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<p>It was music for Taylor Swift and Taylor Swift for music at the get-go. The country star turned pop star royalty showed a passion for music at a young age and quickly advanced from parts in children’s theatre to performing in front of a large audience. Before a Philadelphia 76ers basketball game at age 11, she sang The Star-Spangled Banner and the following year she picked up the guitar and started writing songs.</p>


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<p>Swift created original music that expressed her experiences of tween alienation by drawing inspiration from country-music performers like Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks. Her parents, supportive of her ambition for a musical career, sold their farm in Pennsylvania when she was 13 and relocated to Hendersonville, Tennessee, so she could attract the attention of country labels in nearby Nashville.</p>


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<p>Swift met recording-industry veterans through a development arrangement with RCA Records, and in 2004, when she was 14 years old, she signed with Sony/ ATV as a songwriter. She frequently played her own songs at venues in the Nashville region, and it was during one of these performances that record executive Scott Borchetta took note. </p>



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<p>Swift was recruited by Borchetta to his budding Big Machine label, and in the summer of 2006, she released her debut single, Tim McGraw, which was heavily influenced by the teenager’s favourite country musician. And the rest, including her chart-topping discographies, as they say, is history (her story in that case).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Voice for feminism</h3>



<p>When the Grammy Award-winning music video – full of strong women kicking ass – for her iconic hit Bad Blood came back to back with her topping Maxim’s 2015 Hot 100 list, she took a moment to speak out about feminism and equality: “A man writing about his feelings from a vulnerable place is brave; a woman writing about her feelings from a vulnerable place is oversharing or whining. Misogyny is ingrained in people from the time they are born. So, to me, feminism is probably the most important movement that you could embrace, because it’s just basically another word for equality.”</p>


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<p>At the same time, Swift faced criticism for penning too many songs in the past about her ex-boyfriends and other intimate relationships. She finds this critique anti-feminist and no longer has time for it. “When I was a teenager, I would hear people talk about sexism in the music industry, and I’d be like, I don’t see it. I don’t understand. Then I realised that was because I was a kid,” she explains.</p>



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<p>“I didn’t see myself being held back until I was a woman. Or the double standards in headlines, the double standards in the way stories are told, the double standards in the way things are perceived.” She used her 2019 song The Man to emphasise how women and men are treated differently in the industry.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Political pride</h3>



<p>Taylor also wants people to know that she supports the LGBTQ community, having received criticism of inaction in this regard. She claims she has consistently supported the movement through her work and charitable contributions. Clarifying her viewpoint, she says: “I didn’t realise until recently that I could advocate for a community that I’m not a part of. It’s hard to know how to do that without being so fearful of making a mistake that you just freeze.”</p>


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<p>You Need To Calm Down, the smash-hit single from her 2019 album Lover, highlights her support of the LGBTQ community. The music video features Katy Perry, Ellen DeGeneres and iconic drag queens. The whole Lover catalogue was released at midnight on June 1, the beginning of Pride Month, when Swift introduced a petition in support of the US federal Equality Act. This legislation would amend the Civil Rights Act to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.</p>


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<p>Swift also posted a letter to the Republican Lamar Alexander, then the US Senator from Tennessee, asking him to vote yes. The request, on her personal letterhead, denounced President Donald Trump for not supporting the Equality Act. “I personally reject the president’s stance,” Swift wrote. Need she say more?</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Unfashionable authenticity</h3>



<p>Since breaking into the public eye in 2006 as a 16-year-old wunderkind, Swift has become one of the most commercially successful singers of all time. Last year, her songs received 36.6 billion streams, but her aesthetic has never attracted the same kind of attention. Unlike her contemporaries, she isn’t necessarily a fashion icon. She rarely attends Fashion Week and frequently misses the Met Gala. She favours light-blue wash denim shorts, a faded pink vest and unassuming sneakers.</p>


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<p>Despite being quite nondescript, this style is notable for how Taylor Swift really is. Her attire suggests that she may be performing at a local talent show even though she is playing to tens of thousands of fans on a stadium tour. Lots of slogan T-shirts, sparkly bodysuits and prom dresses with meringue skirts. Her current tour, dubbed Eras, is a retrospective of the outfits from each of her 10 studio albums.</p>



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<p>However, a lack of fashion cred is not always a terrible thing. She is a sincere and cinematic hitmaker who effortlessly navigates embarrassing confessionals on Lover and small- town stagnation on Midnight (2022). All of this is done with an unfashionable authenticity.</p>


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<p>Swift is portrayed in pop culture as the wise best friend that her followers wish they had when they were teenagers (the Swifties actually exchange friendship bracelets). She is someone who may have covered their eyelids in glitter after being rejected by their preferred prom date, a person who would take great satisfaction in creating the ideal ‘heartbreak’ sundae with heaped piles of whipped cream, Oreos and chocolate syrup.</p>



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<p>Swift’s songwriting, in contrast to that of so many of her peers, is more likely to make references to her pet cats and a home-for- the-holidays crush than a Hermès bag. And this ordinariness resonates with many more people than perhaps she ever imagined when she first visited Nashville as a child and dreamed of making it big.</p>


Taylor to Perfection: Beyond the guitar strum, blonde locks and sold-out concerts, there is plenty of substance to Taylor Swift’s striking silhouette


<p>The man, the myth, the misogynist – just three of the few words that best describe Pablo Picasso, one of the world’s most celebrated artists of modern times. The many sides of his life and work come under the spotlight this year as institutions around the globe mark the 50th anniversary of the Spanish artist’s death. </p>



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<p>Given that he was originally thought to have stolen the Mona Lisa, it’s safe to assume that the co-founder of Cubism endured early troughs among the peaks of his path to fame. Improbable though it may sound, Picasso was a prime suspect when Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece vanished from the Louvre in 1911. The picture was later found to have been stolen by a former museum employee, but not before Picasso was cast in a doubtful light. It was a low point in what would become a dazzling, high-profile career. </p>


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<p>Ever prolific, Picasso created tens of thousands of works of art, experimented with a bewildering variety of styles, and never stopped innovating. His legacy is still exciting and inspiring to artists and art enthusiasts everywhere, and tributes abound half a century after his passing. </p>



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<p>The governments of Spain and France, where he spent most of his adult life, have partnered for Célébration Picasso 1973-2023, which embraces some 50 exhibitions and events in Europe and North America. Hong Kong joined in the remembrance by showing a glistening selection of his masterpieces in an intriguing medium.</p>


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<p>Sotheby’s, which has championed some of the happenings in this timely retrospective of his work and life, highlights Picasso’s formidable influence as the resident artist of the 20th century – an idiosyncratic eye refracting the turbulence, traumas, dreams and visions of his times into stunning visual statements that challenged convention and still pulsate with energy today.</p>



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<p>Naturally, the Musée National Picasso-Paris is central to the year-long salute; it has already held one tribute show masterminded by British designer Paul Smith, while another from French conceptual artist Sophie Calle begins in October. It also opens a Centre for Picasso Studies in the prestigious and newly renovated quarters of Hôtel de Rohan, a short walk from the museum’s equally storied building in the Marais district. This unique resource for the artist and his subjects combines documentation, a library and archives around a research centre and a digital gateway.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Period pieces</h3>


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<p>When Picasso passed away in 1973, at the age of 91, it was discovered that he kept pieces from all his periods in his 78-year oeuvre. It took seven years to complete an inventory of his works in all media, and many held by his family landed in the hands of the French authorities as payment for inheritance taxes. It was this initial body of work that enabled the Musée National Picasso-Paris to open its doors nearly 40 years ago.</p>


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<p>Olivier Widmaier Picasso, the artist’s grandson, gathered exclusive testimonies, historical records and personal photos from this time to make a new documentary entitled Picasso, The Legacy. Sponsored by Sotheby’s, it is an intimate exposure of the man and the splendour of his artistry.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bohemian romance</h3>


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<p>Another way to glean more about the artist’s life is through ‘Picasso’s Montmartre with Le Meurice, Celebrating 50 Years’, an experience that combines an overnight stay at the grand hotel in Paris with a guided walking tour that propels art enthusiasts back in time to the hedonistic, bohemian era of the Belle Époque. When Pablo Picasso married Russian ballerina and early muse Olga Khokhlova in 1918, the wedding reception was held at the hotel and it was the season’s biggest affair.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-811x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77401" width="608" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-811x1024.jpg 811w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-222x280.jpg 222w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-768x969.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-1217x1536.jpg 1217w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-1622x2048.jpg 1622w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-200x252.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-800x1010.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Femme-Assise_p-scaled.jpg 2028w" sizes="(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /></figure></div>


<p>Le Meurice’s expert guide succeeds in opening minds to the romance and derring-do of the youthful non-conformist in the early 1900s. When he first arrived in Paris, Picasso was regarded with suspicion as a foreigner and watched by the French police for his supposed anarchist leanings. During the walk, anecdotes are shared and landmarks are highlighted while tracing his ootsteps through the cobblestone alleyways of Montmartre where he once lived and painted.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Changing with the ages</h3>


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<p>More than five decades later, in 1961, Picasso married Jacqueline Roque, the face that launched more than 400 portraits completed in the dozen years before his death. Museum Casa Natal Picasso in Málaga, Spain – the artist’s hometown – stages The Ages of Pablo, a chronological and stylistic overview of works from his formative years to the time spent with his second wife.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-1024x842.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77398" width="768" height="632" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-1024x842.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-341x280.jpg 341w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-768x631.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-1536x1263.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-2048x1684.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-200x164.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4.鴿子靜物畫_Still-life-with-pigeon_p-800x658.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Picasso is revealed through his paintings, sketches, sculptures, ceramics and photographs, all of which have enduring value. Demonstrating his dynamic ability to convey life and emotion, the exhibition is divided into eight sections corresponding to the major phases of his art, including ‘Blue and Pink’, ‘Cubism’, ‘Classicism’, ‘Surrealism’, ‘Wartime’ and ‘The Joy of Living’.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Glass act</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-809x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77397" width="607" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-809x1024.jpg 809w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-221x280.jpg 221w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-768x972.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-1213x1536.jpg 1213w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-200x253.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p-800x1013.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4_p.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px" /></figure></div>


