French artist JR creates his first “GIANTS” monumental artwork in Asia during the Hong Kong Arts Month
JR “GIANTS: Rising Up” Public Art Installation @Harbour City
VII Edition of the week of Italian Cuisine in South Korea 14 - 20 November 2022
2022 Humanitarian Awards Produced By Be Great! Will Create Impact By Honoring Philanthropists Through Social Impact
Celebrate Glamour and Opulence this Autumn Join Us for Festivities Offers of The Venetian Macao 15th Anniversary
The sixth Edinburgh International Culture Summit has now closed
GALLERIA BORGHESE | Titian: Dialogues of Nature and Love | 14.06 – 18.09.2022
FRIDA KAHLO, THE LIFE OF AN ICON : OPENS JUNE 10 @ ARSENAL CONTEMPORARY ART MONTREAL
Legendary photo agency Magnum Photos to partner with the BERLIN PHOTO WEEK
WTTC announces new dates for its 2022 Global Summit in Manila
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PDOT to hold media briefing in conjunction with Tourism Minister’s Visit
The Philippine Department of Tourism held an offline media briefing event in conjunction with Tourism Minister’s visit to Korea by inviting major media partners at the Lotte Hotel Seoul in So-Gong-Dong area of Seoul on the March 30th. This event is the first media briefing event to be held since the COVID-19 pandemic era has been started, and PDOT has shared updated information with key media partners regarding the trends of the local tourism industry that has changed since the opening of the borders on February 10, brand-new global marketing campaigns, and diverse tourism products and circuits targeting Korea, the number one inbound travel market of the Philippines. At this media briefing, Tourism Minister Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said, “There are high expectations for the increase in Korean travelers as the borders of the Philippines have been opening since February 10.” and she said, ““Next month, we’ll be showcasing our country to the hilt as the Philippines hosts the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit from April 20-22. The WTTC Global Summit is considered the most influential event for the travel and tourism industry, with at least 650 executives expected to attend. With the theme “Rediscovering Travel,” the summit will provide an opportunity to address the social, environmental, and economic challenges as we rediscover global travel amid this pandemic.” And Howard Lance Uyking, Assistant Secretary of Department of Tourism in the Philippines, showcased a presentation on more than 111 newly developed Tourism Circuits that are being strategically developed in collaboration with local tourism partners for new normal travelers in global. “In this campaign, we highlight the preparations our tourism industry has carried out while inbound travel was put on hold, from enhanced safety protocols to new tourism products and circuits that align with sustainable development goals.” Puyat added, “We are thrilled that Korean citizens have started returning to our country, and we look forward to Korea becoming our top market once again.” In addition, the Philippine Department of Tourism also held a “Travel Trade Event” that invited key travel industry people in the afternoon of the same day. Especially, this event was held in a hybrid format, and executives and working level staffs of major airlines and travel agents participated in the event throughout offline and online access via the Zoom link provided in advance. This event provided an opportunity for the participants to think about ideas such as developing more diverse themed tour products by sharing new campaigns and Tourism Circuits. according to the Philippine Department of Tourism, inbound visitor arrivals to the Philippines have now reached 102,031 as of March 16, a high note for the country since its closure of borders at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. In the ranking of foreign tourists who entered the Philippines, the United States (22,243 people) took the first place, followed by Canada (4,852 people), the UK (4,386 people), and Korea (3,748 people). Meanwhile, according to the Philippine Department of Tourism, the number of Korean visitors who visited the Philippines in 2019 before COVID-19 was 1.989,322, which ranked first among all Philippine inbound travelers, accounting for 24.08% of global visitors. And from the opening of the borders on February 10 to March 16, total inbound visitor arrivals to the Philippines have now reached 151,332 as of March 16, a high note for the country since its closure of borders at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. In the ranking of foreign tourists who entered the Philippines, the United States (33,310 people) took the first place, followed by Canada (7,305 people), the UK (6,626 people), and Korea (5,790 people).
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Snoopy’s Holiday @ Harbour City
