The Power of Transformation:
Madame Song
The Power of Transformation:
Madame Song
How did Song Huai-Kuei—famously known as Madame Song—become a cultural icon and notable fashion influencer of her time? At a time when most people adhered to austerity, the legendary figure introduced Pierre Cardin’s vibrant garments and a modern urban lifestyle to Beijing. She was at the centre of a thriving cultural community, facilitating forward-looking exchanges between China and the world on art, music, film, fashion, and popular culture.
In this Opening Talk of the M+ Special Exhibition, Madame Song: Pioneering Art and Fashion in China, we unveil the life of Song and how she was instrumental in shaping visual culture in China. Hear from M+ former Sigg Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs, Pi Li; M+ De Ying Associate Curator, Visual Art Wu Mo; and M+ Associate Curator of Design and Architecture Tanja Cunz, the co-curators of the special exhibition.
This talk, held in Mandarin and English, will be moderated by Cici Xiang, an international model and writer. It will be livestreamed via this page, Facebook, YouTube and Bilibili. Simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin will be available. Click on ‘Register’ to sign up for this free talk. Tickets to the exhibition are available for purchase here.
About the Speakers
Pi Li is the Head of Art at Tai Kwun. He was the former Sigg Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs at M+. He previously served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Art Administration department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), and curated for the Shanghai Biennale in 2002 and Allôrs la Chine at the Centre Pompidou in 2003, among many other exhibitions. Pi earned his PhD in Art History at CAFA.
Portrait of Pi Li. Photo: Tai Ngai Lung. Courtesy of Tai Kwun
Wu Mo is the De Ying Associate Curator, Visual Art at M+. She received her PhD in History of Chinese Art from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her essays have been widely published in periodicals, catalogues, and various art publications, including the Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, The Art Newspaper China, LEAP, Artforum China, Yishu: Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, and Randian.
Portrait of Wu Mo. Photo: Winnie Yeung @ Visual Voices, M+, Hong Kong
Tanja Cunz is the Associate Curator of Design and Architecture at M+. Cunz studied Art History and Media Studies at the Universität Basel and Art History in a Global Context at the Freie Universität Berlin. Simultaneously, she established herself as a curator at the Vitra Design Museum. In 2022, Cunz was selected as one of the finalists for the Hyundai Blue Prize Design award.
Portrait of Tanja Cunz. Photo: Winnie Yeung @ Visual Voices, M+, Hong Kong
About the Moderator
Cici Xiang is an international model and writer. After graduating from the University College London with a degree in Art History, Xiang founded the ‘C for ABC’ art education project in 2019. She has collaborated with major art institutions, galleries, and art fairs to build a bridge between the public and art. She joined the Beijing-based Star Gallery as a partner in November 2021.
Portrait of Cici Xiang. Photo: Kamsen Lau
Related Exhibition
The content of this/these programme(s)/activity(ies) does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Image at top: Song Huai-Kuei in a Pierre Cardin evening dress at Maxim’s Beijing, mid-1980s. Photo: © Yonfan