Le Petit Prince – Le Havre: Solo Exhibition by Steven Choi
Brandora Redaktion - January 2021
2021 marks the 75th anniversary of Le Petit Prince’s original publication in French. A record holder as the most read and most translated literary masterpiece in French literature, this classic novella holds a special place in readers’ hearts. When did you last spend some quality time with Le Petit Prince?
Highly acclaimed by Le Petit Prince’s French licensee, Hongkonger illustrator Steven Choi has made history by becoming the first Chinese to be officially authorized to illustrate a Le Petit Prince Picture Book, as well as the artist in 2020 to create an officially authorized 75th Anniversary special-edition picture book. The first edition of Choi’s book debuted back in July 2019 and was quickly sold out. Building on this remarkable success, Choi predicts that his new special edition will be a worthy sequel, breathing new life into Le Petit Prince’s quest for Rose.
From 29th January to 21st February, Choi will be joining forces with Medialink Group Limited, the Hong Kong licensee, to hold the “Le Petit Prince – Le Havre” exhibition at Gallery by the Harbour in Harbour City. A prelude to Part II of Le Petit Prince, this exhibition will showcase over 30 artworks illustrating the Prince’s everyday life while wandering around the galaxy. Like Le Havre, which offers a soulful refuge, this show illustrates how fruitful and rewarding life can be even with minimal materialistic possessions.
Travelling through the rainforest from B-612 asteroid
trapped in the wilderness from afar,
all premature deaths have become bygone memories,
disappeared in the blowing wind of time,
with no remembrances of the chaos and peace that once happened.
Only in the bay of déjà vu
that in a poem’s time can we
search for what is unforgettable from the origin –
the name of the rose.
- Steven Choi
A brand-new reinterpretation: an unprecedented personification of Rose
This new exhibition showcases artworks from the Le Petit Prince Picture Book 2020 Special Edition, and premiers a brand-new sequel to Le Petit Prince. Choi has blended in various new elements into the classic tale, including personifying the Prince’s most beloved Rose as a fair lady for the first time ever. In their re-encounter, the lovers write on their moving story: Rose left the planet in search of the Prince, and felt profoundly what love is. By becoming an earthling, Rose experienced the best way to understand human emotions. Moreover, the exhibition introduces the sequel’s new characters, such as the adorable little foxes, all of which are an extension of the original imagery and relationships found in the classic.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
- Le Petit Prince
Highly acclaimed by the art world for its metaphoric brushstrokes
In conceptualizing his new creation, Choi expresses the theme that “one must not see with the eye, but with the heart”. Using this theme, his Little Prince always closes his eyes to perceive everything fully with his heart. Many of his artworks also come with metaphors hidden in the drawing, such as changing the Prince’s scarf from the classic yellow to red as he leaves planet B612, which portrays his lingering desire for Rose. In Choi’s drawing, Rose grows in size as her ego does. Every artwork comes with multiple layers of interpretation, which requires viewers to appreciate each work in detail in order to fully understand its rich meaning. Choi’s unique aesthetic has won him international acclaim and multiple awards worldwide. Indeed, his works can be found in numerous world-renowned galleries, including the Louvre Museum, Tate Modern Museum, Centre Pompidou and more.
Exhibition-exclusive collectables – all waiting to be discovered
Fans of Le Petit Prince can’t miss the chance to take photos with a nearly one-metre-tall Le Petit Prince sculpture, or create a heart-warming souvenir with the Le Petit Prince Coin Presser. This is also the perfect opportunity to purchase the 75th Anniversary limited-edition Le Petit Prince Picture Book, and a variety of Le Petit Prince collaboration collectables, including paper art, blind box toys, calendar, tote bag and herbal tea sets, all of which enable you to experience Le Petit Prince’s heartfelt blessings at home.
As the new year unfolds, let us put aside our troubled minds and hearts, and instead find comfort in art and calmness. Let us listen to our inner voice and allow the laughter of our long-forgotten inner child to return once more. In the year ahead, may we all experience growth and love with Le Petit Prince, and cherish the little things in our everyday lives!
“Le Petit Prince – Le Havre” Solo Exhibition by Steven Choi Exhibition Details:
- Date: 29th January – 21st February 2021
- Opening Hours: 11 am – 8 pm
*Actual opening times may change due to the epidemic. For the latest details, please refer to the official Facebook of Medialink (www.facebook.com/medialinkhongkong)
- Venue: Gallery by the Harbour (Shop 207, Level 2, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)