Staycation in the Oriental Kyoto Ryokan with Snoopy to experience the exquisite Japanese crafts Play “Merry Go Round” & join “Magic Christmas Party” with Snoopy and Friends on festive voyage This Christmas, Harbour City transforms into a “Christmas Terminal” to greet everyone to embark on a Christmas journey. Snoopy flies from the United States and begins a festive voyage with us from 25 November 2021 to 2 January 2022. We can staycation with Snoopy in the “Oriental Kyoto Ryokan”, play “Merry Go Round” with Snoopy and Friends and join the “Magic Christmas Party” in Snoopy’ s house. Art lovers and Snoopy fans can also appreciate and purchase a series worldwide limited exclusive Japanese art collectables and limited-edition souvenirs. Let’s all experience the artistic and cheerful voyage! 1. Snoopy Kyoto Art Voyage : Experience Japanese Crafts -“Fabric, Paper, Gold, Painting and Ceramic” Gallery by the Harbour transforms into a classic Oriental Kyoto Ryokan, Snoopy sits on tatami and greets you! Snoopy and friends are given a traditional Kyoto twist, to experience the exquisite Japanese crafts – “Fabric, Paper, Gold, Painting and Ceramic”. The exhibition showcases 50 worldwide limited exclusive Kyo Yuzen dyed Snoopy denim plushies, 50 limited- edition Snoopy Washi Sculptures, Kyo Zogan Inlay Art Collectables, 7 limited-edition 24 karat gold paintings by the Japanese artist - Hisahiro Fukasawa, 5 sets of SIONE Storytelling Pottery by Showko Kawahara (the sixth successive generation of Makuzu porcelain wares), ceramic artworks by Kyoto craftsman - Shinichi Takashima, and numerous exclusive Snoopy souvenirs including postcards, masking tape, enamel pins, mini tote bag and various tableware, etc. Fabric - Worldwide Limited 50 Exclusive Kyo Yuzen Plushie Speaking of Japanese traditional crafts, let us not forget the meticulous woven crafts. Kyo Yuzen is a Japan-exclusive dyeing technique that originated in Kyoto about 300 years ago. Undergoing 26 handcrafting processes, the vibrant colours and patterns are brought to life with vivid detail, making the artwork invaluable. The exhibition features a limited edition of 50 Kyo Yuzen dyed Snoopy denim plush with wagara patterns in 5 colours of navy, purple, green, grey & purple and grey & black. Not only do they embody the spirit of craftsmanship, but also a rich cultural connection to Japan. Paper – 50 Limited-edition Snoopy Washi Sculptures The Washi papermaking technique has been around for one thousand years in Japan. It has been designated as an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Inspired by the unique texture of Washi paper - soft and thin yet tough -, local artist Ray Wong presents distinct styles of Snoopy Washi Sculptures, done by handcrafted collage works. The sculptures are adorned with harmonious colours, whilst radiating a sense of warmth and comfort and are 100% handmade! Gold – Kyo Zogan Inlay Art Collections Throughout the history of Japanese inlay crafts, Kyo Zogan remarkably stands out. Ryuji Nakajima, the third generation of a family who has been handing down Kyo Zogan, created 2 Snoopy collectables in limited editions. On metal plates made with ottchil sap, the inlaid gold and silver patch in delicate patterns with fine lines thinner than 1mm, such as sakura, momiji and kudzu, are pieced together as Snoopy silhouettes. The shimmering Snoopy decors will lead you to the elegance and glamour of Kyoto! Painting – 7 Limited-edition Kyoto Style Gold Paints Paintings by the Japanese artist Hisahiro Fukasawa reinterpret Snoopy and friends in traditional Kyoto aesthetics. A background finished in 24 karat gold leaf highlights Snoopy in bold colours, painted with acrylic and mineral pigments. The glimmering vibe in his pieces demonstrate how Fukusawa was inspired by the bird-and-flower paintings during the Muromachi Period to the Edo periods. The paintings are best to decorate your home with elegance and class! Ceramics – Storytelling Pottery & Ceramic Tea ceremony plays a significant role in Japan’s rich culture, thus, tea ware is of particular importance in the tea drinking experience. Showko Kawahara is the sixth successive generation in her family which has been renowned for their Makuzu porcelain wares. She launched the brand SIONE on the concept of “Readable Ceramics” in 2009, whose pieces each tell a story, realising her design philosophy of “ichigo ichie”. Specially crafted is the set-of-4 SIONE limited edition Storytelling Pottery Plates. White potteries are adorned with golden pattern and painted with Shiromori, a layering technique, to create detailed texture. Walk through the four seasons of Japan with Snoopy and friends themed ceramics! Besides, more to explore are 2 styles of ceramic artworks proudly presented by Kyoto craftsman, Shinichi Takashima. The ceramics are decorated with icchin ceramic technique to create an uneven look, reminding us of the idea wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy of perfect imperfection. 2. Play “Merry Go Round” with Snoopy and Friends Meet & Greet with Snoopy or Charlie Welcome to Snoopy and Friends’ park! A Snoopy’ s Holiday “Merry Go Round” awaits you in Atrium I of Gateway Arcade, and it is filled with Snoopy characters and Christmas decoration. Charlie Brown, Sally Brown, Linus van Pelt are there to play with you. Christmas trees are decorated with bones-shaped ornaments, and Snoopy’ s red house is installed with Snoopy lying on top. 10 pieces of 1.2m high Snoopy with ribbons in different colours, and several Christmas trees are installed along the atrium corridor. In addition, you can meet & greet with Snoopy or Charlie Brown from 2pm-5pm on 27 & 28 November (Sat & Sun); and take photo together upon onsite donation of HK$50. All proceeds will be donated to Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation. 3. Magic Christmas Party in Snoopy’ s House Let’s join the Snoopy and friend’s party! A 3.5m high Snoopy house is located in the Atrium of Ocean Terminal, and festive decorations like 2.1m high Christmas tree and 1.4m high snowman have been set up outside the house. Charlie Brown and Lucy van Pelt are ready to welcome you. Inside the house, you can find the distorting mirror, while Snoopy and Woodstock are playing hide-and-seek with us! Besides, all furniture, party balloons, table lamp are upside down, so we can play around in the extraordinary Snoopy world! What’s more, surprising activities will be launched outside the house. Details will be announced in social media channels of Harbour City soon.
