As you all know, the winter is now having his arm fully stretched and
it is the ideal moment for an existential idiosyncratic exercise to
avoid mental depression.

The first exercise would take place tomorrow at the Opening evening of
White cube gallery (Maison Yard), celebrating recent works by Polish
artist Miroslaw Balka from 6pm to 8pm.
That’s tomorrow night, let you know if you are interested and it would
be good to share your winters.

Following that, Haunch & Venision will present the first part of Keth
Coventry’s painting and sculpture, also from 6pm.

The success of GSK exhibition and pop up dinner concept initated by
creatives, there is one more by Carsten Holler. Who is Carsten Holler?
Well, anyone of you still remember the ’slide’ from Tate Modern last
year, he is the author from germany. He has beening working on this
pop-up dinner-drinks-club concept based on Congo, it’s called the
Double Club and the website is www.thedoubleclub.co.uk
7 Torrens Street London.

He is the artist of whom I have devoted to see when I was in Paris
earlier this year by sacrificing a Adam Kimmel show.

The week also arrives two of the most anticipated exhbition; the first
one is Indian Highway at the Serpertine Highway, an exhibition,
similar to the recent opening of Philip du Pury, showcase the
up-and-coming Indian contemporary artists.

The second one, the legendary Tsar, will be showing at the Victoria &
Albert Museum from the 10th of December to February 2009.

Please also note that there was a fantastic article on Balmain by
Christophe Decarrin in the International Herald Tribune, whose of you
who wishes to drive away from Balenciaga, should park here. Of course,
by that I mean you still have 2000 pounds for a Zebra prints blouses.

Take care,

Ricky

I will waste as little time as possible.

The 32nd Hong Kong International Film Festival will stretched from the 17th of March to the 4th of April.

Please do look at my personal selection for your reference.

And, please book early if interested.

Oh..my mistake with Peter Greenaway’s Nightwatching, not Night watch.

There is no excuse of not knowing it because I know it and I’m in London!!

Lau Wai Kei

When Christopher Nolan took the directorial project Batman five years ago, he basically revived the concept of Batman.

Anyone of you familiar with Nolan’s work will know he ‘games’ with the time and space of cinema.

There is no doubt that Batman Begins is a blockbuster but he challenges the fragility of Batman and his emotional upheaval. You may interpret the concept a little deeper like ‘being’ Batman, transformation. Also there is no denial that a lot of references are coming from a psycholoanalytic point of view such as Freud and Lacan. The alter ego of ‘bat’, also the ‘Other’, the unconscious which is his fear-most ‘bat’. His confrontation with his fear and unconscious transform the human being…sound Nietzsche.

Now, this summer, Nolan and his solid cast return with what the batman franchise ‘begins’ 16 years ago.

The emphasis of this film is definitely on the late Heath Ledger as the notorious Joker. From the trailer and poster, the new Joker appears more ’slim’ compare to Jack Nicolson’s version. Please note that all of Nicholson’s wardrobe was from the late Edward Sexton which his work has a great influence on Mark Powell, Timthory Everest and John Pearse’s Cutting technique.

Will there be and psychological reference this time, of course, I believe Joker is basically the ‘mirror’ of Batman and vice versa. A small different to traumatic unconscious, the mirror stage enhance the existence of the individual, establishing the Ego or ID.

I expect more English tailoring like Anderson & Sheppard’s three-pieces on Christopher Bale and Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label on Caine and Preppy style Morgan Freeman.

Please kindly find two official poster for the film.

Release date is July 17th.

Best Regards,

Lau Wai Kei

Please find attached program for this year’s Cannes Film festival.

One is the program for film in competition and the other is out of competition.

Indiana Jones And the Kingdom of Crystals is Out (Yeah) of Competition.

So as the Woody Allen’s new film

After a succession of music films, we have two Sport hero films. One on Maradona and Mike Tyson.

My personal Top Three films for this year:

CHE directed by Steven SODERBERGH

PALERMO SHOOTING (PALERMO SHOOTING) directed by Wim WENDERS

ÜÇ MAYMUN (THREE MONKEYS) directed by Nuri Bilge CEYLAN

Special prize goes to ( a difficult one but my heart goes to the Dardenne Brothers, LE SILENCE DE LORNA (LORNA’S SILENCE) directed by Jean-Pierre et Luc DARDENNE )

Unfortunately, I have to leave out blindness by Fernando Meirelles, Paolo Serrentino’s Il Divo and Atom Egoyan’s Adoration.

Please send me your favourite three and a special prize and I shall organise a small chart.

Place your bet and keep informed.

Thank You.

http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/2008/inCompetition.html

http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/2008/outOfCompetition.html

Ricky Lau

There is an exhibition opening at the Maureen Paley gallery on Tuesday 27th of May.

Works by German photographer Wolfgang Tillman.

Hope to see you all there.

Love,

http://www.maureenpaley.com/

Ricky Lau

Dear all,

I have attached a link to the official trailer of this year Cannes Film Festival official selection – Blindness.

The film is a long awaited cinematic project by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles.

The film is based on the acclaimed novel ‘Blindness‘ by Portuguese author Jose Saramago. It will be a serious Palm d’Or contender after successful work like ‘Constant Gardener‘ & ‘City of God‘.

Enjoy.

Lau Wai Kei