<p>Here at home, Hong Kongers were able to join the momentous commemoration as a summer exhibition, Pablo Picasso: Paintings in Glass, threw light on some of his most-known painterly compositions. A collaboration between the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong and the French May Arts Festival, it paid tribute not only to the iconic artist but also to the art form of gemmail.</p>



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<p>A type of stained-glass mosaic developed by French painter Jean Crotti and perfected in the workshop of Roger Malherbe-Navarre, gemmail involves the expert assembly and melting of meticulously chosen pieces of glass. When Picasso first witnessed the gemmistes’ endeavour in 1954, he exclaimed, “A new art is born!” Enthused, he proceeded to layer shards of glass into graphical representations of more than 50 of his existing paintings.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-845x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77394" width="634" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-845x1024.jpg 845w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-231x280.jpg 231w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-768x931.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-1267x1536.jpg 1267w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-1690x2048.jpg 1690w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-200x242.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.瑪麗・泰瑞莎・華特肖像_Portrait-of-Marie-Therese-Walter_p-800x970.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px" /></figure></div>


<p>The 50th anniversary of Picasso’s passing is, above all, a tremendous opportunity to honour his creative legacy while also challenging key events in his life, particularly his relationships with women who became his muses and lovers. “People were happy to be consumed by him,” his daughter Paloma Picasso, the jewellery designer, has said. “They thought it was a privilege. If you get too close to the Sun, it burns you. But the Sun can’t help being the Sun.” As evidenced by many of his life documentations, Picasso cared primarily for his creations, but what creations they were!</p>



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<p>Photos: University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong</p>


Strokes Of Genius: 50 years after his passing, the art world muses on Picasso’s magic and missteps


<p>At a June preview of the Freddie Mercury collection that will shortly be sold by Sotheby’s, the media forms a semicircle around a young woman holding aloft the left shoe of a pair of white high-top sneakers. “These are the shoes Freddie may have performed in at the Live Aid Concert in 1985,” says Gabriel Heaton, a Specialist in the Books and Manuscripts department of the auction house, before clarifying: “However, as there are other pairs which are similar, careful checking indicates that we cannot be certain these are ones used in the Live Aid Concert.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77104" width="750" height="750" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A_pair_of_Adidas_high_top_sneakers_est._3000_-_500_rgb-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure></div>


<p>The fact that these Adidas shoes were worn by the flamboyant Queen frontman during the band’s mid-80s tours is enough, though, to set the room abuzz with excitement. Of all the items on display during the media tour, it is a simple pair of shoes within touching distance that generates the most interest.</p>



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<p>As the ritual of media photo-taking gets underway, there is an almost spiritual, slightly unworldly moment in time, when Freddie himself seems close, like he is being reincarnated in a ghostly apparition. He wore these shoes as he held the audience in the palm of his hand during his mid-80s pomp when he knew his time was short, and every time he stepped onto the stage he was determined to put on the show of his life. Mercury loved the freedom of movement and comfort the high-tops brought him as he strutted, preened and sang like an angel. These sports shoes seem to represent the physical embodiment of a force of nature and everyone in the room wants a part of it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mercury Rising</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="511" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mick_Rock_David_Bowie_and_Mick_Ronson_Lunch_on_Tra_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77115" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mick_Rock_David_Bowie_and_Mick_Ronson_Lunch_on_Tra_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mick_Rock_David_Bowie_and_Mick_Ronson_Lunch_on_Tra_rgb-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mick_Rock_David_Bowie_and_Mick_Ronson_Lunch_on_Tra_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>The Adidas footwear was among 20 highlights from the collection of the flamboyant rock idol showcased in Hong Kong before a series of dedicated auctions to be held at Sotheby’s London from 4 August (online) and during 6-8 September 2023 (live). A portion of the six ‘Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own’ sales will be donated to the Mercury Phoenix Trust – an Aids charity founded by the band after the singer’s death in 1991 – and the Elton John Aids Foundation.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="625" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie_MercuryCus_crown_est._30000_-_40000_1_p_cl_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77106" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie_MercuryCus_crown_est._30000_-_40000_1_p_cl_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie_MercuryCus_crown_est._30000_-_40000_1_p_cl_rgb-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie_MercuryCus_crown_est._30000_-_40000_1_p_cl_rgb-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>Part of the fascination with Freddie Mercury is that he was a complex man with multiple personalities. Heaton talks of how reserved he was, but of how he also loved to hold lavish parties. He points to Mercury’s iconic stage crown thought to be loosely modelled on the coronation crown of St Edward; a life-size picture of the maestro wearing it in his full regal attire forms a striking backdrop. The crown is estimated to sell for £30,000-£40,000 (about HK$300,000-$400,000), and as Heaton notes, Mercury donned it for the final rendition of God Save The Queen at the end of his last performance, at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire, UK, on 9 August 1986, in front of a crowd of more than 120,000.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rhapsody Revelations</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="594" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie21_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77107" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie21_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie21_p_rgb-362x280.jpg 362w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie21_p_rgb-200x155.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>The collection previewed in Hong Kong included handwritten working drafts of lyrics to some of his most famous songs. An early draft for Bohemian Rhapsody, the third best-selling UK single of all time, is written in black and blue ballpoint pen and pencil on stationery from the now defunct British Midlands Airways.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="750" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie3_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77108" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie3_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie3_p_rgb-187x280.jpg 187w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie3_p_rgb-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>This is the song that changed everything for Queen, when the “volcano erupted”, as Mercury put it, and these lyrics are estimated at £800,000-£1.2 million. The page on display (from 15 in total) indicates that he originally planned to call it ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’ – ‘Mongolian’ is crossed out and replaced with the word ‘Bohemian’ – rhythmically similar but with a different resonance, as Heaton points out. The sheets reveal detailed notes on harmonies and the painstaking drafting and redrafting by a man who was modest about his composition process.</p>



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<p>“In these pages we see Freddie Mercury wrestling in grand operatic terms with profound themes – sin, damnation, stoic acceptance – and witness the great efforts he goes to pinpointing precisely the right words to embody these emotions, and to create the most extraordinary narrative,” says Heaton.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Songs Going for a High</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="708" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie5_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77109" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie5_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie5_p_rgb-198x280.jpg 198w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie5_p_rgb-200x283.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>According to the expert, this type of memorabilia often generates huge interest. “The highest prices tend to be for original handwritten lyrics and also musical instruments when they have a significant playing history with a great musician,” he says.</p>



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<p>Referring to the Rhapsody lyrics, he continues, “Early drafts such as these are easily lost or discarded, so the rare survival of these manuscripts provides us with fascinating insights into how his songs were developed and put together, as well as reminding us of their musical complexity and sophistication.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="667" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie15_p_clip_rgb-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77110" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie15_p_clip_rgb-1.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie15_p_clip_rgb-1-210x280.jpg 210w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freddie15_p_clip_rgb-1-200x267.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>Heaton adds: “There are, of course, other valuable items: rare records, stage-worn costumes and other evocative items – I sold a pair of John Lennon’s sunglasses for £137,000 a few years ago.” An ivory-hued satin catsuit inspired by the mythic god, Mercury, which was used in Bohemian Rhapsody’s groundbreaking promotional video is estimated at £50,000–£70,000.</p>



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<p>“In general people pay high prices for music memorabilia for the same reason that they pay high prices for art or ceramics or rare books – because they are passionate about them.” The majority of collectors will have a love for the music they buy into. “Sometimes these are people who collect in other areas, other times they are not – it is the passion for the music that unites them,” notes Heaton.</p>



<p>Music to Collectors’ Ears</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="620" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna4_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77116" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna4_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna4_p_rgb-226x280.jpg 226w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna4_p_rgb-200x248.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>According to Darren Julien, Founder and President of Julien’s Auctions, iconic pieces worn during a stage performance, video or red-carpet event often sell for higher amounts since that appearance is recorded by photographs or on film. There is an element of nostalgia involved. “These items represent a time or a memory in one’s life that drives the bidder at an auction in the hopes of winning and keeping that memory alive,” he says.</p>



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<p>An 18-carat white-gold and diamond Omega wristwatch worn by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, and seen in photographs during his extraordinary career, sold at a 2018 Phillips auction for US$1.8 million (HK$14.09 million) after frenzied bidding, smashing the world record for an Omega.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="600" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-beatles-yellow-submarine-movie-lobby-card_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77112" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-beatles-yellow-submarine-movie-lobby-card_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-beatles-yellow-submarine-movie-lobby-card_p_rgb-358x280.jpg 358w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-beatles-yellow-submarine-movie-lobby-card_p_rgb-200x156.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Julien’s Auctions famously sold the Beatles’ handwritten Hey Jude lyrics in 2020 for US$910,000, nine times its original estimate. The acoustic-electric guitar used by Kurt Cobain at a 1993 MTV Unplugged performance went for US$6 million in 2020, a world record for guitars sold at auction. The US auction house has also sold items from the Rolling Stones and other major stars. “The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cher and Barbara Streisand are all highly collectible and have a huge global audience. But contemporary artists such as BTS are also highly collectible, along with Taylor Swift, Coldplay and even Rosario,” says Julien.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="746" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rolling_Stones_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77113" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rolling_Stones_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rolling_Stones_p_rgb-188x280.jpg 188w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rolling_Stones_p_rgb-200x298.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>Sound Investment Vehicles Pop Rock memorabilia is now regarded as an asset class. “People buy these items not only for the cool factor but also as investment vehicles. Museums also buy iconic pieces and fans are always hoping to win something representing their idols’ life and career.”</p>



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<p>The resale value of iconic pieces is also tremendous, notes Julien: “We sold Kurt Cobain’s green cardigan from MTV Unplugged for US$120,000 in 2015 and resold it in 2019 for $340,000. In 2006 we sold an Elvis Presley belt from the Aloha tour gifted to his friend Jack Lord of Hawaii Five-O for approximately $65,000 and we resold it in 2018 for over $354,000.”</p>