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Minuteman Press Bethesda Partners with In America Flags to Remember COVID-19 Victims
In America: Remember is a public art exhibition being held at the National Mall that displays 660,000 white flags to honor the people in America who have been lost due to COVID-19. Minuteman Press in Bethesda, Maryland, is a partner for the exhibition, providing printed message cards from people all over the country who are paying tribute to loved ones through the In America website. “We are glad to be able to do our part to help this art exhibition,” says Leslie Klein, owner, Minuteman Press, Bethesda. “Every day, we receive all of the messages that were submitted through the In America website and we print them 8 up on 11 x 17 sheets to create 4.25 x 5.5 cards. Every night, I drop off the finished cards to one of the volunteers, and then they are transcribed onto the flags by another group of volunteers.” Leslie adds, “This is a total team effort and we are proud to be partners in such an important and moving exhibition. Our hearts go out to those who have been lost and their families.” The In America: Remember exhibition was designed by artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg. The exhibition is open for public participation now through October 3rd, 2021. Hours are Weekdays from 10 AM – Sunset and Weekends from 9 AM – Sunset. For more information, visit https://www.inamericaflags.org. Minuteman Press in Bethesda is located at 8210 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. For more information, call 301-656-1188 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/md/bethesda Learn more about Minuteman Press products and services at https://minuteman.com
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Tama Art University Creative Workshop Program Presents Results of Experiments with Toray-Donated Ultrasuede
Toray Industries, Inc., donated samples of Ultrasuede® non-woven material with a suede texture to Tama Arts University's color/materials/trends/exploration laboratory (CMTEL) for the Ultrasuede® Design Cooking: Toray + Tama Art University Materials Exploration Program. In the program's final report session on June 23, students presented innovative findings from cutting, pasting, tearing, sewing, and other experiments with Ultrasuede. The university established CMTEL in 2007 as Japan's first materials laboratory. The program encompassed a two-month workshop for students of the Department of Product Design, including lectures about materials basics and interim and final report sessions. The Toray-donated Ultrasuede comprised surplus samples and test pieces in keeping with the company's desire to encourage efforts to build to a circular economy. The uniformly outstanding experimental results and items that the students created should inspire Ultrasuede development at Toray in the coming years. In 2016, Toray started conducting fabric classes and providing free Ultrasuede for graduation projects at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. The company has since continued to supply information and donate this fabric to prominent fashion and design schools in Japan and elsewhere. Toray assists young, up-and-coming designers by sponsoring overseas fashion events and award programs. Toray envisions that its support for educational institutions in supplying Ultrasuede will unleash creativity by driving the evolution of this beautiful fabric, helping to transform societies for the better in keeping with the company's commitment to innovating ideas, technologies, and products that deliver new value. See the following page for workshop images and items presented. [Reference websites] Tama Art University https://www.tamabi.ac.jp/english/about CMTEL https://www.tamabi.ac.jp/mc/cmtel/ (Japanese only) Ultrasuede® https://www.ultrasuede.com/index.html
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Gibson Garage - the Ultimate Guitar Experience - Announces Grand Opening Wednesday, June 9 in the Heart of Downtown Nashville, Music City USA
Gibson, the iconic, American instrument brand presents the Gibson Garage, the ultimate guitar experience. Come to the Gibson Garage to explore Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, Mesa Boogie and KRK, try your favorite electric and acoustic guitars, and shop for your favorite guitar, accessories, and surprises. The historic 8,000 square foot shop will officially open to the public on Wednesday, June 9 at the historic Cummins Station located on 209 10th Avenue South, Nashville, TN in the heart of downtown Nashville. Whether you are a seasoned professional musician, a casual guitar player, a beginner, or simply a music fan, the Gibson Garage is a must-see destination in Nashville. For 127 years, Gibson has shaped sound across generations and genres and has emerged as the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brand around the world. Step inside the new Gibson Garage to explore and shop the collections, experience exclusive, live music performances, catch a taping of the award-winning Gibson TV series, and explore generations of music history including the stories behind the music with captivating, interactive installations and programming. “The Gibson Garage is the ultimate guitar experience where our past, present and future comes to life for fans and artists right here in Music City,” says James “JC” Curleigh, CEO of Gibson Brands. “This is also our opportunity to contribute to the amazing music and guitar culture that we’ve been a part of for over a century. We can’t wait to share the Gibson Garage with our fans and future fans.” “The Gibson Garage is the epitome of when the legendary creativity of the original brand perfectly coincides with the vision of the future of the modern electric and acoustic guitar,” adds Joe Bonamassa. “Congratulations on a job well done.” “You can’t have a guitar town like Nashville without Gibson representing, and they do it with the Garage in an incredibly thoughtful way,” says singer-songwriter-musician Maggie Rose. “The space is great for performances and jamming with other Nashville artists or artists passing through town, but the storefront also draws in music lovers from all over the world who come to see the space that delivers the history and a plethora of guitars.” “The Gibson Garage is a magical place and elicits the same feeling a deep Disney fan feels walking into Disneyland for the first time,” says singer-songwriter-producer, Celisse. “To see all those guitars on the belt and you can reach out and play any guitar of your choosing, it is truly unlike anything I have ever experienced. The Gibson Garage is amazing.” The Gibson Garage is the ultimate guitar and music experience, including its state-of-the-art stage for live and virtual livestreaming concert performances. The Gibson Garage combines a modern guitar environment with interactive brand storytelling, a Custom Shop to build your own guitar, historical and celebrity memorabilia displays, a Repair and Restoration Center, and a public retail shopping experience across Gibson, Gibson Acoustic, Gibson Custom Shop, Epiphone, Kramer, MESA/Boogie, and KRK. At the Gibson Garage, fans can try all our guitars across brands and collections as well as take a piece of history home with one-of-a-kind, in-store offers on limited-edition guitars, instruments, gear, accessories, and exclusive Gibson apparel. Fans across the globe that are unable to visit Nashville can experience the Gibson Garage global grand opening--on Wednesday, June 9--via the global virtual concert “Gibson Live: A Celebration of Artists to Benefit Gibson Gives” airing worldwide at 6:30p CT/7:30 ET via Gibson TV: Here. The concert features performances from Warren Haynes, Margo Price, Kip Moore, James Bay, Sergio Vallin of Maná, Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm, Marcus King, Orianthi, Samantha Fish, Morgan Wade, Sadler Vaden, Tak Matsumoto, Celisse, Emily Wolfe, Jared James Nichols with Joe Bonamassa, and more. “Gibson Live …,” will benefit Gibson Gives--the 501c3 charitable arm of Gibson--which supports musicians worldwide and is committed to making the world a better place by creating and supporting other non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, as well as youth-focused education and wellness initiatives. 100% of the “Gibson Live…,” donations will go to two powerful organizations making positive changes: MusiCares--a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community--and Save the Music--helping kids, schools, and communities discover their full potential through the power of making music. For the latest news and updates on the Gibson Garage opening, be sure to follow @officialgibsongarage on Instagram or visit the official website at https://www.gibson.com/garage
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Book Creator and Planet Classroom Network Announce Winner of Global Writing Contest for Youth
Youth entries from 25 countries across the world including Guatemala, Thailand, Poland and Egypt raise Creative Storytelling to a new high. And the winner is Cate Cole, age 11 from Marblehead, Massachusetts in the United States, who won 1st Prize for her powerful short story, As Flames Rise. The Book Creator global competition, Write a Story in One Page, targeted youth aged 11-18. Book Creator, in association with Planet Classroom Network, came up with a challenge that would work easily for young people across the world, in any language. Youth were asked to create a 1-page story book (with a cover illustration) which they had to read aloud. “The results were amazing,” says C.M. Rubin, Co-founder of the Planet Classroom Network. Clearly, great tech along with great teachers as mentors are enabling kids to be more creative and imaginative than ever. Over 480 stories by young people were received during the pandemic from 25 countries including Guatemala, Thailand, Poland, and Egypt.” "Thank you to Planet Classroom for working with us to help create a global audience for these young authors. We were blown away with the quality (and quantity!) of the entries to our competition. We are thrilled to be able to showcase such diverse talent from around the world. Thank you to everyone who entered!" Cate Cole’s winning entry, As Flames Rise, is an edge of your seat short story about how a crisis can change our lives in a second. Told from the POV of her story’s main character, a lone wolf, animals surrounded by a ferocious forest fire work together to overcome their fear and survive.
