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The Peninsula Tokyo inspires guests to once again appreciate all things pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month this October. The annual Peninsula in Pink campaign, now in its ninth year, champions the fight against breast cancer by raising awareness and funds for local charities that are leading the fight against breast cancer and providing much-needed care for patients. For the second year, The Art of Pink theme sees the hotels partnering with artists who share, through specially commissioned work, their point of view on the fight against breast cancer. This year, we are proud to bring our collaboration with China’s most celebrated avant-garde photographer and multimedia artist, Chen Man (photo below), to a worldwide audience.
On this occasion, the artist is presenting “Nao Nao” (挠挠), an exclusively commissioned series of art pieces that will be installed at ten Peninsula destinations around the world. Both exciting and intimate, the collection draws the sensual photographs that have cemented Chen Man’s style and success, reconcepted with a subtle feminine theme in reference to the Peninsula in Pink breast cancer initiative. The artist’s lauded photographs are brought together for the first time on such a grand, international scale, and offer a unique opportunity for guests and visitors at each hotel to personally interact with the art in a novel way.
The photograph will be covered by two pink dots (photo below) – symbols of breasts and the colon, punctuation that precedes a conversation. In a nod to The Peninsula Hotels’ focus on China this year, visitors will use traditional “Nao Nao” bamboo sticks to gently scrape the dots and slowly unveil the image behind.
Chen’s inspiration for this installation stems from the Beijing of her childhood, where feelings and emotions were not shared publicly, and the selfless act of scratching a loved one’s back could best convey feelings of sympathy and understanding. Through this art and the unspoken, yet very physical interaction with it, the artist hopes that removal of the punctuation will open up a dialogue about breast cancer and bring awareness to the cause.
Chen commented on her approach: “With this collection, I wished to celebrate distinctive interpretations of beauty and power, while at the same time evoking dialogue about a subject that is often deemed taboo”.
Chen’s unique visual language combines traditional Chinese philosophy with photography, graphic design, cinematography and digital art, and revolutionized fashion photography in China, earning her multiple international awards. Her works were exhibited around the world including in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong. Chen’s "The Astronaut" is part of the permanent collection at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in the UK, and two pieces from the ’Four Seasons’ and ‘Long Live the Motherland’ series were recently added to the permanent collection at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
Between 2003 and 2007, during her phase producing cover shoots for Vision magazine, the artist developed a brand new "Chen Man Style" of visual expression, which marked the beginning of her creative works. The powerful visual language attracted immediate attention throughout the fashion magazine industry, and inspired a great number of fashion photographers in China and abroad. Chen’s collaboration with world leading magazines, including Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, L’Officiel, Wallpaper, i-D, Muse, etc. began thereafter, growing stronger over the years. Her studio, Studio 6, which has created ads for brands including L'Oréal, Dior, Canon, Mercedes-Benz and Adidas, will also contribute to this year’s Peninsula in Pink campaign.
The Peninsula Hotels’ collaboration with Chen builds on the 2015 Peninsula in Pink campaign at The Peninsula Shanghai, where the artist presented the "Touch Me… Take Care of Me" video and documentary photography installation, which featured an interactive time-lapse photo shoot.
In a show of solidarity with cancer survivors and their families, and underscoring the architect’s vision of a Japanese lantern when lit at night, The Peninsula Tokyo becomes a shining pink beacon, when all sides of its soaring 100-meter exterior are illuminated in pink. All staff members wear a specially commissioned pink ribbon pin, and the hotel’s floral designs sport rosy hues as well. Guests will also enjoy specially designed pink-themed welcome amenities, dining and spa promotions, and pink ribbon pins will be on sale to raise added funds for the selected breast cancer foundations.
The Pink Afternoon Tea is a popular highlight of every Peninsula in Pink campaign. Throughout October, diners in The Lobby can share a creatively themed Pink Peninsula Afternoon Tea featuring sweet and savoury delicacies that creatively adapt Chen's custom art concept in whimsical fashion. Additionally, restaurants will serve a pink Chen Man-inspired dessert to promote the Peninsula in Pink campaign and raise funds for charity. Bespoke Pretty in Pink packages at The Peninsula Spa provide relaxation and indulgence for a good cause. From each promotion, 500 yen will be donated equally to the Japan Breast Cancer Screening Society and Keep A Breast Japan.
The creative theming of the annual Peninsula in Pink campaign is designed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer charities in the hotels’ local communities. In its first five years, the Peninsula in Pink campaign has raised over $833,515. A dedicated webpage, www.peninsula.com/pink, will be launched in late September featuring information on all Peninsula in Pink initiatives, including the campaign’s history, featured hotel activities, and more on the collaboration with Chen Man.
© Japan Today
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