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<p>“Collectibles continue to be highly sought after by a global audience and prices continue to rise with the help of improved technology and social-media awareness. We also see NFTs as a new class of investing in all things celebrity,” adds Julien.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="603" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna3_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77114" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna3_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna3_p_rgb-232x280.jpg 232w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Donna3_p_rgb-200x241.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>Ahead of Sotheby’s Freddie Mercury auction, Heaton notes that the star’s attraction remains undiminished to this day. “Queen’s songs are woven into the fabric of our culture and have an incredibly wide appeal, and Freddie himself is widely acknowledged as amongst the most powerful vocalists in rock history,” he says. In Heaton’s view, the popularity and value of pop memorabilia will not diminish in the foreseeable future. “It is now more than 60 years since the Beatles began recording, and 50 years for Queen. If people still love the music now, I am sure they will do so in another generation.”</p>


Rock on a roll: Generating huge prices at auction, collections of pop memorabilia are hot alternative assets


<p>There was some soul-searching in the Hong Kong academy community upon the release of the 2024 QS World University Rankings, which saw six of the city’s seven institutions on the list slipping backward. Of the two judged to be among the world’s top 50 – compared to three last year – the University of Hong Kong dropped from 21st to 26th, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong fell nine spots to 47th. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) slid from 40th to 60th.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="511" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_School_01_p_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong university" class="wp-image-77034" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_School_01_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_School_01_p_rgb-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_School_01_p_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>To further highlight the cause for alarm, a spokesperson for global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) pointed out that Hong Kong had declined by 60 per cent in the rankings of subjects offered. Hong Kong’s comparative inability to reach out and establish partnerships with overseas varsities was cited as one factor behind the listing downgrade. Changes in the assessment weighting were also deemed to be responsible, along with the introduction of three new metrics – sustainability, employment outcomes and international research network.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Academic conundrum</h3>



<p>Yet, just a couple of weeks later, a separate survey reported an uptick in Hong Kong tertiary education standards. In the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings, five Hong Kong institutions improved or maintained their standings over the previous year. The plight of HKUST perfectly illustrates this academic conundrum. While the Clear Water Bay-based university dropped 20 places in the QS world rankings, it climbed two spots to seventh position on THE’s list, indicating an improvement in performance – albeit as part of an Asian-oriented survey, not a global one.</p>



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<p>A spokesperson for HKUST remained philosophical about the ongoing fluctuations in ranking performance. “Rankings go up and down due to various reasons, and the HKUST will take them as useful references to learn more about our and other universities’ performance and identify areas for improvement,” they said.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="513" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKUST_Students_01_p_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong university" class="wp-image-77035" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKUST_Students_01_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKUST_Students_01_p_rgb-419x280.jpg 419w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKUST_Students_01_p_rgb-200x134.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>The world ranking is just one of the references for evaluating the quality of an institution. Some consider having a proven track record in teaching and research to be of greater significance. The spokesperson said HKUST had demonstrated its capability in teaching and research through numerous recognitions gained by its students and faculty, as well as its many partnerships and collaborations with top public and private institutions worldwide.</p>



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<p>Referring to the Asian ranking, they stated: “As a young university with just 32 years of history, HKUST is pleased that it is constantly ranked among Asia’s top 10 universities in different rankings, and its graduates continue to be ranked by a major ranking agency amongst the most competitive and desirable employees in the global job market. The university will continue to contribute to the academic, research and industrial development of society.”</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414"><em><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/online-courses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elevate Your Skills with the Most In-Demand Online Courses</a></em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rating by subject</h3>



<p>Several global university surveys are published annually. Those by QS Top Universities, THE and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Ranking, are the most widely read and quoted by institutions. In addition to the major ranking bodies, The Times and The Guardian newspapers in the UK, and U.S. News and Forbes in the US provide more specific league tables.</p>



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<p>The big surveys also have sub-rankings that identify universities with high reputations in certain areas above and beyond their overall position. These lists can be surprising. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, for example, occupies number 85 in the QS rankings but rates 15th worldwide for Optometry. The University of Southampton is rated 78th in the world by QS, but sixth best for Nursing.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_61_p_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong university" class="wp-image-77036" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_61_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_61_p_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_61_p_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>A former lecturer at a major Hong Kong university indicates that the worldwide ranking of subjects generates the most concern and interest within the institutions themselves, as it is deemed to reflect the joint efforts of each department.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ranking breakdown</h3>



<p>The way universities are ranked depends on various factors, and the parameters used by the various systems differ slightly. THE, for instance, will consider research volume, income and reputation, and it determines influence in global research by how often papers produced by a university are cited. Among other criteria, QS surveys the academic reputation of the university and considers the employability of its undergraduates. Originally created to determine the global ranking of Chinese universities, the ARWU uses six factors to rank institutions, including the number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals. The list is published by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and updated annually.</p>



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<p>In THE’s methodology, teaching, research and citations contribute 30% each to world ranking. Several assessment methods are used to determine the quality of teaching including self-assessment, student responses and external assessment by lecturers holding doctorates. Research success is assessed by the number of papers published in academic journals and the number of citations – a general indicator of how the university is contributing to the world of knowledge. The impact factor of a journal – its prestige – is also considered.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="503" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_Students_in_Exam_01_p_rgb.jpg" alt="university ranking" class="wp-image-77037" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_Students_in_Exam_01_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_Students_in_Exam_01_p_rgb-428x280.jpg 428w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HK_Students_in_Exam_01_p_rgb-200x131.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>The former Hong Kong University lecturer suggests that in very specialised areas, it can be difficult to reach the required number of citations required by the assessment exercise. She adds: “As both teaching and research are ranked, both aspects are important [to academic staff] for contract renewal and possible promotion.”</p>



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<p>Income for research is factored in as well since most research grants are competitive and are won or lost on the reputation of research team members. Earnings from industry – a barometer of a university’s capability to realise new inventions and transfer technology – are also considered.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Student satisfaction</h3>



<p>Another important consideration is the ability to attract a large proportion of students and faculty from across the world. Regarding student satisfaction, commentators have expressed fears about grade inflation as universities strive to keep students sweet. The former lecturer is quick to dispel such concerns, saying: “Student satisfaction is important as this is reflected in the rankings. Regarding the danger of grade inflation, while it is possible, most lecturers respect the importance of integrity.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_71_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77038" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_71_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_71_p_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_71_p_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Italian exchange student Riccardo Scavone recently attended the University of Hong Kong (HKU) for one semester. He took four courses, two in Accounting, one in Finance and one in Communication, at Hong Kong’s top-ranked tertiary institution. Faced with a host of destination choices for his time overseas, he eventually plumped for Hong Kong. He says: “I chose HKU instead of other universities in Hong Kong for two reasons: the ranking and the location in the city. After having chosen the city, the ranking was the only way to differentiate among universities.”</p>



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<p>He loved his time at the university – both socially and academically. “If I had to give a grade, it would have been a 10 out of 10,” he enthuses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grading façade</h3>



<p>Scavone feels the importance of rankings is overblown. “I reckon the ranking in the majority of the cases is a façade,” he opines. “There is not that much difference between a 20th-ranked uni and a fifth one.”</p>



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<p>That said, he stresses that HKU provides students with a premium experience of high-quality teaching and facilities, and plenty of extracurricular courses to create bonds between students. He also believes its reputation will play an important role when looking for a job.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_32_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77039" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_32_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_32_p_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PG_32_p_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Interestingly, Scavone adds that ranking may be a pivotal criterion for some of his peers – for reasons other than academic. “It is not a matter of obtaining a better education or job placement, but social recognition,” he explains. “Everybody wants to feel approved and respected and, in these terms, attending a top-ranked uni helps in the process.”</p>



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<p>An Indian student revealed she took Journalism at HKU because the department was staffed by experienced journalists. On the reverse side of the coin, Hong Kong-raised Valerie decided to study archaeology at Cardiff University in the UK because there are limited heritage and archaeological sites in Hong Kong. She felt the UK would offer a broader perspective.</p>



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<p>Despite this year’s QS world-ranking setback, Hong Kong is rightly proud of its many excellent universities and academic institutions. Proposals to attract more non-local students to the city’s government-funded universities will add diversity and talent, helping Hong Kong in its drive to become a regional centre for education.</p>



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<p>Photos: Hong Kong University of Science &amp;Technology (HKUST)</p>


Breaking Ranks: The recent reversal of Hong Kong university fortunes illustrates the minefield that is academia grading


<p>Enchanting and enriching 1.3 million visitors in its first year, Hong Kong Palace Museum is an unmissable addition to the Kowloon cityscape. From afar, the grandeur of its distinguished façade draws the eye. Inside its breathtaking space, 12 outstanding exhibitions have held court in as many months, each displaying a wealth of multimedia components, an innovative approach to curating, and a distinctive cultural perspective.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/andrew-yuen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colour Harmony: Andrew Yuen’s Evolution From Boyhood Treasure Hunter To Guardian Of Culture</a></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1.jpg" alt="art and culture" class="wp-image-76991" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>On the occasion of its first anniversary, the HKPM is well into its stride and looking confidently to the future. Since it opened its doors to the public on 3 July 2022, the museum has cultivated strong partnerships in the areas of academic and cultural exchange, in addition to showcasing some of the finest artefacts from its namesake in Beijing and other significant cultural institutions around the globe. Its presence has strengthened the dialogue between world civilisations and Hong Kong’s status as an East-meets-West cultural hub.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G8_3_rgb.jpg" alt="art and culture" class="wp-image-76993" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G8_3_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G8_3_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G8_3_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone. In the past year, the museum has brought moments of delight and amazement to the viewing public. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Palace Museum for loaning such precious objects for display in Hong Kong, and to our donours and patrons for their generous donations and support. Kudos must go to our curatorial and operational teams for their professionalism and dedication. The museum has been empowered by the overwhelming support of the general public and visitors from around the world,” says Winnie Tam Wan-chi, Chairman of the Hong Kong Palace Museum Board. “We vow to continue to present exceptional exhibitions and programmes at the HKPM with the aim of promoting Chinese culture to a global audience, in accordance with the National 14th Five-Year Plan to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G7_1_rgb.jpg" alt="art and culture" class="wp-image-76994" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G7_1_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G7_1_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G7_1_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beijing Assistance</h3>