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Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market Taps New Directors
HUH Moon-young, new director of the Busan International Film Festival At the annual board meeting held on March 25 at 4 pm, Huh Moon-young, film critic and program director of the Busan Cinema Center, has been tapped as the new festival director. Huh Moon-young has served as the head of the Cinematheque Busan and program director of the Busan Cinema Center since 2005. Huh was a Korean cinema programmer at the Busan International Film Festival for five years from 2002 after building his journalism career at current affairs magazine JoongAng Monthly and film magazine Cine21. OH Seok Geun, new co-director of the Asian Contents & Film Market Committee Oh Seok Geun, former chairperson of the Korean Film Council, replaced Tcha Sung Jai as the co-director of the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM). Founding member of the Busan International Film Festival, Oh Seok Geun is the producer of Camellia and director of The 101st Proposition, Love Is A Crazy Thing, and other numerous works. Oh is an expert in the film industry with ten years of experience as the head of various audiovisual and film-related organizations such as Busan Film Commission, Asia Film Commissions Network, Korean Film Council. The festival organization will prepare for the upcoming Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market, scheduled to be held in the second half of the year. With many years of experience in the film industry, the newly appointed directors Huh Moon-young and Oh Seuk Geun will be at the forefront for successfully holding the festival and market and developing its visions for the future. The 26th edition of the Busan International Film Festival will take place from October 6 to 15, and the Asian Contents & Film Market will take place from October 11 to 14.
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25th Busan International Film Festival Call for Submissions
The 25th edition of the Busan International Film Festival, scheduled for October 7 (Wed) to October 16 (Fri) 2020, is now accepting submissions. Online applications, open as of April 1, are on track to suprass those made in previous years. Online applications are available until June 24 for short films and July 22 for feature films at the Busan International Film Festival’s official website. Started in 1996, the Busan International Film Festival is active in bolstering the growth and globalization of Korean and Asian cinema. It has discovered diverse films that show great achievements in major film festivals around the world. Just Like That by director Kislay Kislay and John Denver Trending by director Arden Rod Condez, official selections for the New Currents section at the Busan International Film Festival 2019, won Grand Jury Award and Jury Prize, respectively, at the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema 2020. Also, Moving On by director Yoon Danbi, official selection of the Korean Cinema Today – Vision section, received 4 awards, including NETPAC Award, KTH Award, Directors Guild of Korea Award and Citizen Critics’ Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2019 followed by the Bright Future Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2020. Last but not least, House of Hummingbird directed by Kim Bora, which first premiered at the Busan International Film Festival 2018 in the New Currents section, is another notable accomplishment. It received over 40 awards at international and local film festivals, such as winning The Grand Prix Award of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival 2019 and the Best International Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival 2019. For the past 24 years, the Busan International Film Festival has discovered and presented outstanding films to global audiences. This year, the Busan International Film Festival is preparing for the 25th edition to fulfill its intended role of discovering fine works that connect film and audiences. The world faces an unprecedented crisis related to COVID-19 and it has had a devastating impact on the global film industry. The Busan International Film Festival will follow proper safety protocols, while simultaneously monitoring international developments regarding coronavirus and the film industry. We will manage a safe festival that prioritize the health and safety of audiences and filmmakers a top priority. Official selections will be screened at the 25th Busan International Film Festival, slated to be held from October 7 (Wed) to October 16 (Fri) 2020.
