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Light as Air, a site-specific public neon installation by neon artist Chankalun, will be displayed at Tai Kwun Parade Ground to celebrate Hong Kong's local heritage while promoting sustainability
La Prairie, the Swiss luxury skincare brand, has recently collaborated with Hong Kong's sole female neon artist, Chankalun, to create a stunning and sustainable art installation titled Light as Air. The installation will be displayed at Tai Kwun Parade Ground in Hong Kong from March 21 to 27, and it aims to celebrate Hong Kong's local heritage while promoting sustainability.
Neon signs, which were once a cultural representation of Hong Kong, are now fading into history and becoming less predominant in the city. As a result, La Prairie's collaboration with Chankalun is a timely and meaningful way to preserve this dying craft while also highlighting the importance of sustainability.
The installation is inspired by the pristine nature of Switzerland's landscape, where La Prairie has its roots. It aims to bring a new light to Hong Kong, the light from Switzerland. The installation is set to be the first interactive neon installation in Hong Kong, drawing inspiration from the instantaneous air quality index of Montreux.
“With Light as Air, I am pushing forward unusual potentials of neon to bring a breath of new air to Hong Kong which is achieved through multimedia interactivity and elements with a sustainable vision being portrayed on a large-scale 3D structure,” says Chankalun (whose real name is Karen Chan), in a press statement.
Above Neon artist, Chankalun (Photo: La Prairie)
Neon artist, Chankalun (Photo: La Prairie)
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At the heart of this collaboration is the focus on sustainability. The installation was produced using upcycled glass from the artist's neon-making process, as well as La Prairie's White Caviar waste materials. This methodology is also at the heart of Chankalun's practice, where she is dedicated to conserving and reusing materials while minimizing waste within her process and studio.
With its lasting impact in mind, the elements of the artwork will be repurposed following the closing of the fair. This approach to sustainability is commendable and sets a standard for other luxury brands to follow.
Above (Photo: La Prairie)
Above (Photo: La Prairie)
(Photo: La Prairie)
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La Prairie's partnership with Art Basel began in 2017, and since then, the brand has remained committed to supporting and empowering women in the arts while nurturing young talents. This collaboration with Chankalun is a beautiful fusion of the world of art with a dying local craft and a compelling sustainable message, both social and environmental.
"La Prairie's support to a female artist working in the field of experimental neon art is of great importance to me. It allows me as an artist to have my voice heard. I am therefore able to provoke some thoughts to the audience while speaking about my creative concept and experimental skills," Chankalun adds.
This partnership brings a new light to the art world and sets an example for other brands to prioritise sustainability in their artistic endeavours.
Andrea Saadan is the Senior Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She oversees all digital content for the website and currently leads the Beauty and Lifestyle verticals. As a child, she had always enjoyed reading and writing but it was only after she joined her college newspaper, The Spectrum, in Buffalo, New York, that she considered a career in journalism. Her love for all things beauty started from the age of two—when she was caught playing with (and damaging) her mother’s YSL lipstick. On top of her day job, she is also an unpaid beauty consultant for friends and family. Besides make-up, her obsessions include the wizarding world of Harry Potter, podcasts, ice-cream, her walking pad and watching endless re-runs of The Office (US).
