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Lars Nittve named curator of Venice Biennale 2013  
Dr Lars Nittve, M+ Executive Director of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, will be the Lead Curator of the Hong Kong pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.

To be open on 11 June 2013, M+, along with co-organiser Hong Kong Arts Development Council, would present the works of Hong Kong artist Lee Kit in the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most important art events.
exhibition
Dr Lars Nittve, the Lead Curator of the Hong Kong pavilion, Venice Biennale 2013.
Dr Nittve said, "Lee Kit is to me one of the leading artists in Hong Kong's thriving contemporary art scene. I have during my years here been repeatedly touched by how Lee Kit so seemingly effortlessly manages to mix a deep understanding of contemporary art with something very personal and intimate.

“His work is at the same time uncompromising and extraordinarily open for participation, intimate and at the same time public. It truly embodies the fundamental and wonderful uncertainty at the heart of all good art - while bringing together western and ancient Asian cultural traditions. Last, but not the least, I am totally confident that Lee Kit has the capacity to make the best out of the perfectly located, but far from easy, exhibition venue that Hong Kong has in Venice!" Lee Kit was born in Hong Kong in 1978 and during his studies (2001-2006) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, was already selected for a solo exhibition 'Painting Furniture' in Fo Tan. Despite working in many media - painting, video, sculpture, installations and performance-like situations - his works are highly recognisable, often using a subtle pastel colour palette and reflecting on aspects of daily life.
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Lee Kit (right) and Dr Lars Nittve on their co-operation next year.
Recent solo exhibitions include: 'Something in my hands' in Aike-Dellarco Gallery at ART HK 12 where he won the ART FUTURES prize (2012); 'How to set up a room for Johnny' in Osage Gallery as the first Hong Kong artist in Art Statements at Art Basel (2011); and 'Henry' at Western Front, Vancouver (2011). He has participated in group exhibitions across the world including in leading museums, such as Tate Modern in 'No soul for sale' (2010), The Museum of Modern Art, New York in 'Print/Out' (2012) and The New Museum, New York in 'The Ungovernables' (2012).

Dr Nittve has attended the Venice Biennale in a professional capacity since 1980, acting as the official curator for the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish participation in 1993; served as Expert Advisor to the Biennale Director in 1997 and commissioner for the Swedish participation in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Chow Yung-ping, Chief Executive of the HKADC, said, "Through the collaboration, we aim to provide the best environment for our artists to showcase their creativity and talents and to achieve the best exhibition and marketing outcome for Hong Kong's presence at Venice." The HKADC has taken part in the Venice Biennale since 2001 and the past six editions have succeeded in attracting nearly 400,000 visitors.