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The 2020 #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks Keeps the Tech Industry Connected
During this unprecedented time with travel restriction, many major tech events have been postponed, cancelled or going online. Although COMPUTEX reschedules its physical show, it is adding alternative launch platforms to keep the tech industry connected in June, and #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks is one of them. #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks, a free event open to everyone around the globe, will be held from June 2-4 with the debut of the leading tech giants. No matter where you are located, what industry you are in, all are welcome to watch the latest technology as it unfolds at #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks, which can be watched on-demand on Facebook and Youtube (COMPUTEX TAIPEI). Watch key executives from BenQ Business Solutions Alliance, Delta Electronics, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Supermicro as they share their viewpoints on future tech such as AI and 5G applications. These symbolic brands will also discuss how global technology can continue to promote growth and realize applications for the smart future. NVIDIA - AI innovation moves humanity forward Jensen Huang, founder and CEO, NVIDIA, will be in this talk. As AI will bring improved health, safety, and productivity to people, Jensen will give a prospect how NVIDIA’s latest miracle technology supports both ecosystem partners and global customers. Qualcomm - Accelerating the intelligent, connected future Jim Cathey, senior vice president and president of global business for Qualcomm, will highlight how advancements in AI combined with 5G will drive an explosion of innovation that will enable a new generation of intelligent and connected services to enrich our lives and transform the global economy. Supermicro - 5G Infrastructure Innovation Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro, will provide a preview of the company’s new Cloud server line as well as their 5G and Intelligent Edge solutions. Supermicro’s server-class systems for cloud-native 5G and Open RAN architecture are leading the transition to a speedy new 5G world. Delta Electronics - SMART WELL BEING IoT-based Solutions for Buildings Delta will present its section with a group of speakers, led by Chief Brand Officer Ms. Shan-Shan Guo. As a Keystone member of the International WELL Building Institute, Delta will demonstrate how its IoT-based smart green solutions enhance human comfort, health and overall well-being in eco-friendly facilities. From green buildings to healthy buildings, Delta devotes to sustainability in multiple aspects though its leading energy-efficient technologies. BenQ Business Solutions Alliance - Cloud Transformation The explosive impact of COVID-19 has changed the way people work and live. Michael Lee, General Manager of Business Solutions Group, Qisda, will lead with a team of experts across digital computing (DFI), network communications (ALPHA Networks) and information security (Aewin) in sharing their experiences on cloud transformation through 5G, AIoT and process management across the different industry verticals. “During this pandemic, COMPUTEX will continue to show its industry leadership to the world. Without being physically in Taiwan in June, our exhibitors and buyers can still participate in #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks to get the latest tech trend”, says Walter Yeh, TAITRA President & CEO. With the rise of 5G, technology is no longer just an imagination. Various commercial applications of AI and IoT will show concrete results in various fields, such as smart cities, smart buildings, smart homes, autonomous vehicles, healthcare and more. Check out the COMPUTEX TAIPEI Facebook Fan Page and YOUTUBE for the latest update! Stay tuned for #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks with an incredible lineup of global experts live streaming straight into your home!
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Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Film Market Changes Name, and Asia Contents Awards Call for Submissions
Asian Film Market, changes name to “Asian Contents & Film Market” Fifteen years after its establishment in 2006, the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Film Market announces a name change to Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM). The name change adds clarity to ACFM’s belief in solidifying its foundation as a total contents market that includes both film and content distributed on TV, OTT, and other diverse platforms, as well as uplifts the One-Source Multi-Use (OSMU) system by introducing original content such as books, web comics, web novels, and web dramas, to industry professionals at the E-IP (Entertainment Intellectual Property) Market. Last year, ACFM branched out from film into a market that embraces TV series and available content through streaming platforms in its establishment of the Asia Contents Awards and forming a new committee with Tcha Sung Jai and Oh Dongjin as new directors for the organization. For this year’s edition, ACFM will speed up the process of expanding the scope of its business and fully prepare ACFM as a marketplace where diverse content (regardless of platform) can be exchanged. ACFM 2020 will take place from Saturday, Oct 10 to Tuesday, Oct 13 for 4 days at Bexco in Busan. 2nd Asia Contents Awards, now accepting submissions until June 30 Asia Contents Awards, newly launched in 2019, will accept submissions from this year. Asia Contents Awards recognize outstanding TV and OTT-originated series in Asia. It is comprised of 10 categories – Drama (Best Creative, Best Asian Drama), Individual (Best Actor and Actress, Best Writer, Best Rising Star, Newcomer), Lifetime Achievement, and Special Awards (Excellence Award, Technical Achievement Award). 1st Asia Contents Awards winners include Best Creative for Mr. Sunshine (Korea), Best Asian Drama for Faculty (Singapore) and The Hormones, The Series (Thailand), and Best Writer went to Park Hae Young for My Mister (Korea) and Lu Shih-yuan for The World Between Us (Taiwan). Applications are now open until Tuesday, June 30. The world faces an unprecedented crisis related to COVID-19. The Busan International Film Festival and ACFM will consider the health and safety of audiences and film industry professionals a top priority. We will continue to plan and prepare for the event, while simultaneously monitoring important developments regarding coronavirus and film industry situations around the world.
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Asian Project Market 2020 Call for Applications
Applications for the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Project Market (APM) are now open until Monday, June 15. Initiated in 1998 as the Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP), the first co-production market in Asia, APM links new film projects by emerging and established directors with global film investors, producers and distributors. Every year, creative feature film projects selected by APM are given the opportunity to take their new projects forward with potential investment and co-production partners. APM celebrated last year’s edition by arranging 796 official business meetings, a record-breaking result, with the participation of 141 related companies. APM has selected 585 projects for over the last 22 years, and about 245 projects have been completed. Projects from previous editions have shown great achievements. Early films by director Bong Joon Ho, who made history at the Academy Awards 2020, such as The Host (Korea/APM 2004) and Snowpiercer (Korea/APM 2009) were projects officially introduced by APM to the global film industry professionals. Another notable point is that the opening and closing films of the Busan International Film Festival 2019, The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time (Kazakhstan/APM 2017) and Moonlit Winter (Korea/APM 2018), respectively, were both official projects of APM. Many other projects discovered by APM received well-deserved recognition at major film festivals as well. The Science of Fictions by director Yosep Anggi Noen (Indonesia/APM 2014) received Special Mention within International Competition section at the Locarno Film Festival 2019, and Jinpa by director Pema Tseden (China/APM 2014) won the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay at the Venice International Film Festival 2018. In addition, Suk Suk by director Ray Yeung (Hong Kong (China)/APM 2017) was an official selection of the Berlin International Film Festival 2020, Bombay Rose by director Gitanjali Rao (United Kingdom, India, France, Qatar/APM 2015) was screened at the Toronto and Venice International Film Festival 2019, and Manto by director Nandita Das (India/APM 2015) was selected for the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival 2018. APM discovers film projects ranging from large-scale commercial to low-budget independent films in Asia and throughout the world. Business meetings for investment and co-production opportunities are slated to be held from Sunday, October 11 to Tuesday, October 13 in Busan. With the world facing an unprecedented crisis related to COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, the Busan International Film Festival and APM will put health and safety of the audiences and film industry professionals as a top priority and continue to plan and prepare for the event, while at the same time closely monitoring developments related to the coronavirus and film industry situations around the world.
