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Swire Properties today unveiled the new ArtisTree at Taikoo Place, a dynamic and flexible 7,000 sq ft space dedicated to showcasing unique arts and culture programmes. With a focus on the performing arts, the new ArtisTree hopes to foster the emergence of new art forms and host a diverse range of original works by international and local artists, as well as to present original and creative productions that have never been staged in Asia or Hong Kong.
The opening ceremony today was officiated by Ms Florence Hui, SBS, JP, Under Secretary for Home Affairs, HKSAR and Mr Don Taylor, Director, Office at Swire Properties. Arts and culture lovers enjoyed an exclusive VIP performance of the specially commissioned piece "ContempoLion" - a new, original dance and multi-media production by acclaimed Hong Kong choreographer Daniel Yeung that reinterprets traditional lion dance.
Originally located at Cornwall House, ArtisTree has now relocated to Cambridge House and has been upgraded to include professional theatre-standard stage lighting and audio-visual technologies. An integral part of the HK$15 billion Taikoo Place redevelopment, ArtisTree is a lifestyle offering that aims to make arts and culture more accessible to everyone.
Don Taylor, Director, Office at Swire Properties said: "With the launch of the new ArtisTree, we can host a wider range of original and creative productions, by world-class local and overseas artists. ArtisTree not only brings an unprecedented level of arts and culture to Taikoo Place, it is set to further enhance the city's position in these areas, on the world stage. Swire Properties is dedicated to creating value for the communities in which it operates, and ArtisTree is a great example of how we've set the bar in terms of what a commercial hub can offer tenants, the wider community and the city's residents."
To celebrate the launch of the new ArtisTree, the event space will host productions by local and international artists for one month, including: "ContempoLion", "La Traviata", "Folk" and "Animatorium". What's more, to nurture local talent, Swire Properties will also offer masterclasses for aspiring performers. This is a rare opportunity to be coached by award-winning choreographer Caroline Finn, and for opera-buffs to witness award-winning opera director Nic Muni at work while he coaches professional singers.
Following the opening-season programmes, ArtisTree has a host of dance, music and visual arts programmes lined up throughout the year. Programmes include:
 | Don Taylor, Director, Office at Swire Properties, officially unveils the new ArtisTree at Taikoo Place. |
 | Florence Hui, SBS, JP, Under Secretary for Home Affairs, HKSAR officiates the launch of the new ArtisTree in Cambridge House at Taikoo Place - a multi-purpose venue designed as a platform for the emergence of new art forms and a diverse range of original works. |
 | From left to right: Frank Leung, Founder & Principal, via. Architecture Limited; Kearen Pang, acclaimed cross-media creator, film director and theatre actress ; Florence Hui, SBS, JP, Under Secretary for Home Affairs, HKSAR; Don Taylor, Director, Office of Swire Properties; Dora Ng, Chief Costume Designer of "ContempoLion"; and Daniel Yeung, Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer of "ContempoLion", celebrate the opening of the new ArtisTree at Taikoo Place. |
 | Officiating guests including Don Taylor, Director, Office at Swire Properties (third from right), and Florence Hui, SBS, JP, Under Secretary for Home Affairs, HKSAR (third from left) toast to ArtisTree's success. |
 | Daniel Yeung, Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer of "ContempoLion", was joined by Kearen Pang, acclaimed cross-media creator, film director and theatre actress. |
 | The new ArtisTree is located at Cambridge House in Taikoo Place, and is a dynamic and flexible 7,000 sq ft space dedicated to showcasing unique arts and culture programmes. |
   | Acclaimed Hong Kong choreographer Daniel Yeung was specially commissioned by Swire Properties to create "ContempoLion", an original contemporary dance and multi-media work based on the lion dance tradition. |
 | Produced by More Than Musical, a new non-profit opera company based in Hong Kong, "La Traviata" invites audiences to experience a 90-minute adaptation of the Italian opera classic. |
 | The internationally-acclaimed National Dance Company Wales will premiere for the first time in Asia two recent works, "Animatorium" and "Folk", which were both developed by Artistic Director Caroline Finn. |
For more information on Taikoo Place and ArtisTree, visit www.taikooplace.com. Follow Taikoo Place at www.facebook.com/taikooplacehk.
About Swire Properties
Swire Properties develops and manages commercial, retail, hotel and residential properties, with a focus on mixed-use developments in prime locations at major mass transportation intersections. Swire's investment portfolio in Hong Kong comprises Taikoo Place, Cityplaza and Pacific Place as well as investments in Mainland China, the US and Singapore.
About Taikoo Place
Taikoo Place is recognised as one of Hong Kong's best-planned business hubs, managed by Swire Properties. The portfolio offers over 5 million sq ft of prime commercial space for local and multinational corporations. A wide range of cosmopolitan business and leisure amenities are situated within the area, including TAIKOO PLACE APARTMENTS, the multi-purpose venue ArtisTree, the co-working hub blueprint, the landscaped garden Taikoo Park, and restaurants and cafes. Within five-minute walking distance are the shopping mall Cityplaza and the lifestyle business hotel EAST, Hong Kong. www.taikooplace.com
About ArtisTree
As a keen supporter of arts and culture, Swire Properties introduced ArtisTree, a unique venue for visual and performing arts, to Taikoo Place in 2008, to make diverse arts and cultural events accessible to local communities. Since its launch, ArtisTree has made a significant contribution to Hong Kong's arts scene, with landmark events including the inaugural Vivienne Westwood A Life in Fashion exhibition, The World of Tim Burton, Outside the Box | Frank Gehry exhibition and Building M+: The Museum and Architecture Collection and ZAHA HADID: There Should Be No End To Experimentation. To facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of Taikoo Place, ArtisTree relocated to Cambridge House in June 2017. The new ArtisTree has been upgraded into a flexible 7,000-sq-ft dynamic space completed with professional theatre-standard stage lighting and audio-visual technologies to accommodate more diverse programmes of creative arts.