<p>The Palace Museum in Beijing, which houses an immense collection of classical Chinese art and artefacts, and the West Kowloon Cultural District joined hands to create the Hong Kong Palace Museum in 2015-16. The cooperation was announced in December 2016 and billed as a gift from the central government to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China.</p>



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<p>As a result of the partnership, the Beijing museum lends items to the Hong Kong museum for both long- and short-term exhibitions. For those counting, a total of 914 items from the former’s 1.86-million-strong collection were secured for the HKPM’s inaugural shows.</p>



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<p>The loan is the biggest granted by the Beijing institution since its founding in 1925 and features pottery, jade, bronze, costumes, jewellery, paintings, calligraphy and other national treasures – the majority showing in Hong Kong for the first time. The most priceless pieces appear for three months before being returned home to rest in accordance with established exhibition practice.<br>Hong Kong Exclusive</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb.jpg" alt="art and culture" class="wp-image-76995" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Despite the connection between the two organisations, the Hong Kong museum has forged its own identity. The HKPM team arranges loans from other esteemed institutions besides the Palace Museum. Upon its opening in July last year – one day later than planned due to a typhoon – more than 100 works borrowed from other museums and institutions in Hong Kong, as well as 13 pieces on loan from the Musée du Louvre in Paris, were invitingly in situ.</p>



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<p>Multimedia creations from six local contemporary artists were also presented in its first exhibition, and ongoing efforts have been made to attract young people and foster an understanding of Chinese culture on a global scale.</p>



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<p>The HKPM’s 84,000 square feet of exhibition space are spread across nine galleries over the seven-storey building designed by local architect Rocco Yim. Each gallery has a different topic, such as life, architecture, design, or art in the Forbidden City, where its Beijing counterpart is housed.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong palace museum" class="wp-image-76996" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Now Showing</h3>



<p>In the fifth three-month rotation of treasures on loan from the Palace Museum, 51 splendid works will be exhibited in Galleries 1, 2 and 5 until September 2023. Most pieces in this impressive display have not been seen in Hong Kong before and they aptly mark the HKPM’s first-anniversary milestone. They include two Grade One national treasures: a Ming-dynasty ewer resembling a pine tree and a Qing-dynasty brush pot shaped like a Chinese cabbage by renowned bamboo carvers Pu Cheng and Feng Xijue respectively. These extraordinary works headline the must-see show ‘The Quest for Originality: Contemporary Design and Traditional Craft in Dialogue’ in Gallery 5.</p>



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<p>A recently acquired scene from The Grand Imperial Wedding of the Guangxu Emperor called “Presenting the Empress’s Investiture Book and Seal at the Hall of Union” is one of the highlights of ‘Entering the Forbidden City: Collection, Architecture and Heritage’, the presentation in Gallery 1. It is joined by the only surviving gold seal of an empress in the Palace Museum collection.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong palace museum" class="wp-image-76997" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>In Gallery 2, ‘From Dawn to Dusk: Life in the Forbidden City’ includes “The Maze”, a print from the Twenty Views of European-style Mansions in the Garden of Perfect Brightness series that showcases the magnificent scenery at Yuanmingyuan Park (the Old Summer Palace). This set of Qing-dynasty prints of the famed imperial garden reflects the integration of European and Chinese painting styles and landscaping features at the time.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Gift that Keeps on Giving</h3>



<p>A portion of China’s imperial treasures is housed at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, having been removed from the mainland during the civil war in the 1940s. The HKPM has been looking into potential collaborations with the Taiwan museum, but due to the latter’s rigorous policies regarding the loan of artworks and artefacts abroad, there are presently no plans to share collections.</p>



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<p>However, for the recently minted Director of the HKPM Board, Andrew Yuen, introducing Chinese arts and culture to a wider audience fits his broader vision. “My hope for the Hong Kong Palace Museum still is to be the bridge between the other two ‘Palace-tinians’, between China and Taiwan,” he says.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong palace museum" class="wp-image-76998" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Alluding to the museum’s genesis as an anniversary present to Hong Kong, Yuen adds: “I hope that Hong Kongers can make time to appreciate our rich Chinese culture. After all, the HKPM is built as a gift for us here in Hong Kong, so we should treasure it and feel special about having such a venue.</p>



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<p>“From the moment you step foot in the museum, you will feel its grandeur and importance. This is really one of a kind. The plan, after all, is not to be a branch of the one in Beijing. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is really distinct from its namesake and we plan to keep it that way.”</p>



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<p>Ultimately, the Hong Kong Palace Museum is a public venue that aims to incorporate art into everyday life rather than only being a place for those who study art and culture. It goes beyond.</p>



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<p>Click <a href="https://www.hkpm.org.hk/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to visit the museum.</p>


Palace of Year: One year in, the Hong Kong Palace Museum has forged its own identity as a world-class cultural landmark


<p>Ryan Gosling has generally preferred to keep his cards close to his chest offscreen, in contrast to the thrilling and diverse parade of characters he has portrayed onscreen. From Jewish neo-Nazi in the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning The Believer (2001) and teen psycho-killer in Murder by Numbers (2002) to the romantic lead in The Notebook (2004) and a drug-addicted teacher in Half Nelson (2006), the former child actor showed a mesmerising range at the start of his adult career.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-notebook-ryan-gosling.jpg" alt="the notebook" class="wp-image-76957" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-notebook-ryan-gosling.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-notebook-ryan-gosling-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-notebook-ryan-gosling-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Half Nelson earned him the first of two Academy Award Best Actor nominations; the second came a decade later for the musical La La Land, which landed him a Golden Globe. Nominations for the latter trophy have been plentiful – Lars and the Real Girl (2007), Blue Valentine (2010), The Ides of March and Crazy, Stupid, Love (both 2011). Critics and fans alike hail his standout performance as Ken in this year’s Barbie, opposite Margot Robbie, as deserving of the highest acting accolade.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="471" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/la-la-land.jpg" alt="la la land" class="wp-image-76958" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/la-la-land.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/la-la-land-457x280.jpg 457w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/la-la-land-200x123.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rambo Moment</h3>



<p>Gosling’s fascination with all things dramatic, action-packed and comedic began early in life. Reared in Cornwall, Ontario, the young Canadian watched Sylvester Stallone’s primal and vicious revenge epic First Blood, the original Rambo movie, on videocassette one evening when he was in the first grade. He put the family’s steak knives in his Fisher-Price magic kit the next day, and armed to the teeth, made his way to school, eager to apply the knowledge he had just acquired.</p>



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<p>“I didn’t think it through, you know,” he says, looking back at his foolhardiness. “I just thought, in my mind: This is not right, what is happening, and something has to be done. Thank God, you know, I was suspended. I should have been. My mother was mortified. And it was like reality came in. I had to get control of my imagination.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="432" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crazystupidlove_onsetfeat_hd.jpg" alt="crazy, stupid, love" class="wp-image-76965" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crazystupidlove_onsetfeat_hd.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crazystupidlove_onsetfeat_hd-498x280.jpg 498w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crazystupidlove_onsetfeat_hd-200x113.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Music to movies</h3>



<p>The acclaimed actor is a talented singer, too. At age 12, he went on his first audition for a role in The Mickey Mouse Club. He was cast as a Mouseketeer and later shared the TV screen with future stars Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. He frequently sang on the show and was supposedly invited to join The Backstreet Boys by band member AJ McLean, his then-next-door neighbour. In 2007, Gosling released his own music and started an indie rock group called Dead Man’s Bones.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="403" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mickey-mouse-club.jpg" alt="Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera" class="wp-image-76960" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mickey-mouse-club.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mickey-mouse-club-534x280.jpg 534w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mickey-mouse-club-200x105.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>One of his great bait and switches is that, despite the fact that it’s obvious there are many deep, dark and bizarre things churning inside of him as an artist, his face and behaviour give the impression of a regular guy. From First Blood to other less violent pictures, movies clearly helped shape his young mind. Over time, they beckoned him toward them.</p>



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<p>“When I saw Dumbo and The Elephant Man, I felt like those films were smashing down some wall inside of me and creating a room called empathy,” he says. “And being very grateful for having seen those films even though they were painful, and the idea of watching them again was scary because I didn’t know that I wanted to feel those things again, but it did feel different after seeing them. Like they had exposed some part of myself to me that I didn’t know was there.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="526" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_with_dog_p_rgb.jpg" alt="ryan gosling" class="wp-image-76961" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_with_dog_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_with_dog_p_rgb-409x280.jpg 409w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_with_dog_p_rgb-200x137.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>He credits his uncle, who was an Elvis impersonator, with setting him on the road to performing. “I remember things being very mundane until he came [for an extended stay], and suddenly he was wearing a jumpsuit around the house and talking like Elvis, putting together a show and putting my mom as a backup singer and my father as head of security,” he recalls. “And all our family was coming around, making costumes… family members that didn’t necessarily talk before. It just brought everyone together. I was in the act – I handed out teddy bears and scarves.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="946" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_standing_p_rgb.jpg" alt="ryan gosling" class="wp-image-76962" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_standing_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_standing_p_rgb-227x280.jpg 227w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ryan_Gosling_standing_p_rgb-200x246.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fame and fatherhood</h3>



<p>The grownup Ryan Gosling has made it known that his family comes before his job. The 42-year-old has two daughters, Esmeralda, aged eight, and seven-year-old Amada with long-time partner Eva Mendes. Supporting child-soldier awareness group Invisible Children and the Enough Project, which works to end genocide, he has long campaigned against the conflicts in Central Africa. His own children had a big impact on his choice to star in the Netflix action thriller The Gray Man last year, and he intends to introduce his daughters to his work through the widely acclaimed Barbie.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="764" height="455" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ken-1.jpg" alt="barbie ken" class="wp-image-76964" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ken-1.jpg 764w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ken-1-470x280.jpg 470w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ken-1-200x119.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px" /></figure></div>