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COMPUTEX 2020 Rescheduled to September
Unfortunately, the world is affected by severe infectious pneumonia (COVID-19). As of today, more than 300,000 people have been diagnosed across 167 countries worldwide, impacting the economy, trade, transportation, convention, and tourism. COMPUTEX organizers, TAITRA President & CEO, Mr. Walter Yeh, and TCA Secretary General, Mr. Enoch Du jointly announce, for the health and safety of exhibitors and visitors, the effectiveness of the exhibition, and maintaining the COMPUTEX brand image, COMPUTEX scheduled for June 2-6 will be rescheduled to September. To continue to service exhibitors and visitors around the world while taking into account the health and safety of all participants, COMPUTEX is rescheduled to September 28-30, at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2 (TaiNEX 2) and will present 5G and communication, smart solutions, gaming, and InnoVEX (startups). According to McKinsey's latest epidemic report, the epidemic in China and East Asia will be controlled at the beginning of the second quarter, and the epidemic situation in Europe and the United States will slow down in June. TAITRA will enhance inviting global visitors to attend COMPUTEX in September through its 63 overseas offices. For exhibitors who continue to support COMPUTEX, TAITRA will organize a COMPUTEX online exhibition on the Taiwantrade from June 2-6 and invite global buyers to participate in online procurement meetings. TAITRA will also invite exhibitors to conduct new product launches, as well as invite global ICT companies to share 5G, AIoT, and other smart technology applications through Webinar.
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Groups for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 confirmed
Following an exciting online qualification phase involving over 190 teams, the groups for the FIFA eClub World Cup™ 2020 have been set following the draw, which took place today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland. Twenty-four of the world’s best teams, consisting of an elite group of competitive FIFA players, will battle it out in a unique 1v1 and 2v2 format in Milan from 7-9 February. After a round-robin group stage, teams will compete in the knockout phase to find out who will be crowned the official club team world champions of competitive FIFA. As part of FIFA's initiative to involve clubs and organisations in order to further improve its competitions, today’s draw took place during a dedicated workshop involving participating clubs at the Home of FIFA. A total of 100,000 USD and essential Global Series points on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup™ 2020 will be distributed amongst the 24 participating teams. Group A • NEO • Hashtag United • FaZe Clan • Gillette Infinity Esports • Nordavind DNB • Olympique Lyonnais Group B • Ellevens • FC Basel 1893 eSports • Borussia VfL 1900 Mönchengladbach • Blue United eFC • Movistar Riders • Mkers Group C • Fnatic • Redemption eSports • AS Roma • Nasr eSports • Team QLASH • FK Austria Wien Group D • Manchester City eSports • Team FUTWIZ AU • Fierce Esports • Complexity Gaming • R288 • DUX Gaming
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FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 to take place in Milan
FIFA and Electronic Arts (EA) today announced the location of the FIFA eClub World Cup™, confirming that the world’s best 24 teams – who secured their berths after five rounds of exciting online qualification matches – will battle it out for the world title in Milan, Italy during 7-9 February. The first champions of the new decade to be crowned by FIFA will be determined following the conclusion of a qualification process where 190 teams were narrowed down to 24. For the first time ever, the FIFA eClub World Cup – the pinnacle event of club team-based competitive FIFA – will take place in Italy and see three Italian teams competing among the 24 qualified sides in Milan. Italian sides Mkers, AS Roma and Team QLASH will battle it out against 21 other outfits from all over the world, including organisations and clubs from Mexico, Germany, England, Spain, France, Japan, USA and other countries. All qualified teams can be found here. The event will also feature some of the world’s best players including current Xbox and PlayStation world ranking leaders Donovan 'Tekkz' Hunt (Fnatic) and Diego 'Crazy' Campagnani (Team QLASH), as well as 2017 World Champion Spencer 'Gorilla' Ealing (NEO). While the event will feature some newcomers, a total of eight clubs have competed at the event before: Manchester City eSports (2017, 2019, 2020) FaZe Clan (2019, 2020) Olympique Lyonnais (2017, 2020) AS Roma (2017, 2020) Mkers (2018, 2020) Hashtag United (2018, 2020) FC Basel 1893 eSports (2018, 2020) Blue United eFC (2018, 2020) Manchester City equalled Brondby IF’s record for the most eClub World Cup participations with their third qualification, having already competed in 2017 and 2019. “We are proud that over 190 teams from all over the world took part in this season’s qualification and we are beyond excited to find the world’s best team out of the top-class field of participating teams. The introduction of team-based 2v2 matches showed a new level of excitement and competitiveness at last year’s event and will undoubtedly spark huge emotions at this year’s tournament as well,” said Adrian Rölli, Head of eFootball at FIFA. For media interested in attending the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020, as well as interview requests and media opportunities, please contact media@fifa.org. Please note following schedule for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020: • 21 January: FIFA eClub World Cup Final Draw • 7 February: Round 1 – 3 Group Stages • 8 February: Round 4 – 5 Group Stages, Round of 16 • 9 February: Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Finals
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Discover Artists from Around the World at the 15th Asia Contemporary Art Show
Hong Kong, August 15, 2019: Returning this Fall with its 15th edition, the Asia Contemporary Art Show at the Conrad Hong Kong opens on October 4 until October 7. As the longest-running and most intimate hotel art fair in Asia, the Show will present artworks from countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Lebanon, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many others. Beginning on Friday, October 4th, arts patrons and select guests will be welcomed at the exclusive Private View. This will be followed by an invitation-only VIP Collectors Preview. General admission opens on Saturday, October 5th and continues with regular show hours until Monday, October 7th. “Aiming to present the best of contemporary art from a diverse selection of galleries, the Show responds to a growing trend where galleries are looking for immersive ways of showing art and for audiences seeking something more intimate and experiential. The Show brings a world of art to Hong Kong at accessible prices, giving collectors and art buyers the opportunity to browse and buy original paintings, limited editions, sculpture, and photography from some of the world’s most interesting and promising artists – from emerging to mid-career artists, to those who have already achieved recognition in private and public