"Once Upon a Time in Asia..."

"Once Upon a Time in Asia..."

*Media Release – 21 November 2010*

“Once Upon a Time in Asia”, a photo exhibition promoting Asia to New Zealanders as seen through the eyes of Asia:NZ Young Leaders, kicks off this Friday at the St James Theatre in Wellington. Photos taken in countries from China to Mongolia, India to Vietnam, and Japan to Cambodia tell stories of the connections Young Leaders have with Asia and how these links are shaping their futures, identities and career paths.

The exhibition is being planned and launched within a single week by participants of Asia:NZ’s annual Young Leaders Forum. The head curator Bevan Chuang says the challenge provides leadership development and the opportunity to promote cross-cultural understanding.

“While racing against the clock, we are honing our leadership and networking skills. Our vision for the exhibition is to provoke interest in Asia and stimulate a deeper understanding of its culture and people.”

“Once Upon a Time in Asia” was a huge success when it was initially exhibited in Christchurch earlier this year. Marcia Jones, one of its creators, explains the three themes that lie at the heart of the exhibition.

“The first narrative space is ‘Feeling at Home’ and so all of the stories behind them have something to do with the photographer feeling at home when they took that photo. There’s one of mine in there from Japan when I went back last year. It was about the realisation that I feel equally at home in Hiroshima as I do back here in Christchurch.”

“The second space is called ‘A Stranger in a Strange Country’ which is about how Asia is so diverse. Or alternatively, for Asians here in New Zealand, you can feel like everything is quite strange and unfamiliar, and also the idea that once you return from travelling, you may also feel like a stranger back in your home country.”

“The third space is ‘I’m Home, Who Am I Now?’ which is about how the experiences that Young Leaders are having are shaping their futures, and their identities, their career paths, the choices they make, and their everyday life.”

The exhibition launch will be held this Thursday evening. It will feature a group performance of a traditional Cambodian dance and speeches from distinguished guests.

The exhibition will run for a month in the 1st Floor Gallery of the St James Theatre in Wellington from 26 November until 23 December. Entrance is free and visitors will have the chance to win a framed photo from the exhibition of their choice.

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