<p>Gosling, who plays the iconic Ken doll, explains: “Barbie was a way to do that. Not necessarily like I’m making it for them, but it’s the first time I think they kind of are understanding it. Although, they can’t for the life of them understand why I want to play Ken because nobody plays with Ken. But that’s why we must tell his story.”</p>



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<p>The Barbie promo cycle has branded Ken as just some guy. He’s not just any person, though; he’s Ken; and that’s what exactly the creator and director of the Barbie movie intended it to be. Along with a legion of Kens defending their right to own some kind of personality, Gosling performs a massive 1980s’ power ballad. Incredibly blonde and impossibly ripped, Ken pulls himself together and finds some value in himself through words of self affirmation. “I’m just Ken and I’m enough / And I’m great at doing stuff,” he sings.</p>



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<p>It’s an apt line for the actor as well as the character. In real life and in his chosen craft, Ryan Gosling has proven to be one of the greats.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#e0228be8"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/barbie-actress-margot-robbie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbie Composition: Margot Robbie adds another layer of character to her versatile body of work</a></p>


Gosling the Great: Whether a psychopath, action hero or action figure, there is no character Ryan Gosling cannot master


<p>As one of the world&#8217;s most bustling and vibrant cities, Hong Kong&#8217;s social scene is renowned for its luxurious venues and exclusive clubs. With so many options to choose from, we&#8217;ve compiled a list of the most prestigious and affluent private clubs in the city. Whether you&#8217;re looking for a place to relax and network or a venue for some entertainment, our guide will help you discover the best private clubs that Hong Kong has to offer and how you can become a member of them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Hong Kong Country Club</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Hong-Kong-Country-Club.jpg" alt="hong kong clubs" class="wp-image-76654" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Hong-Kong-Country-Club.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Hong-Kong-Country-Club-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Hong-Kong-Country-Club-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Founded in the early 1960s, the Hong Kong Country Club was created with the sole initiation to create a space where people of different nationalities and races can come without being judged. As a result, the private club continues to host a diverse group of members who can all take advantage of the club’s facilities, including the different sports centres, recreation rooms, video library, restaurants and more. Besides, the club’s view of Deep Water Bay and its serene atmosphere make it the ideal place for people looking to escape from Hong Kong’s otherwise bustling scene.</p>



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<p><strong>Membership Requirements: </strong>Applicant should have been staying in Hong Kong for a minimum of three months.<br><strong>Membership Process: </strong>A person who has been a member for at least three years should fill in the necessary forms provided by the club and submit them along with reference letters, after which the club will consider the applicant for membership.<br><strong>Membership Fees: </strong>An entrance fee of HK$600,000 and a monthly fee of HK$2800.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Royal-Hong-Kong-Yacht-Club.jpg" alt="hong kong clubs" class="wp-image-76655" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Royal-Hong-Kong-Yacht-Club.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Royal-Hong-Kong-Yacht-Club-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Royal-Hong-Kong-Yacht-Club-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club exclusively welcomes members who are not just passionate about rowing and sailing, but also have participated in one of the sports. In addition to being able to take part in monthly rowing or sailing activities, a member here will also get to enjoy other perks such as getting swimming lessons, personal fitness sessions, taking part in scuba diving, and more.</p>



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<p><strong>Membership Requirements:</strong> Applicant should be over 18 years and have prior experience in sailing or rowing to apply for an ordinary individual membership.<br><strong>Membership Process: </strong>Once the applicant shows their proof of experience, the club will consider them for membership. However, the club has currently reached its maximum quota so new applicants may have to wait for more than six months unless they are someone who has won trophies, then they will be granted membership without having to wait.<br><strong>Membership Fee:</strong> An entrance fee of HK$109,200 and a monthly fee of about HK$2000.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Clearwater-Bay-Golf-and-Country-Club.jpg" alt="hong kong clubs" class="wp-image-76656" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Clearwater-Bay-Golf-and-Country-Club.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Clearwater-Bay-Golf-and-Country-Club-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Clearwater-Bay-Golf-and-Country-Club-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Another club which is in a primarily secluded location is The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club which is known for its 18-hole golf course and other facilities such as the golf simulators, a large swimming pool that can contain up to 300 people, air-conditioned sports rooms and others that make the club a go-to place for golf enthusiasts. The golf course here has even ranked as one of the best in the world, even receiving appreciation from Olympic medalist Justin Rose.</p>



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<p><strong>Membership Requirement:</strong> Two existing members should recommend the applicant to the club committee.<br><strong>Membership Process: </strong>The prospective member should attend an interview for them to be considered to join the club.<br><strong>Membership Fee: </strong>HK$6 million.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Dynasty Club</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="372" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Dynasty-Club.jpg" alt="private clubs" class="wp-image-76657" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Dynasty-Club.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Dynasty-Club-578x280.jpg 578w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Dynasty-Club-200x97.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Catering to an audience who strives to have the best of everything – wellness, sports, or gastronomy is The Dynasty Club which accordingly has some of the best sports facilities, including a squash court, an aerobics studio, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and more. For those who love to wine and dine, there is a selection of fine dining cuisines allowing its members to enjoy delectable dishes.</p>



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<p><strong>Membership Requirement: </strong>An applicant should be over 21 years old.<br><strong>Membership Process:</strong> Applicant should fill in a form provided by the club and provide any other additional information the club may ask before the executive committee reviews the application.<br><strong>Membership Fee: </strong>An entrance fee of HK$900,000 and a monthly fee of HK$2450.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Aberdeen Marina Club</h3>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="484" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Aberdeen-Marina-Club.jpg" alt="private clubs" class="wp-image-76658" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Aberdeen-Marina-Club.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Aberdeen-Marina-Club-444x280.jpg 444w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Aberdeen-Marina-Club-200x126.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Whether you want to get the most relaxing massage or break a sweat by participating in sports, The Aberdeen Marina Club is perfect for people of different activity levels. The club hosts regular events, that range from VR zones to ice skating sessions, thus ensuring that its members have something fun to do with their family.</p>



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<p><strong>Membership Process: </strong>An applicant can only apply if they are invited to do so by the club.<br><strong>Membership Fee:</strong> An entrance fee of HK$4.2 million and a monthly fee of HK$2600.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hong Kong Aviation Club</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="510" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hong-Kong-Aviation-Club.jpeg" alt="private clubs" class="wp-image-76659" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hong-Kong-Aviation-Club.jpeg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hong-Kong-Aviation-Club-422x280.jpeg 422w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hong-Kong-Aviation-Club-200x133.jpeg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>If you are interested in taking flying lessons or aims to get a pilot license, then you may want to join this club that caters to aviation enthusiasts. The club has a selection of fleets that range from two-seaters to five-seaters so that its members can get private one-on-one lessons or take a private jet on a round. While other services such as dining, sports and recreation are available on all days, flights are available for flying only on weekends.</p>



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<p><strong>Membership Requirement:</strong> Two existing members should recommend the applicant to the club committee.<br><strong>Membership Process: </strong>Applicant should fill in the membership form that is available on the club’s official website for the general committee to review.<br><strong>Membership Fee:</strong> An entrance fee of HK$80,000 and a monthly fee of HK$2000.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/private-jet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Private jet-setting in elevated style is the hot ticket across a reopened world</a></p>


Step into peak luxury with membership in Hong Kong’s Most Exclusive Private Clubs


<p>For those of you who are looking to broaden your horizons, learn new skills, or enhance your knowledge, online learning is undoubtedly a powerful tool that can expand your opportunities and transform your future. With an abundance of educational resources available on the internet, even offered by top universities, it can be challenging to determine which courses are worth your attention. That is why, we&#8217;ve handpicked the best online courses that offer top-quality educational experiences. Whether you&#8217;re seeking to advance your career or develop your creativity, we&#8217;ve curated a list of courses that cater to different interests. Continue reading to check them out.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Business Analysis</h3>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/business-analysis.jpg" alt="certification courses" class="wp-image-76638" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/business-analysis.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/business-analysis-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/business-analysis-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Whether you are determined to start your own business or going to take over your family’s, taking online courses in business analysis can be very useful for you. This course will teach you to make informed and well-calculated decisions for your brand or company based on data. In other words, you will gain knowledge in breaking down different aspects of your business and creating visual data to identify weak points so that you can make improvements.</p>



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<p><strong>Best Business Analyst Course: Harvard Business Analytics Programme</strong></p>



<p>Taught by professors from the prestigious Ivy League school, the Harvard Business Analytics Programme is certainly one of the best in the field because you will be trained in both the analytical and application aspects, thus learning not only to map out data but using the results to escalate your company’s profits too. Moreover, this particular course also prepares you to excel in a technology-forward world as the course will include modules on blockchain, artificial intelligence and more.</p>



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<p><strong>Cost: </strong>US$51,500 (HK$402,000)<br><strong>Duration:</strong> 9 months<br><strong>Weekly Commitment: </strong>10 to 20 hours<br>Click <a href="https://pll.harvard.edu/course/harvard-business-analytics-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here </a>to enrol in the course.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Artificial Intelligence</h3>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="513" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AI-1.jpg" alt="certification courses" class="wp-image-76639" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AI-1.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AI-1-419x280.jpg 419w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AI-1-200x134.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>With ongoing conversations and fear about which occupations will be replaced by artificial intelligence in the future, there is one surefire way to take advantage of AI, especially with more companies trying to implement AI to improve the efficiency of their work. It is signing up for online courses that teach you to create AI programmes that will aid people in performing their daily tasks. Besides, AI is not just used in office spaces, it is also being used in other sectors such as banking, transportation and more.</p>



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<p><strong>Best Artificial Intelligence Course: AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization by IBM</strong></p>