collections, and at auction.” remarked Show Director Mark Saunderson. “Among other artists, the 15th edition will feature Lee Dongsu from South Korea whose works capture the essence of bigger and higher concepts with very oxymoronic crude and simple visualization, and Chinese sculptor and painter Wu Qiong whose art resonates with the cartoon aesthetic of a generation absorbed by comic imagery, online gaming and computer worlds. His work makes “political stress release” and cynicism, ideals which were once so characteristic of contemporary Chinese art, seem generations away.” The Asia Contemporary Art Show is delighted to welcome back Connecting Myanmar in their charity exhibition and sale of Aung Myint’s works at the Show. A very well-known Burmese artist whose works are collected by notable institutions such as the Guggenheim, the exhibition will include pieces from his famous Mother and Child series, which uses single, unbroken lines of black acrylic to evoke the intimate physical connection between the two figures. Connecting Myanmar, a registered charity in Hong Kong, aims to inspire young people to think critically with an empathetic lens by connecting Myanmar and Hong Kong youths. Proceeds from the exhibition will go toward scholarships supporting Myanmar students in their studies abroad. FEATURED SURREALIST WORKS Lau Chun Tao, Hong Kong — Accidental Art, Room 4221 Lau Chun Tao (b.1994) is an artist born and raised in Hong Kong. Lau is known for distorting objects through texture and pattern by using ink, acrylic and screen print. His artworks are inspired by his observation of everyday life. The artist attended the Academia di Belle Arti di Bologna in Italy and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from the Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University. Roger Dean, United Kingdom — Trading Boundaries, Room 4226 Roger Dean (b.1944) is an internationally recognised artist and designer, whose evocative and visionary images with associated graphics, logos, and lettering, created a new genre of work. Best known for his album covers for groups such as Yes, Asia, and Osibisa, Dean has worked in many fields from painting and architecture to typeface, furniture, and stage design, inspiring generations of students and artists. "Pathways" by Roger Dean, Trading Boundaries, United Kingdom, Room 4226 Yoo, Sun-Tai, South Korea — Galerie GAIA, Room 4306 Yoo, Sun-Tai (b.1957) is one of Korea's most widely recognized contemporary artists. While studying in Paris (PH.D), the artist developed his now well-known style of three-dimensional painting. Yoo is obsessed with objects utilised as a means of metaphors of life elements, their meanings depending on personal imagination or interpretation. Yoo’s surreal paintings feature Korean letters that interact with the objects in the works, giving it a meditative and poetic sense. GALLERIES AND ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Gao Xiao Yun, China, Room 4322 Gao Xiao Yun (b.1977) pursues stillness and motion, and objectivity and subjectivity. Gao paints spontaneously and flexibly to achieve an effect that appears at once “dense and light, quick and slow, hard and soft, cold and warm”. Gao graduated from the Department of Oil Painting at the China Academy of Fine Art. In the high pressure of modern society, Gao aims to use his art to create a harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Gao participated in the development of the Shanghai Pudong Artist Village and Puxi Art District. Lin Kuo-Wei, Taiwan — All Animal Art, Room 4118 Lin Kuo-Wei (b.1985) uses his own art language to vocalize environmental issues in the series “NO.∞”. By combining human and animal shapes and by using heavy mechanical woodcarving techniques, the artist wants to promote environmental protection in his efforts to contribute to the society and the environment. Aung Myint, Myanmar — Connecting Myanmar, Room 4323 Burmese artist Aung Myint (b.1946) is known for his Mother and Child inspired drawings, drawn with a single unbroken line of black acrylic. A self-taught artist, he works with painting and installation and is regarded as one of the pioneers of performance and experimental art in Myanmar. He experiments with different mediums to explore the themes of cultural identity and personal memories. Elizabeth Langreiter, Australia, Room 4210 Elizabeth Langreiter’s art journey began in a rather unusual way. Langreiter had zero interest in art before being hit on the head with a tennis ball during a competition and then had the sudden urge to start painting. The artist connects this to “Acquired Savant Syndrome” which is a condition where “dormant savant skills emerge after a brain injury or disease...where few such skills were evident before.” Adeline Buenaventura, France, Room 4106 Self-trained artist Adeline Buenaventura (b.1971) is passionate about colours and graphics that are inspired by Pop Art. Buenaventura designs, draws, and paints freehand using bright and eclectic colors on her cheerful resin and fiberglass sculptures. Infused with voluptuous roundness and sensual lines and an elaborate glazed surface, the ultimate originality of her work is in the smoothness of each sculpture, which looks as if they are blown glass or porcelain. Lee Dongsu, South Korea — Khalifa Gallery, Room 4321 Lee Dongsu (b.1965) tries to reconstruct a part of the world; not by reconstructing objects themselves, but by presenting objects as the world. Lee’s works, a simple China and a bowl embodies silence and emptiness, representing winds in a subtle way. Without flamboyant visualization, one could feel the smooth touch of zephyr by looking at his paintings. Jeff Murray, United Kingdom, Room 4126 Jeff Murray (b.1986) takes inspiration from his personal experiences and interests, with the world and its wonders being the main subject matter. His “visual journals” capture the way he sees the world and what it means to him. Focusing heavily on architecture, landscapes, history and nature, his art speaks to all art lovers so that they can connect with each and every piece in a different way. Murray likes to test the viewer by hiding things within each piece. He often hides these things in multiples of 7, which is a unique and personal number to him. These “Easter eggs” show his playful side and how his mind works with wanting to discover more. "New York" by Jeff Murray, United Kingdom, Room 4126 Wu Qiong, China – M & T ART, Room 4315 Sculptor and painter, Wu Qiong (b.1981) creates art that represents the childhood that he and many others of his generation remember and in doing so, creates touching and amusing portraits that are distinctly contemporary in the Chinese art scene. The artist’s fairytale visions of childlike figures against stark backgrounds and pastel skies sets him apart from his contemporaries. In 21st century China, Wu resonates with the cartoon aesthetic of a generation absorbed by comic imagery, online gaming and computer worlds. Coplu, Turkey — V’ Art Space, Room 4203 Coplu (b.1958) is a self-taught artist. Exploring different forms of visual art, he developed his own distinctive style of painting. The subjects of Coplu's paintings are always directly linked to human relationships and the different environments they are connected to, mirroring the feelings, beliefs, thoughts, fears and experiences that we all encounter during our journey through life.
