Artist Talk: Friday, Apr 24, 7 - 9 pm

Harvey Nichols Hong Kong and Gallery EXIT are joining forces to present Red Shoes – Dark Beauty, a collage collaboration between Tokyo-based artist Aya Shindo and Hong Kong-based photographer, Harry C.

Shindo's work has previously revolved around the theme of Japanese rope bondage and fetish fashion. In her work, the imagery of bondage, of tying-up resonates with the idea of love, which is always a desire for liberation and happiness. This collaboration is a continuation of such ideas. Taking as their departure point, the fetishistic object of a pair of ballet slippers and the feet of a young lady, Aya Shindo and Harry C set out to capture a fragile beauty that prompts dreaming. It is a contemporary remaking of the Red Shoes from the mid-19th century Andersen Fairy Tales. (http://www.bartleby.com/17/3/14.html)

The little girl that is obsessed with the red shoes is now a pole dancer. She is obliged to unceasingly dance through the dark night until her feet is cut off. Her desire to possess the beauty of those red shoes, in return, takes control of her. The fetishistic is magical, and beauty that possess is dark. Shindo and Harry C chose to be guided by their hands: to cut, slice and burn handmade photographs; to draw, paint and combine them onto paper. Their hands are attracted to speak a beauty that will lead them on through the dark.

Aya Shindo is an artist drawing unique worlds with a distinctive use of color. Shindo spent her childhood in the suburbia of Vienna, Austria. While growing up, she was taught how to paint by her father, who is also an artist. In addition to traditional media, she further expanded her creative involvement within magazines, CD covers and textile.

Harry C is a highly regarded contemporary photographer who has been working for more than 10 years exploring the boundaries of fashion photography. He opened his first studio in Hong Kong in 1998 and in 2000 joined one of the leading agencies – Cube Management Office, Japan.