<p>Perfect for people who have a new-found curiosity in artificial intelligence but have no background in IT (Information Technology) or coding, this course offered by IBM teaches all the basics you will need to know. The activity-based programme is divided into three parts – introduction to AI, understanding the AI platform IBM Watson AI and creating AI programmes – that allow you to develop a chatbot using the IBM Watson AI.</p>



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<p><strong>Cost: </strong>US$137 (HK$1070) for an annual subscription<br><strong>Duration: </strong>3 months<br><strong>Weekly Commitment:</strong> 2 hours<br>Click <a href="https://www.coursera.org/specializations/ai-foundations-for-everyone?action=enroll#outcomes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to enrol in the course.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Transform or Die: Now a chatter of fact not science fiction, AI is changing the human experience</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Music Instrument</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/music-instrument.jpg" alt="online courses" class="wp-image-76640" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/music-instrument.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/music-instrument-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/music-instrument-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>If you are someone who is passionate about music and has wanted to learn to play a musical instrument, then you can join a course to check that off your wish list. You can learn to play the guitar, an ukulele, a flute, a piano or any instrument of choice and it doesn’t matter whether you will be producing music for your very own entertainment or you will be selling your compositions and making money out of it.</p>



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<p><strong>Best Music Instrument Course: MasterClass</strong></p>



<p>MasterClass is a coveted online learning platform that prides itself on offering online courses that are taught by industry experts and so will be the case if you plan to learn music on this website. Some of the music classes that MasterClass has to offer include vocal training with Mariah Carey, songwriting with John Legend, ukulele with Jake Shimabukuro, electric guitar with Tom Morello, and many more with leading artists as your teacher.</p>



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<p><strong>Cost:</strong> US$120 (HK$940) for an annual subscription<br><strong>Duration: </strong>anywhere between 2 to 10 hours<br>Click <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/categories/music-entertainment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to enrol in a course.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/bandlab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BandLab – The One-Stop Creative Social Platform For Every Musician</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Screenwriting</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="750" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screenwriting.jpg" alt="online courses" class="wp-image-76641" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screenwriting.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screenwriting-187x280.jpg 187w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screenwriting-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>For those creative minds who have an interesting story that they wish to turn into a movie or series, or dream to join the writing team of a television network, you should take a screenwriting course. Taking a course in screenwriting will teach you to write a script that will allow any reader to envision a story based on dialogues and descriptions. Simultaneously, a screenwriting course will also prepare you to write full-fledged scripts in a limited time period because once you start writing professionally, you will have to meet tight deadlines.</p>



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<p><strong>Best Screenwriting Course: Writing a TV Series and Screenwriting for Films by AFTRS</strong></p>



<p>The Australian Film Television and Radio School trains people who would like to work in the entertainment industry, particularly those who want to work behind the scenes. As a result, it offers a range of courses, including ones that will give you an insight into screenwriting and have you ready to write your own script. Based on whether you want to write for a movie or TV show, you can pick the right option and learn how to develop different characters and multiple storylines in a single script.</p>



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<p><strong>Cost: </strong>AU$1400 (HK$7400)<br><strong>Duration: </strong>10 weeks</p>



<p><strong>Weekly Commitment: </strong>2 hours<br>Click <a href="https://www.aftrs.edu.au/short-course/writing-a-tv-series-online/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here </a>to enrol in the course.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Social Media Marketing</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/social-media-marketing.jpg" alt="online courses" class="wp-image-76642" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/social-media-marketing.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/social-media-marketing-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/social-media-marketing-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Though anyone can create a social media account, not everyone can make a full-fledged career out of it. Imagine being able to post a single photo on your Instagram page and earning thousands of dollars for it. That would be possible if you understand social media marketing and learn how to get the best out of your social media posts by increasing your reach and engagement on different platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Meta and others.</p>



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<p><strong>Best Social Media Marketing Course: Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate</strong></p>



<p>What better place to learn about social media than from Meta itself which runs Facebook and Instagram. Through this course, you will familiarise yourself with maximising the potential of your profile so that you can drive more traffic to your page and posts. Simultaneously, you will also learn how to create ad campaigns that will help you get the results of your expectations.</p>



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<p><strong>Cost: </strong>US$59 (HK$460) for a monthly subscription<br><strong>Duration: </strong>4 months<br><strong>Weekly Commitment: </strong>3 hours<br>Click <a href="https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/facebook-social-media-marketing?trk_ref=articleProductCard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here </a>to enrol in the course.</p>


Elevate Your Skills with the Most In-Demand Online Courses


<p>Margot Robbie wasn’t a huge Barbie lover growing up. The Australian actress who conquered Hollywood with seeming ease in her early 20s is unsure if she ever even had a Barbie doll. She spent a lot of time in Queensland, preparing mud pies with her cousin, playing with trucks and constructing forts.</p>



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<p>The fashion sense came later; Robbie’s strong, glam femininity is currently being honoured in the Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion exhibition at Australia’s National Museum of Screen Culture, alongside other female screen icons who have taken creative control and shaped their own image. “The clothes are a huge part of this movie and a huge part of Barbie,” she says. “It’s super superficial – but it’s incredibly profound at the same time. Everything in this movie had to be authentically artificial.”</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#e0228be8">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/barbie-at-60" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbie at 60: We salute several of her more intriguing incarnations</a></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="569" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1345724.jpg" alt="Barbie actress" class="wp-image-76514" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1345724.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1345724-378x280.jpg 378w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1345724-200x148.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Transformed into a fantasy comedy directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women), Barbie hits cinemas this month. The Barbie actress not only plays the lead Barbie character (opposite Ryan Gosling as the main Ken) but also pulls the production strings through her company, LuckyChap Entertainment.</p>



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<p>The actress, who turns 33 this month, has already had a career filled with memorable movie roles and, in real Barbie fashion, red-carpet looks. She got her start on the popular Australian soap, Neighbours, then quickly relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her Hollywood ambitions. Her rapid rise continued, as she was able to share credits with a number of well-known actors and filmmakers during her first few years in the US, earning praise from both the public and critics.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Life is her creation</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="335" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-5_edit.jpg" alt="Harley quinn" class="wp-image-76516" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-5_edit.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-5_edit-642x280.jpg 642w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-5_edit-200x87.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Straight away, Margot Robbie landed top billing beside Christina Ricci in the period TV series Pan Am (2011), then appeared in the time-travel romantic comedy About Time, and shone alongside Leonardo di Caprio in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). She won the hearts of the DC Comics faithful with her portrayal of villainess Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad (2016), a role she reprised in 2020 for Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and again in The Suicide Squad the following year.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#e0228be8">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/the-wolf-of-wall-street-suicide-squad-margot-robbies-evolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How well do you know ‘The Suicide Squad’ actress Margot Robbie?</a></p>



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<p>Robbie garnered her first Oscar nod for her complex portrayal of controversial US figure skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya (2018), and then regularly landed award-season nominations – including Bafta supporting actress shots for her performance as Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) and her work in Bombshell (2019). The latter also brought in a second Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe shout-out.</p>



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<p>While taking home a top award still eludes her, there is no question that Robbie will dominate the big screen for years to come. Acting is not her only concern, though; through her behind-the-scenes work as a producer, she has become a powerful advocate for women in Hollywood.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="573" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tonya.jpg" alt="Margot Robbie" class="wp-image-76515" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tonya.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tonya-375x280.jpg 375w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tonya-200x149.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beyond the Barbie world</h3>



<p>Co-founded by Robbie in 2014 with three friends – one of whom, Briton Tom Ackerley, became her husband – LuckyChap has been committed to producing compelling female tales and assembling teams of female artists. These include I, Tonya, and multi-Oscar nominee Promising Young Woman, written and directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Carey Mulligan. More doors are being opened for women in Hollywood by Robbie and co., and she is also promoting women’s rights in the industry on her own platform. She has been an outspoken proponent of the #MeToo movement and has pushed to make the film industry a safer place.</p>



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<p>Reflecting on her own self-education about the prevalence of misogyny in the workplace, she says: “It horrified me just how that particular crime plays in the grey area. That’s where it really flourishes when a situation isn’t black and white, and that’s when insidious people like Roger Ailes [as depicted in Bombshell] or Harvey Weinstein take advantage of that grey area.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="620" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1004950.jpg" alt="Barbie actress" class="wp-image-76518" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1004950.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1004950-347x280.jpg 347w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1004950-200x161.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>She is passionate about getting women involved in action movies since that particular genre is where the big money is. “Also, the perception that women aren’t interested in action is ridiculous,” she adds.</p>



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<p>With the industry on the precipice of great change, Robbie finds herself not in the position of the burgeoning film starlet that she was a decade ago, but an executive producer making tectonic shifts to break the patriarchal mould.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Never going out of style</h3>



<p>And then there’s her influence through fashion, which is a way of expression but also a powerful key for change. Empowering women through fashion is something strong and possible.</p>



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<p>Barbie makes her own statement by dressing with intention. She doesn’t dress for the day; she dresses for the task, which might involve a leisure activity or a form of employment. In the official movie trailer, one scene stands out as it pokes fun at the way the Barbie universe seems to blur such distinctions.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="691" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-9.jpg" alt="Barbie actress" class="wp-image-76517" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-9.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-9-203x280.jpg 203w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wallpaperflare.com_wallpaper-9-200x276.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>Stepping into the shoes of stereotypical Barbie, Robbie describes what makes her special beyond the many clothes she gets to wear: “[Wonder Woman actress] Gal Gadot is [the inspiration for] Barbie energy. Gal Gadot is so impossibly beautiful, but you don’t hate her for being that beautiful, because she’s so genuinely sincere, and she’s so enthusiastically kind, that it’s almost dorky. Yes, she can wear a short skirt, but because it’s fun and pink. Not because she wants you to see her butt.”</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#e0228be8">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/gal-power" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gal Power: Gal Gadot shatters superhero glass ceiling with Wonder Woman Debut</a></p>



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<p>When the acclaimed actress is not in character, she is often checking the websites of train companies as travelling on the Orient Express was on her bucket list for a long time. “All I want to do is live on a train,” she says. “You literally wake up and you open the window, [you are in Switzerland] and it looks like The Sound of Music.”</p>



