Media

René Burri – UTOPIA
An exhibition of significant Photos of
world-famous international Architects and Architecture

15 May 2013

In association, The University Museum and Art Gallery and Le French May will present the major exhibition UTOPIA of photographer René Burri’s most significant photographs of international architects and their iconic buildings, demonstrating his keen interest in architecture within social and cultural contexts.  Burri’s work is often referred to as «constructive photography», and his portfolio of images are considered one of the greatest collections of 20th century iconography.  UTOPIA features many of these fascinating images, as well as portraits of influential and award-winning architects Oscar Niemeyer (1907–2012) and Le Corbusier (1887–1965).

The University Museum will show 130 photographs in 97 frames spanning some 40 years of the artists distinguished career. The most important architects portrait are Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemeyer, Luis Barragan, Mathias Goeritz and Louis I. Kahn. Their buildings include Le Corbusier's chapel at Ronchamp, Niemeyer's buildings for Brasilia, the new capital city he designed for Brazil, and Kahn's famous Salk Institute in California.

This exhibition is planned in association with Le French May and Magnum Photos and it is generously supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Details of the exhibition as follows:                                                    

Media preview
Date: May 20, 2013 (Monday)                                        
Time: 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Venue: University Museum and Art Gallery, HKU
Speaker: Mr René Burri, Photographer (tbd)
  Dr Florian Knothe, Director, University Museum and Art Gallery.

Opening Ceremony
Date: May 20, 2013 (Monday)                                        
Time : 6:00pm to7:30 pm
Venue: University Museum and Art Gallery, HKU
Guests of honour: Mr Arnaud Barthelemy, French Consul General
   Mr Douglas So HKJC's executive director (charities)
   Dr. Andrew  S. Yuen, Le French May's chairman of the board
   Mr René Burri, Photographer

The Exhibition                                                   
Date: May 21 to August 25, 2013                                                        
Venue: University Museum and Art Gallery, HKU

For media enquiries, please contact Communications and Public Affairs Office:
Assistant Director (Media) Ms Trinni Choy, tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk , or                                       
Manager (Media) Ms Rhea Leung, tel: 2857 8555 / 9022 7446 email: rhea.leung@hku.hk

For details of the Exhibition, please contact:                                             
University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong,  tel 2241 5500

 "Salk Institute for Biological Studies”
Le Jolla, California, USA, 1979
(The work of architect Louis I. Kahn)
In the collection of René Burri / Magnum Photos

“Kunming Lake”
Beijing, China, 1964
In the collection of René Burri / Magnum Photos