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Asian Film Market 2019 Announces 30 Official Selections for Book To Film and E-IP Pitching
Asian Film Market 2019 selects 30 official projects of Book To Film and E-IP Pitching, the main events of the Entertainment Intellectual Property (E-IP) Market, where 15 original books and 15 web contents will be presented at each event. Official selections will focus more on business meetings slated for the 6th and 7th of October with a grand vision to expand and diversify into a one-source multi-use content platform. From this year onward, Korean English consecutive interpretation services will be provided to support the sale of rights for adaptation. Early registration for business meetings will be open on the official website in early September. New award sponsors have joined: Showbox, a leading financing and distribution company along with Union Investment Partners, a venture capital company focused on content investment. Returning for another year, global web comic platform Tory Comics rejoins as a corporate sponsor. This year, a total of KRW 70 million in grants will be given to winners selected from among all official selections. Winners will be announced at the E-IP Awards Ceremony after business meetings wrap up. Book To Film: Remarkable performance of short stories, eye-catching themes and unique characters The 8th edition of Book To Film is a meeting place for publishers and film and video industry insiders who wish to negotiate contracts for the original property rights of video and film production content. Among last year’s selections, GOSIMAN (Macaron(Kyobo Book Center)) signed TV drama production contract and A Week Before I Die (Goldenbough) made a contract for the adaptation into TV series and film. Book To Film titles will surely ignite interest in the industry with an increased demand for secondary rights. In particular, the performance of short stories stood out this year along with works selected from the many submissions that featured subject originality and unique characters. E-IP Pitching: Envisioning with contents acclaimed for well-structured storyline and a new set of vision The 5th edition of E-IP Pitching, launched in 2015, will serve as a marketplace that introduces original content from web dramas, web novels and web comic adaptable by entertainment industry professionals that can fit across multiple media platforms such as film and media. The accomplishments of last year’s E-IP selections have been astonishing as the story Good Job(All That Story) is set to be published this year, while Devil School (Youthmeans) will be published in series as a web novel. In addition, the web comic Kingmaker (Toyou’s Dream) made a contract for the adaptation into TV series. This year’s selections have a solid story structure and originality in ideas that are clearly fit with film and series adaptation. Thus, these selections are being watched with keen interest to be provided in a variety of platforms.
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FIFA eWorld Cup 2019 to return to London on 2 - 4 August
FIFA has announced today that the FIFA eWorld Cup™ will return to London later this year, confirming that this season’s pinnacle event will once again take place at The O2 from 2 to 4 August 2019. Having already played host to last year’s final, which saw Mosaad Aldossary crowned world champion, 32 of the world’s best EA SPORTS FIFA 19 players will compete once more at The O2. They will battle it out to become the FIFA eWorld Cup champion and to win a life-changing USD 250,000 in prize money, along with a trip to The Best FIFA Football Awards™. As a further indication of the growing interest in competitive FIFA, the total prize money for the FIFA eWorld Cup has also been increased compared to last year’s final, and a total of USD 500,000 will be distributed among the 32 competitors. Building on the profile of competitive FIFA this season, the culmination of this year’s EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series will offer fans an exciting three-day broadcast. Fans will also have the opportunity to experience the excitement and intensity of the broadcasted event at one of the world’s most iconic music and entertainment venues on August 04. On-site guests will be able to meet well-known faces from the EA SPORTS FIFA scene such as Spencer Owen, Mike LaBelle and others, as well as watch the decisive matches of the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019 live in person. Regular tickets will provide access for 4 August, including the two semi-finals as well as the final, while premium tickets will additionally offer exclusive access to the after-show party on 4 August and preferred seating. FIFA is proud to work with its worldwide partner Visa and to offer a discounted Visa pre-sale with reduced ticket prices, starting at £10 for regular tickets and £25 for the premium tickets. Tickets are on sale now on fifa.com/fewc. "After the incredible success of the tournament last year at The O2 in London, we are excited to once again host the FIFA eWorld Cup at such an iconic venue and to create a one-of-a-kind EA SPORTS FIFA event for the community,” said Christian Volk, Director of eFootball & Gaming at FIFA. “With the increased prize money and a world title on the line, the tension will be higher than ever before and will create an incredible atmosphere. This season, we have seen a great appetite for content consumption of the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series and we are excited to give more fans the chance to witness the greatest competitive FIFA event to date either on-site or at home, as we crown the ultimate champion at The O2 after an exciting season.” The top 32 players in the FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings will be determined after the FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs, taking place from 5 - 7 July in Hamburg (Xbox) and from 12 - 14 July in Berlin (PlayStation).