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<p>Margot Robbie is at full speed and in the driver’s seat of her childhood dream of making it big in Hollywood. With Barbie, an intriguing cinematic take on a past childhood icon, it’s clear that the actress-producer won’t be hitting the brakes any time soon. Or as Barbie would say, live your dream.</p>


Barbie Composition: Margot Robbie adds another layer of character to her versatile body of work


<p>Acquiring the greatest of the best is a matter of sheer luxury for some collectors. So, to take it to the next level, why not go for a noteworthy number plate if you already have a fantastic collection of vintage cars or stable of elite speed machines? To most of us, a vehicle licence plate is a simple stamped piece of metal with an identification number. But to the connoisseur, it is a gateway to prestige and swagger.</p>



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<p>In Hong Kong, you don’t have to be a big spender to score a PVRM (personalised vehicle registration mark). At a government auction held at the beginning of the year, HK$11,000 (US$1,400) was paid for the EL0NMUSK plate. Other attention-grabbing car licence plates included BAD G1RL, LATTE and SHADYB1Z. The registration mark 1 HH scored the highest bid, earning HK$115,000 (US$14,700) for the Transport Department.</p>



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<p>It is at the next gear of the game when prices start to accelerate and it is a hot market. Millions of dollars have been paid by Hong Kong residents for a single desired plate. The number 18 sold for HK$16.5 million (US$ 2.1 million) in 2008, and 28 fetched $18.1 million (US$ 2.3 million) in 2016.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="476" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9_p.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76430" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9_p.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9_p-200x124.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9_p-452x280.jpg 452w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>That sounds like a wildly exorbitant amount of money (and it is) for a small metal plate, but there’s no mystery why those big bucks changed hands. In Cantonese, ‘28’ sounds similar to the words for ‘easy’ and ‘to prosper’, so the number is thought to bring good fortune to its owner.</p>



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<p>A plate with just the letter R – considered to have positive connotations in Chinese fortunetelling – was sold this year for HK$25.5 million (US$3.2 million). This is just shy of the record price for a PVRM, which was achieved in 2021 when a bidder paid HK$26 million (US$3.3 million) for a plate with the sole letter W.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top Down’s Top-Up</h3>



<p>For some, a rare licence plate is a declaration of stature. A single-digit plate can say more about social standing than a garage full of expensive cars. Vanity licence plates also have sentimental value for owners. Property tycoon Cecil Chao bought his CEC1L plate for a comparatively low price of about HK$20,000 (US$2,550) in 2007. It currently adorns his burgundy and silver Rolls-Royce.</p>



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<p>Additionally, Chao owns a Bentley with the letters CHAO inscribed front and back and a convertible Rolls-Royce bearing the number 4. Four is an unfortunate number in Cantonese and Mandarin because it sounds like the word for ‘death’, but not for the Shanghai-born magnate. He notes: “In Shanghainese, number four (sounds like) ‘happiness’ ¬– this is my philosophy of life.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Registration Rush</h3>



<p>The Hong Kong Transport Department has auctioned off more than 40,000 PVRMs since 2006, with starting bids of HK$5,000 (US$640). Interested parties must first find out if the department’s which can have a maximum of eight characters (including spaces). After the registration mark is approved, it is put up for auction.</p>



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<p>Every January, May and September since the PVRM scheme was introduced in 2006, auctions have been held for personalised marks and more conventional licence-plate numbers to be sold to the highest bidders. From there, it became a phenomenon of its own. Are we a trailblazer in this aspect? Definitely. Is the rest of the world laughing at us? Maybe.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="477" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DEBORAH_p.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76432" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DEBORAH_p.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DEBORAH_p-200x124.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DEBORAH_p-451x280.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Need for Deed</h3>



<p>Local celebrities and businesspeople want to add a PVRM to their vehicles to make them more unique. Since the scheme’s inception more than 15 years ago, a large number of licence-plate combinations have been sold at auction for prices that are nothing short of astounding. Whether or not the superstitious owners of lucky registration marks requirements are met by their proposed plate. The letters I, O and Q are prohibited from being included in licence plates, will actually experience good fortune is unknown, but the Hong Kong charities that benefit from these sales are undoubtedly better off. Funds raised through the auction of vehicle registration marks after the deduction of operation expenses go to the Lotteries Fund, a government body that finances social welfare projects and services through grants, loans and advances.</p>



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<p>So why is this an instant phenomenon? It’s quite likely to be a guilt thing. As one of the billionaire cities of the world, Hong Kong has no shortage of ultra-rich individuals. According to a marketing study titled ‘Licensing Effect in Consumer Choice’, people who behave or feel altruistically are more likely to go on to purchase luxury products because of subconscious moral self-licensing ¬– giving to others makes people feel less guilty about getting something for themselves. It becomes easier to justify the purchase of a luxury item after a charitable act.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="428" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Beatles_p.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76433" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Beatles_p.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Beatles_p-200x111.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Beatles_p-502x280.jpg 502w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Feeling Lucky</h3>



<p>But there’s also cultural reasoning behind the acquisition of personalised plates. Though Hong Kong is considered to be one of the first pioneering modern cities, it has long clung to many of the traditions and superstitions of its cultural heritage. Performing ‘lucky’ actions gives people a sense of control. Religion, science and superstition can help us feel less anxious and more comfortable in a world that seems increasing out of control. Hong Kong is not a particularly religious place, so to feel better, there’s a need to rely on either science or superstition.</p>



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<p>The city’s superstitious beliefs are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Superstitions may be updated over time when people know better how certain things work, but there is no anticipation that these beliefs will go away completely. Since people can never have full control over their life, swearing by the use of lucky numbers, phrases and customs is here to stay. Hence, if and when desirable licence plates like multiple 8s come up for auction, records will be smashed.</p>



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<p>And of course, there’s always the cool factor as a motivation for splashing out – where you get to flaunt your unique number plate around the city. Given the slow pace of progress through heavy traffic, especially during rush hour, plenty of people will have time to admire it.</p>


Prime Numbers: In Hong Kong, a personalised car registration puts you on the fast track to prestige


<p>For many, the passing of Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997 marked the definitive end of the British Empire upon which the sun never set. However, in this Coronation Year, there remain 14 remnants of an empire which at its height a century ago was the foremost global power. These small islands and areas have been known since 2002 as the British Overseas Territories (BOTs), and while they are not part of the United Kingdom, they have constitutional and historical links with Britain and form one realm under King Charles III, along with the UK and its Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man).&nbsp;</p>



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<p>The tiny territories are spread around the globe with a total population of about 260,000. Though small in both size and population, some play a huge role in the global economy or have geopolitical or military significance far beyond their geographic area. The 14 comprise Anguilla; Bermuda; British Antarctic Territory; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands; and UK Sovereign Base Areas.&nbsp;</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="768" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Referendum_01_p.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76336" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Referendum_01_p.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Referendum_01_p-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Referendum_01_p-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Referendum_01_p-280x280.jpg 280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sovereignty Secured&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Since giving Brunei independence in 1984 and signing the agreement to hand over Hong Kong in the same year, Britain has not conceded any further territory overseas. Nevertheless, the sovereignty of some BOTs is disputed by neighbouring countries. Most notably, the UK has agreed to enter negotiations with Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Archipelago that comprises the British Indian Ocean Territory, home to the strategically vital island of Diego Garcia. Two other territories reaffirmed their British status by overwhelming margins in local referendums – Gibraltar in 1967 and 2002, and the Falklands in 2013.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>There is no one reason why territories choose to retain UK sovereignty. “St Helena and Montserrat don’t have viable economies and could not survive without the large amounts of UK aid they receive,” says Craig Brewin, an inclusive development consultant and former director of the Montserrat Red Cross. Brewin serves as Head of Research for Friends of the British Overseas Territories, an organisation that raises awareness within the UK of the BOTs.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>One great advantage of the BOTs is their natural beauty. “They are all beautiful, with incredible biodiversity, unique cultures and their own histories,” notes Brewin. “The weather is predictably warm in most cases. Some are easier to get to than others, some are very expensive to visit, but there is something for everyone. Anguilla is known for its high-end facilities, and Montserrat for its villas.”&nbsp;</p>



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<p>A recent communique by the Red Ensign Group, the shipping registry for the UK, BOTs and Crown Dependencies, affirms that each member takes its responsibilities to protect its land and beautiful coastlines very seriously.&nbsp;</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Friends-of-the-British-Overseas-Territoris-02_p.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76332" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Friends-of-the-British-Overseas-Territoris-02_p.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Friends-of-the-British-Overseas-Territoris-02_p-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Friends-of-the-British-Overseas-Territoris-02_p-420x280.jpg 420w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bullish Bermuda&nbsp;</h3>



<p>In the wealthy territory of Bermuda, murmurings about becoming an independent nation began in the 1960s. However, the notion was rejected by a 1995 referendum, in a nod to the perceived benefits of continued UK association, particularly the protection and stability that this offers. “Despite their wealth, they are still small in population and there is a commercial risk associated with becoming completely independent,” says Brewin.</p>



