The Peninsula Hong Kong celebrates “Art in Resonance” with The Victoria Albert Museum and Vogue100
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To kick off Art Basel Hong Kong, The Peninsula hosted a magnificent party in celebration of the 2025 iteration of its acclaimed “Art in Resonance” program. In partnership with the Victoria Albert Museum and Vogue100, the hotel welcomed luminaries from around the world for a night full of inspiration, creativity, and music. At the heart of the evening were three of the world’s most promising artists: Phoebe Hui, Chris Cheung (known as h0nh1m), and Lin Fanglu.
Suspended before the hotel’s facade, Phoebe Hui’s Lunar Rainbow mesmerized arriving guests with its surreal allure. The enormous installation, by far the artist’s largest to date, features digitally printed aluminum panels adorned with fragmented lunar imagery from 17th-century drawings to contemporary open-source photographs. A complex lighting apparatus mirrors a moonbeam, the rare natural phenomenon, and invites reflection on the lunar inspiration throughout the ages.
Crowds of photographers gathered as attendees entered past a fleet of vintage Rolls Royce Phantoms into the historic lobby. There, beneath the vaulted ceilings and ornate cornicing, more than 500 revelers enjoyed the splendor that has made The Peninsula—the “Grande Dame of the Far East”—for nearly a century. The institution ranks alongside The Plaza in New York, The Ritz in Paris, and Claridge’s in London for its history and grandeur. Seeming to rise from the marble floor, Lin Fanglu’s “She Bestowed Love” stunned with its energy and color. Fanglu used red textiles to symbolize Gaia, the Greek mother goddess. As with Hui’s work outside, spectators lingered to take in the visual majesty.
Up the grand double stairs from where the party surged, a third immersive installation awaited visitors: The Flow Pavilion by h0nh1m. The one-way glass structure, which the artist modeled to resemble a modern tea house, displayed intricate patterns on the carpet of his own brain waves during meditation.
Established in 2019 and co-created by Bettina Prentice, “Art in Resonance” shines a light on important emerging artists through funding and curatorial support for the creation of significant public artworks. The selection, assembly, and presentation of these works stand as a centerpiece of Hong Kong’s cultural calendar.
Amid the glittering spectacle and sophistication, geopolitical uncertainties lingered. In the days and weeks leading up to the event, headlines had been dominated by escalating tensions between China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Benjamin Vuchot—the new Chief Executive Officer of The Hongkong Shanghai Hotels, Limited, owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels— took to the stage to speak to the importance of the program in times like these.
“In a world that can be chaotic and divisive, art unites us all with a common experience,” Vuchot said. “Art inspires us, awakens our senses, and offers respite from our everyday lives. In this respect, I believe the world of luxury hospitality and the world of art truly complement each other.”
After cocktails, Leslie Sun, Editorial Director of Vogue’s Asia-Pacific Region, and Dr. Melissa Buron joined Vuchot to host an intimate dinner at Felix. With its panoramic views of the skyline and interiors designed by Philippe Starck, the restaurant contrasted the decadence of downstairs with its gleaming modernity.
After the first of five courses in a feast curated by Chef Aurélie Altemaire arrived on the black tables, Dr. Melissa Buron addressed the illustrious lineage of cross-cultural collaboration from which the evening came.
“The V&A has long been a supporter of Chinese art and creativity,” Buron said. “ In fact, from our inception in the 1850s, we were collecting Chinese art. I am proud to say this tradition continues today, with our newest acquisition to join 2.2 million objects in the collection of Lin Fanglu’s new installation, which will travel to South Kensington this fall.”
As she took the stage, Sun gleamed in jewels by Pen Mané, a line launched days before by Calvin Wang and Vincent Guy-Raffin.
“Art Basel began 55 years ago in Switzerland,” Sun said. “Since then, it has grown into a global phenomenon, with editions in Miami, Paris, and of course, here in Hong Kong. Each fair reflects the unique spirit of its city, and I hope you can feel the vibrant energy and excitement of Hong Kong tonight.”
One more surprise remained: Royal Opera soprano Alexandra Lowe delivered a transcendent performance that enraptured the audience, which leapt to their feet in applause after she reached her final, awesome crescendo.
The elegant group—including Kimberly Drew, Tina Leung, Ivan Pun, Fumi Lee, Anjaylia Chan, and other stars of the social and cultural scene—laughed and mused late into the night as the lights of Victoria Harbor glittered.