,” said Leslie Zhang.
The last discovery of the exhibition is Madrid, expressed through the lens of Wing Shya. The enriched culture and intense colors of the Spanish city and its grand Rosewood Villa Magna – yellow golds and vibrant reds reminiscent of joy, warmth, and passion – along with the inhabitants of the city – matadors, flamenco dancers, football players – are the focal point of Wing’s work.
The result is a reflection of culture, movements, and colors that is both nostalgic and romantic.
“In my work I am always inspired by new experiences and encounters, and I certainly found this to be true exploring Spanish culture and style through this project with Rosewood,” said artist Wing Shya.
“The local community in Madrid evokes a warmth and colorfulness that is ultimately intrinsic to the place, and it was a delightful surprise to be consistently greeted with smiles and friendliness among the subjects that we captured in our shots. It was important to convey these warm connections forged with the people we met along the way, which influenced my choice to use rich and inviting colors to tell their stories. It was great fun to learn from this culture and channel my experience and fond feelings into my photos.”
Together, the three time-capsules offer an eye-opening journey of discovery that moves, inspires and beckons viewers to connect with the world differently. Each series of works occupies a distinctive, vividly themed room that reflects the visual cues of the featured destination and conjures its own atmospheric experience.
“LABELHOOD has built a platform to record and reflect the works of the best Chinese creatives and designers in the current era, so that their ideas and aesthetics can reach more people, not just in China but globally,” said Tasha Liu, Founder of LABELHOOD. “Rosewood’s recognition of our mission and respect for Chinese creatives contributed to this joint creation. We hope to build upon this work to discover more places in the world that deserve to be explored through the lenses of photographers with different styles.”
The exhibition is available to experience from November 8 to 10 during West Bund Art Fair and art 021 at ROJO, one of Shanghai’s newest spaces for exploring art and culture. For more information, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/behind-thejourney.
10 Years in China and a Never-Ending Journey of Discovery
With the opening of Rosewood Beijing in 2014, Rosewood set out to evolve the way that traditional hospitality approached the curation of meaningful, life-elevating experiences that foster connections between people and place. In the years since the brand has brought this endeavor and philosophy across Greater China to Sanya, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, inviting guests for more and more unique and forward-thinking opportunities to embark on life-elevating journeys of discovery in the world’s most discerning destinations.
Each property does so differently, masterfully reflecting the nuance of these locations.
Rosewood Beijing, at the crossroads of history and modernity, embodies and evolves with the city’s diversified grandeur. In its decade of operations, the hotel has become a mainstay of not just Beijing’s but the larger region’s cultural and creative landscape. Rosewood Guangzhou, a new landmark in the vibrant Greater Bay Area, is connected to the area’s distinctive old-meets-new dynamic.
Ranked among the top three in The World’s 50 Best Hotels for two consecutive years, Rosewood Hong Kong is regarded as the brand’s new-generation flagship with enriched offerings, experiences, and connection to the vibrant city. The kaleidoscopic collection of Rosewood hotels and resorts in China and worldwide seamlessly connects with the places and communities of which they are a part, facilitating connections and paving the way towards a future where people and place enrich one another.
 Photo credit © Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
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