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<p>Boasting the third-highest GDP per capita in the world, Bermuda has carved a niche for itself as a reinsurance hub. S&amp;P Global Ratings noted recently that Bermuda had become the domicile of choice for global reinsurance startups, offering advantages such as adaptable legislation and regulation, tax efficiency, established infrastructure and proximity to the US, the largest reinsurance market in the world. Institutional stability and its track record of implementing reforms to ensure sustainable finances and economic growth were also cited.&nbsp;</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cayman Cachet&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The Cayman Islands is another wealthy BOT with a well-developed financial sector. Long-time resident Daniel Altneu, Managing Associate of law firm Bedell Cristin Cayman Partnership, highlights the benefits of British sovereignty. “Along with a host of historical, cultural and social ties, and an ability for residents to obtain full British citizenship, retaining that link affords each BOT with a significant degree of protection, security, support and resources whilst enabling them to be largely self-governed,” he says.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Altneu believes the UK link is vital to the success of the Caymans. “The additional stability that UK oversight provides is integral to Cayman’s reputation as one of the world’s leading offshore financial centres,” he says. “As a result, a growing number of wealthy individuals are relocating themselves and their families, businesses, assets and structures to Cayman, which in turn has farreaching economic benefits for the country and its people.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>“Cayman boasts one of the highest GDP’s and standards of living in the world generally. Due to our traditional values of community and privacy, it is a safe and secure place to live. Residents are further attracted by its tax neutrality, natural beauty, well-developed infrastructure, stable government, strong rule of law, elite health services and education and cosmopolitan outlook.”&nbsp;</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FloraDuffy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76330" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FloraDuffy.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FloraDuffy-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FloraDuffy-420x280.jpg 420w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offshore Might&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The growth and financial influence of Britain’s network of offshore financial centres such as the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda has come under review in recent years. Interestingly, the BBC suggested the rise of this offshore network was by accident, not design. In a bid to stem the outflow of sterling following the 1956 Suez Crisis, a curb on foreign capital investments was issued by the UK Treasury. However, the Bank of England later agreed to allow commercial banks to continue to lend and borrow to foreign clients as long as the currency was not in sterling and both sides of the transaction resided outside the UK. This was seen as an accounting device, but it had huge ramifications and spawned the growth of the socalled ‘Eurodollar’ – offshore financial markets where unlimited sums could be borrowed and lent, seemingly under the control of no state.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>The UK Government has been concerned about the lack of financial transparency and problems in identifying beneficial ownership of companies incorporated in offshore territories. According to Brewin, steps are being taken by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. The European Union closely monitors these capital markets as well, and among the BOTs it has designated Anguilla, British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.&nbsp;</p>


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<p>“The Cayman Island is occasionally misrepresented as a tax haven when it is actually a tax-neutral jurisdiction that operates at a fiscal surplus,” Altneu says, noting that Cayman ended 2022 with a US$60 million operating surplus as a result of revenues reaching US$1.25 billion.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Altneu remains confident of the future, saying: “Our residency and relocation practice is growing year on year as more wealthy clients develop a strong desire to take advantage of Cayman’s unique position of being able to offer tax neutrality and world-class professional services in one of the world’s leading offshore financial centres.”&nbsp;</p>



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<p>He notes that more than half of all Hong Kong listed companies are registered in Cayman and the territory remains at the forefront of offshore transactions in eastern Asia. The Financial Times recently reported that the Cayman Islands plans to open its first Asian office to counter emerging competition from Hong Kong and Singapore as offshore finance centres.&nbsp;</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Pitcairn-Island_p.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76335" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Pitcairn-Island_p.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Pitcairn-Island_p-200x150.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Pitcairn-Island_p-373x280.jpg 373w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Future Impetus&nbsp;</h3>



<p>As the administrating power for its Overseas Territories, the UK Government supports their political, economic and social development and self government, and has vowed not to stand in the way of any BOT becoming independent if that is the clear wish of the local people. Though no territory is currently looking to leave the UK family, Brewin does suggest challenges lie ahead. There are internal tensions in some territories about the division of powers between the UK and the local government. Brexit has complicated matters, too, especially for places like Gibraltar where there is a huge daily cross-border movement of people. But financial safeguards remain in place since the British Overseas Territories that rely on banking, as Brewin notes, still have to comply with EU transparency rules.</p>



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<p>(<em>Photos: Friends of the BOTs</em>)</p>


Global Britain: In this coronation year, Britain still retains an overseas realm that spans the globe


<p>Prophesies of doom and media hullabaloo surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) have hit the headlines for years – but this time it seems different. It is who and how many are creating the noise.</p>



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<p>A Goldman Sachs report in March sounded the alarm bells, warning that AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million jobs. Soon after, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, got in on the act – along with 1,800 technology researchers and executives – calling for a six-month pause in the development of AI systems such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 (the latest version of the groundbreaking tech that powers ChatGPT). They warned that powerful digital minds were being created “that no-one – not even their creators – can understand, predict or reliably control”.</p>



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<p>More recently, even more dire warnings have been sounded, with experts such as the heads of OpenAI and Google DeepMind postulating that AI could lead to the extinction of humanity. AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio also called for urgent action to protect the public.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Accessible &amp; disruptive</h3>



<p>The launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been transformational. While chatbots have been around for some years, and have been considered for a whole range of industrial uses from logistics to medicine, this latest computer chatterbox has astounded commentators with its language ability. Aside from its conversational aplomb, it has shown its versatility with capabilities for writing music, debugging computer programs and completing high-level academic examinations.</p>



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<p>Sean McMinn is the Director of the Center for Education Innovation at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where he manages a special teaching and learning development fund specific to AI called the Education and Generative AI (EDGE-AI) projects fund. He believes ChatGPT’s accessibility is the key game-changer.</p>



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<p>“This is about accessibility and ease of use,” he says. “AI tools have been developing for a number of years, but they have never been too widely accessible. The user interface of ChatGPT [though] is extremely basic and anyone with a device and internet connection can interact with the Chatbot with ease. Because of this, and the perceived usefulness of the output it generates, it is not surprising that it has gained such attention worldwide. Add to that, the [AI] tools are more powerful than they were just a year ago.”</p>



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<p>McMinn believes it is largely irrelevant that most people do not understand the technology that ChatGPT is built on, namely Large Language Models (LLMs). By far the most important consideration is that it is a very disruptive technology.</p>



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<p>Academia alarm The academic community has been particularly perturbed by the latest developments in AI. ChatGPT (GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer) can write introductions to scientific articles, high-level computational mathematics and even college courses. The University of Hong Kong was initially so concerned that it implemented a blanket ban on its use; they have since softened their stance, greenlighting ChatGPT for staff (but not student) use until guidelines are introduced. Hong Kong Baptist University is also developing guidelines. One of McMinn’s main roles at HKUST is to explore technology-enhanced teaching and learning (TETL) methods and advise university management and faculty on strategies for implementing such initiatives. “While a lot is still unknown and speculative, many people believe that AI has the potential to enhance or transform how we teach and assess,” he says.</p>



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<p>Following the ongoing speculation and uncertainty about the impact of generative AI on the education sector and workplace, he readily understands why some institutions may choose a cautious approach. The overriding issue concerns integrity. “How do we know what students submit is their own work? Do we have valid evidence that they are learning? Are the assessment tools teachers are using able to distinguish AI output and student outcomes?”</p>



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<p>He believes the uncertainty surrounding the issue could have some positives – spurring into action institutions which have been slow to revamp how and what they teach and forcing a review of what knowledge and skills students need in today’s fast-changing world.</p>



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<p>McMinn does voice concerns that banning the use of generative AI tools may be doing our students a disservice, and he advocates a shift of energy towards preparing students for an AIdriven world. “These tools are not going away; in fact, we will probably see faster advancement in the next few years,” he says. “We should be preparing students for the future of work where AI tools will be commonplace in the workforce.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Workplace worries</h3>



<p>Speculation has been rampant about which jobs will be affected or lost as a result of recent developments. The Goldman Sachs report said AI could assume about a quarter of the work now done by humans. Accountants, lawyers, doctors, journalists, data managers and professionals in other sectors are all thought to be at risk from an AI surge, and there has been speculation that Hollywood film studios might consider replacing writers with generative artificial intelligence.</p>



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<p>“Many professions that rely on creativity will be disrupted, but I am not certain they will disappear completely. In some ways, AI tools have the affordance for new forms of creativity. I think there will still be a need for writers – just in a different form perhaps,” says McMinn.</p>



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<p>He does believe ChatGPT has limited the need for brainstorming and drafting. “Now, we can generate ideas and drafts, and spend more time on editing. So, knowing that process will change, we can start to focus on higher-order tasks that require more analytical thinking.”</p>



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<p>There are various tools available in Hong Kong to assist with writing and brainstorming ideas – Poe.com, Bing Chat, and Google Bard via a VPN. But he warns: “Always check the content these tools generate. LLMs hallucinate and there is a lot of inherent bias that could be harmful to users.”</p>



<p>Google is slowly integrating its AI into its search engine, much the same way Microsoft integrated Bing into theirs. “I think users will just interact differently with Google and Microsoft’s Bing search,” he says.</p>



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<p>Some professionals may need to think about upskilling or reskilling, and acquiring expertise relevant to their career that AI cannot master. McMinn is confident jobs that do not exist now will emerge in the AI-driven near future. “AI still lacks contextual awareness or metacognitive tasks. Humans will still be important for critical and relative thinking, as well as problem-solving for tasks that are contextual,” he says.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ethical issues</h3>



<p>There are undoubtedly complex issues surrounding the widespread dissemination of AI. A US lawyer recently admitted to using AI for case research. Part of McMinn’s role at the university is to highlight the ethical implications of such technology and ensure stakeholders are aware of the implications.</p>



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<p>One concern is information bias. The New Scientist recently highlighted the implications of how ChatGPT and GPT-4 are more familiar with books that appear online. “Always be cognisant that these tools are inherently biased,” says McMinn. “Much of the bias is inherited by the data sets used to train the AI tools, but also the content policies developed by the companies. Most of these biases are unintentional, but they are there.”</p>



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<p>Since misinformation spread at a rapid rate will have societal implications, institutions and companies need to develop clear AI policies and guidelines for their stakeholders. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak recently said AI may make scams harder to spot.</p>



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<p>“I do also worry that these tools may reinforce echo chambers, especially with all the talk of personalising experiences with AI,” says McMinn. “We also need to be mindful that bad actors will use these tools to scam people.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Being human</h3>



<p>Educator Svetlana Chigaeva-Heddad has been exploring the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT and other Gen AI technology. “I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to think through the process of engaging with these tools and reflecting on what our engagement with these tools means for us as humans and for our agency in the future,” she says.</p>



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<p>Pointing out the connection between language and thought, she adds: “Given that generative AI tools are based on human language, is it really impossible to imagine that there may be artificial general intelligence which will be able to think like humans and perform tasks at the highest levels that we currently assume to be unique to humans?”</p>


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