Aya Shindo x Harry C
“Red Shoes – Dark Beauty” Art Exhibition

Opening Cocktail: Thursday, April 23, 6:30 – 8 pm
Location: 3rd Floor, Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong
Exhibition Period at Harvey Nichols: April 23 – May 8, 2009
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am – 9 pm; Sunday 10am – 7 pm

Artist Talk: Friday, April 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Gallery EXIT, G/F, 1 Shin Hing Street, Central, Hong Kong
Exhibition Period at Gallery EXIT: April 23 – May 8, 2009
Gallery opening hours: Monday - Saturday 11am – 7 pm
Website: www.galleryexit.com

Harvey Nichols Hong Kong and Gallery EXIT are joining forces to present Red Shoes – Dark Beauty, a collage collaboration between Tokyo-based artist Aya Shindo and Hong Kong-based photographer, Harry C.

Shindo's work has previously revolved around the theme of Japanese rope bondage and fetish fashion. In her work, the imagery of bondage, of tying-up resonates with the idea of love, which is always a desire for liberation and happiness. This collaboration is a continuation of such ideas. Taking as their departure point, the fetishistic object of a pair of ballet slippers and the feet of a young lady, Aya Shindo and Harry C set out to capture a fragile beauty that prompts dreaming. It is a contemporary remaking of the Red Shoes from the mid-19th century Andersen Fairy Tales. (http://www.bartleby.com/17/3/14.html)

The little girl that is obsessed with the red shoes is now a pole dancer. She is obliged to unceasingly dance through the dark night until her feet is cut off. Her desire to possess the beauty of those red shoes, in return, takes control of her. The fetishistic is magical, and beauty that possess is dark. Shindo and Harry C chose to be guided by their hands: to cut, slice and burn handmade photographs; to draw, paint and combine them onto paper. Their hands are attracted to speak a beauty that will lead them on through the dark.

Aya Shindo is an artist drawing unique worlds with a distinctive use of color. Shindo spent her childhood in the suburbia of Vienna, Austria. While growing up, she was taught how to paint by her father, who is also an artist. In addition to traditional media, she further expanded her creative involvement within magazines, CD covers and textile.

Harry C is a highly regarded contemporary photographer who has been working for more than 10 years exploring the boundaries of fashion photography. He opened his first studio in Hong Kong in 1998 and in 2000 joined one of the leading agencies – Cube Management Office, Japan.

Aya Shindo and Harry C will be present at the opening cocktail and artist talk.

For more information and images, please contact:

Gallery EXIT
Doris Wong
2541 1299
info@galleryexit.com

Harvey Nichols Hong Kong
Karen Chan/ Charlene Wu
2301 0737/ 2301 0316
Karen_chan@harveynichols.com.hk
charlene_wu@harveynichols.com.hk