To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of superstar Anita Mui, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) will present the exhibition "Timeless Diva: Anita Mui" starting tomorrow (December 24) which showcases 70 sets of exhibits in relation to Mui including record covers, stage costumes, movie posters and film stills, and pop culture products such as collectable cards and TV magazines. Admission to the exhibition is free. Members of the public are welcome to visit to reminisce about the superstar's extraordinary achievements in music and film as well as review her significant contributions to the development of Hong Kong's pop culture. The HKHM extends special thanks to a close friend of Mui and prominent fashion and image designer, Mr Eddie Lau, for his generous donation of 20 sets of exhibits including eight stage costumes worn by Mui in different periods, which were donated in the early years, as well as the recently donated trophies and an autographed vinyl record by Mui.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (December 23), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu, said that Mui led the development of local pop music and film to new heights as a superstar and a classic icon of Hong Kong's pop culture. The exhibition enables visitors to revisit Mui's ever-changing onstage roles, while looking back at her extraordinary artistic achievements in the music and film industry, and brilliant contributions to Hong Kong's pop culture.
Other officiating guests included Mr Lau; the President of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild, Mr Louis Koo; the Chairperson of the History Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Joshua Mok; the Chairperson of the Art Form Sub-committee (Music) of the Programme and Development Committee, Professor Johnny Poon; and the Museum Director of the HKHM, Mr Brian Lam.
Mui (1963-2003) made her debut at a singing contest in 1982. With her unique voice and solid singing skills, she found a place deep in people's hearts. Her unconventional music style and versatile image not only made her a spotlight of Hong Kong's music scene, but also took Cantopop to new heights and set a new benchmark for concerts. On the silver screen, she played one classic character after another with her unique personal charm and sophisticated acting skills. She had acted in a number of thrilling movies. Among them, the movie "Rogue" (1988) earned her "Best Actress" honours at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Golden Horse Awards and Asia-Pacific Film Festival, and was a major part of the heyday of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. Having become a living legend, Mui was always a shining icon of Hong Kong's pop culture on the international stage. Time certainly flies, but the trendsetting "Ever-changing Diva" continues to influence people across the generations with her timeless works.
Highlight exhibits include the trophy Mui won for the TBS Award of The 12th Tokyo Music Festival, which is on display for the first time; the trophy for the Timeless Artistic Achievement Award of The 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards; an autographed vinyl record of "Fair Lady" by Mui; stage costume worn by Mui for the role of "Evil Girl" at "Anita Mui in Concert" in 1987-1988; the extravagant evening gown she wore at the grand finale of the last show of "Anita Mui Fantasy Gig" in 2002, and a series of movie posters and a black-and-white sketches of "Rouge". Videos of Mui's ever-changing personas in music and movies and radio interviews in the 1980s and 1990s are also featured at the exhibition, through which visitors can learn more about stories and achievements of this superstar.
December 30 would be the 60th birthday of Mui. The HKHM will specially arrange a movie screening of "Rouge" at 11am at the Theatre on 1/F, and a thematic talk at 3pm on the day. To complement the exhibition, a series of talks as well as busking performances will be organised by the HKHM between January and May 2024. Meanwhile, a vintage bus with special design of Mui will be parked and stationed at the carpark of the HKHM for visitors to take photos on December 30 and 31, and on January 1, 13 and 14, 2024.
The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and organised by the HKHM. It will run from December 24 to September 2, 2024 at the HKHM (1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin). The opening hours of the HKHM will be specially extended to 7pm tomorrow. For details of the exhibition, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/exhibitions/data/anitamui2023.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.
The exhibition is one of the programmes organised by the LCSD and aims to tie in with the Government's new initiatives in promoting Hong Kong pop culture through a wide range of activities, ranging from pop concerts and performances to thematic exhibitions, film screenings, outdoor and outreach activities, showcasing Hong Kong's unique cultural creativity and vibrancy. For more information on upcoming events on Hong Kong pop culture, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.
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