Red Hong Yi Does Digital Art
HONOR’s “Artology”: Explore Art & Technology with Youth
The Huawei Group smartphone e-brand HONOR is making its way into the art world in style. The company has partnered with Red Hong Yi, a Shanghai-based artist recently listed by Sotheby’s Institute as 11 Art World Entrepreneurs of 2018 and one of the Top Female Asian Artists by the Artling. For her partnership with HONOR the artist will present an exclusive work comprised of approximately 2000 pieces of recycled glass backs from HONOR's flagship collection. The piece, titled “Aurora”, will make its appearance at H Queen’s on 11th of December.
“I am very honoured to be entrusted with a project of this scale. When I first saw the smartphone glass back, I was captivated by the array of hues that bounced off the surface. It reminds me of the aurora borealis phenomenon. Honor has invested heavily into its design and it is the unique quality of this material that allowed us to create this giant chandelier, inspired by the aurora. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to create modern art that uses cutting edge technology,” commented Red Hong Yi.
Known for using bulk materials to create art installations, Red has already collaborated with names such as Facebook, Gucci and Mandarin Oriental as well as was featured in the JP Morgan Chase commercial and created a Google Doodle for Malaysia Independence Day. Creativity in the use of media flows through every project. For Facebook, the artist used 15,000 chopsticks to create a mural on the 10m long wall in their Singapore office; while with Gucci it has been a selection of dried flowers and leaves that were used as tools to create a Tian-inspired image of a bird with a blossom next to it.
Launched 5 years ago with the mission to “meet the needs of digital natives”, HONOR has been embracing the creativity of its millennial audience. Earlier in the year they launched a global campaign that featured Clara Bacou, a UK-based digital artist (Reel Here). With the upcoming Artology show and also their collaboration with National Geographic and photographer Robbie Shone it is exciting to see what future initiatives will the company undertake.
The choice of premises to host the show comes also as no surprise. Having launched just over a year ago, H Queen’s has already become Hong Kong’s hub for worlds leading galleries including Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery and Seoul Auction house SA+ among others. For Red this will be another notable presence following her exhibitions at the World Economic Forum, Design Miami and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Meanwhile for HONOR, Artology marks a first physical presence at a leading art venue. It may mark one of many company’s involvements within the art market while positioning itself at the confluence of art and technology.
All Images Courtesy of the Artist and HONOR