INFINI-TEA IN COLLABORATION WITH RICHARD

X. ZAWITZ

SAT 21 MAR 2020 - SAT 20 JUN 2020

POPINJAYS. THE MURRAY, HONG KONG, A NICCOLO HOTEL

A reflection of life – a journey that is never a straight line. Since the very first afternoon tea menu since his appointment as Chef de Cuisine, talented Chef Alexandre Viriot presents equally delightful gastronomic art to pair with the signature Infinity collection by renowned sculptor Richard X. Zawitz.

The limited-time pleasure Infini-Tea Set at Popinjays presents an innovative plunge into the dining scene – where delicate afternoon tea items are masterfully plated on Richard’s celebrated sculpture pieces.

The limited-time pleasure Infini-Tea Set at Popinjays presents an innovative plunge into the dining scene

Popinjays joins hands with international sculptor Richard X. Zawitz to present Infini-Tea, a limited-time afternoon tea inspired by Richard’s world-renowned Infinity sculpture collection.

Signified by curves and bulbous shapes, the Infinity collection is a reflection of life – a journey that is never a straight line. From monumental sculptures to a lauded debut in the fashion world, and the highly anticipated launch of Infini-Tea at Popinjays, the signature Infinity collection of Richard has proven to be of infinite versatility.

An innovative plunge into the dining scene, Infini-Tea at Popinjays delivers the multiplied pleasures of gourmet food and art viewing as some key iconic pieces from the Infinity sculpture collection, including Alien DNA – Red Bump Series X-1, Alpha Infinity Seat Sculpture and Infinity X482, will be showcased in the restaurant.

The Rotunda, Exchange Square

25th Oct to 10th 2016

“My art is more at home in Asia than it is in America,” he says. “There’s more sensitivity towards it here [and] I have a very nice environmental relationship with Hong Kong.” Aside from challenging people’s perceptions, Zawitz hopes that audiences can simply enjoy the art and be inspired.

“I really hope I can provoke, inspire, compel and initiate feelings of creativity,”

Richard X Zawitz will be launching his most ambitious, dynamic and inspirational solo exhibition to date. The unprecedented sculptural Installation will present an Exceptionally innovative combination of art and science, to explore human civilization through the lens of our primate ancestors.

Richard X Zawitz explains, “I wish to immerse the audience on an artistic adventure that invites them to think about what it means to be human, why we are here, to speculate on the human drama as it unfolds in many dimensions. I hope that these vividly rendered sculptures will provoke and inspire all of us to feel, and be more creative. I believe this compelling energy alone will instill positivity onto our exquisite planet. Only then, will we get closer to finding the truth about why are we here?”

“This is more than just an exhibition,” says Zawitz. “This is going to be a sculptural play. Each of the figures represents something very important in civilisation.” With monkey heads and bodies shaped in the form of Zawitz’s signature curves, each of his new creations references significant historical, cultural and scientific archetypes, ranging from female beauty and commerce to sport and creativity, to list but a few.

Having grown up in 1950s America, art education was lacking for Zawitz. But then along came the 60s and the hippie movement, which allowed him to discover his creative side. “I’m in the first wave of the baby boomers,” he says. “By 1966, I was already tuned in, turned on and dropped out.” Around the same time, Zawitz was introduced to the philosophy and works of Chinese Taoist master Chan Wing-tsit. He was inspired and discovered an inner urge to create. “With a hammer and chisel of all things,” the artist exclaims. “It was always going to be sculpture.

For all his talk of toughness, Zawitz is also the inventor of a sinuous style called curvism. “Curvism is an object that curves, but from a creative point of view,” he says, “Even from my very earliest sculpture, I found myself making bulbous, rounded shapes and shapes that curve.” As a creative, Zawitz believes in inspiring audiences to re-evaluate their worldviews, particularly with this new show. “I want to get people thinking about why they’re here and to be more compassionate,” he says. “We are here to be creative, not destructive,” he adds. Initially, Zawitz struggled to tie the theme, the monkeys and the venue together while ‘amusing all the jaded people of Hong Kong’. After decades of creating art, Zawitz shows no signs of stopping and is always looking to create bigger and better sculptures. “It’s so rewarding to make giant things,” he remarks. “I love making giant things!”

Zawitz is particularly excited to showcase his new sculptures here in Hong Kong, a city’s he’s been closely involved with for the past 20 years. So much so, he has even set up a studio in Wong Chuk Hang. “My art is more at home in Asia than it is in America,” he says. “There’s more sensitivity towards it here [and] I have a very nice environmental relationship with Hong Kong.” Aside from challenging people’s perceptions, Zawitz hopes that audiences can simply enjoy the art and be inspired. “I really hope I can provoke, inspire, compel and initiate feelings of creativity,” he tells us. “I want to have people walk away and say ‘wow’.

My goal as a creative is to project more creativity to the world. I want to change the course of history with creativity.” He also encourages viewers to touch the art and fully experience his work.

Richard X is created a new series of works for the Colette exhibition that coincided with Fashion Week in Paris.

The artist innovation in four dimensions employing his Curvist Movement discovery will continue his series of works in steel and mixed media. These works will be in a “Colorist” mode. The artist has expressed a new and innovative modality in these works.