For Immediate Release Lisa Roet s Golden Monkey Takes Over The Opposite House for Beijing Design Week Larger-than-Life Sculpture Shares Timely Message of Conservation (Beijing, 24 August 2016) - To celebrate Beijing Design Week and Golden Week with a creative flair, The Opposite House collaborates with acclaimed Australian artist Lisa Roet to install a giant inflatable sculpture of a golden snub-nosed monkey on its iconic façade in the vibrant Sanlitun art and commercial district. Entitled Golden Monkey, the sculpture measures 14 metres tall and will be displayed from 22 September to 30 October. Elevated 30 metres off the ground, it will hang from the front of the hotel s green geometric façade as though it is climbing the hotel building and looking down on passers-by. The sculpture is styled after the golden sneezing snub-nosed monkey, a rare species native to the forest region along the China-Myanmar border, with only about 400 left as a result of aggressive hunting and habitat destruction. It is also the same species that the famous mythological Monkey King Sun Wukong from the Chinese epic Journey to the West is popularly styled after. In additional to its cultural significance, the sculpture carries a global message about conservation. The snub-nosed monkey is now critically endangered due to heavy logging, dwindling habitats and human consumption. It is also named for its distinctive flat nose, the product of thousands of years of evolution. The shape of its nose helps it survive in cold climates by catching melting frost, and also causes it to sneeze in rainy weather. With temperatures rising around the world at a rapid pace, it may be forced out of its natural habitat to seek more suitable climates, placing the entire species at risk. The fragility of the inflatable sculpture represents the vulnerability of this treasured mascot, while the urban surroundings of Sanlitun draw a strong contrast to its woodland habitat in Yunnan, expressing its displacement from its natural home. Roet s work will be featured both outside and inside The Opposite House, with a collection of
her avant-garde jewellery displayed in the hotel foyer. Fashioned after primate features, each exquisitely detailed piece matches with the wearer s human features to create a visual expression of the close connection between humans and apes. The Opposite House is known for its brand philosophy of presenting cutting-edge art to its community, and we are lucky to receive huge support from the hotel to bring this project to fruition. Through my work, I want to empower the ape or monkey with whom we share in excess of 98% of our DNA, and invite humans to connect with these relatives and reflect on who we are, said Roet. Roet, a Melbourne native, has spent the past 25 years working with the image of the ape and monkey to express her lifelong passion for the science of genetic evolution. She has been represented by galleries in Australia, Belgium and the USA, and has held over 25 solo exhibitions worldwide. In recent years she has made her mark in China s art scene, featuring at prestigious events such as the Shanghai Biennale and Chengdu Biennale, and collaborating with local artist Shen Shaomin. We felt Lisa Roet s sculpture was the perfect way to celebrate Beijing Design Week and Golden Week, as it is light-hearted yet culturally significant. Its deeper message on conserving the environment and China s precious natural heritage is also something we at The Opposite House hold close to our hearts, said Mark Passmore, general manager, The Opposite House. This activity is supported by Hong Kong s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways. The sculpture and jewellery collection will be transported by Cathy Pacific Airways between Melbourne and Beijing. We are delighted to be involved as we believe the show will increase people s awareness to the importance of environmental protection, said Cathay Pacific General Manager China Titus Diu. As a responsible carrier, we take all matters of an environmental nature very seriously and are committed to sustainable development. Cathay Pacific will continue to support worthy initiatives such as this going forward. Since opening in 2008, The Opposite House has gained a reputation as a strong supporter of the local and international art scene, playing host to a number of acclaimed exhibitions and installations, including works by Li Yan, Michael Downs, Zha Songgang, Shi Zhongying, Sen
Ye and more. The Opposite House was also the official hotel partner for Art Beijing in 2016 and 2015. -Ends- About The Opposite House The Opposite House is located in Taikoo Li Sanlitun a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. The hotel s 99 guest studios include 9 spacious suites and a penthouse duplex with a 240sqm roof terrace. More than half of all the studios are over 70sqm and all are strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor. For further information or high resolution images please contact: Lia Tjahjodihardjo Communications Manager The Opposite House Tel: +8610 6417 6688 liatjahjodihardjo@swirehotels.com About Swire Hotels and Swire Restaurants Swire Hotels has been created to manage soulfully individual hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the USA, providing a characterful experience for well travelled individually minded travellers who seek originality, style and personalised service. We create distinctive hotels with a sense of place that break with convention. The company s first hotel, The Opposite House in Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by The Upper House, Hong Kong, and then by EAST, Hong Kong and EAST, Beijing. The Temple House in Chengdu is opened in July 2015 and EAST, Miami will open in 2016. A restaurant division was set up in 2013 to manage the company s stand-alone restaurant operations. Our first restaurant Plat du Jour opened in November 2013 followed by Public and Ground Public in Quarry Bay. The Continental in Pacific Place opened in October 2014 and Mr & Mrs Fox in Taikoo Place in 2015. Our latest addition, the second Plat du Jour opened in Pacific Place in January 2016. About Taikoo Li Sanlitun Taikoo Li Sanlitun, located at the center of Sanlitun, Chaoyang District in Beijing, comprising two sites Taikoo Li Sanlitun South and North, with a total floor area of over 136,000 sq m (approximately 1,47 million sq ft) * spreading over 19 creative and stylish buildings, including an award-winning urban hotel, The Opposite House.
Taikoo Li Sanlitun was Swire Properties first commercial property to open for business in the Mainland China in 2008, blending with fashion and trends, art and culture, shopping and dining. As the iconic fashion destination in Beijing, Taikoo Li Sanlitun offers more than 200 shops, combining the most creative young talents and globally renowned fashion brands, including I.T Beijing Market global flagship store, Miu Miu Asia flagship store, Alexander Wang Asia first flagship store, Alexander McQueen first store in China, Paul Smith first flagship store in Beijing, Christian Louboutin first boutique store in Beijing, Balenciaga Beijing flagship store, Montblanc global flagship store, Hollister biggest boutique store in Beijing, Asia s first Page One & The Woodhouse concept store, Marimekko first store in Beijing, Marc by Marc Jacobs concept store, Taiwanese fashion brand stayreal s first store in Beijing, adidas global brand centre, Apple s first store in China as well as a unique cultural entertainment space, The Orange, and parking for more than 880 cars. The retail portions of Taikoo Li Sanlitun and The Opposite House are both wholly owned by Swire Properties. Visit Taikoo Li Sanlitun s website at www.taikoolisanlitun.com. * Gross floor area excludes car park areas. For media inquiries, please contact: CatchOn Marketing Communications Ingrid Yan Tel: +86 139 1794 8357 Email: ingrid.yan@catchonco.com
Golden Monkey at The Opposite House, 22 September to 30 October 2016