Two cultures are united

The gala launch of the Ancient Paths, Modern Voices festival of Chinese culture Wednesday night at South Coast Plaza featured a special appearance by Cirque du Soleil performers from the show “Ka.”

Artistic Director Marie-Helene Gagnon described the show as an Asian-inspired visual and auditory feast about two twins seeking to regain their thrones. It is currently presented at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I think it just underscores what an international destination South Coast Plaza is,” said Debra Gunn Downing, South Coast Plaza’s executive marketing director. “We have long had an international outreach, in terms of our marketing. Our customers come to us literally from every corner of the globe.”

The preview party also was attended by Quentin Shih, whose photography of Christian Dior fashion models is now on view in South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court.

“The Christian Dior exhibit with Quentin Shih is the centerpiece of our programming at South Coast Plaza,” Downing said. “That part is significant in that Christian Dior first commissioned this art in China about a year ago. The exhibit in Beijing was huge. We felt Quentin’s work was the most compelling of all the artists, because it integrated the fashion so closely with the artwork. They’re very provocative, in a way. You’ve got this very beautiful couture fashion model integrated into very Chinese landscapes. This is the first time the show has been exhibited outside of China.”

Many of the shopping destination’s retailers are planning in-store events to commemorate the festival, which is being put on by Carnegie Hall and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

“I think the festival is about celebrating Chinese culture, and bringing something unique and special to Southern Cal,” Downing said. “South Coast Plaza’s programming for the festival is completely integrated with the Philharmonic program.”

“Working with South Coast Plaza has been a dream,” said Dean Corey, who leads the Philharmonic. “Debra Gunn Downing has just been amazing. This is the most intensely, I think, we’ve ever worked with them. South Coast Plaza has been very active in marketing this festival. They’ve been a wonderful working partner. In this tough economic time, it’s surprising that something like this would come together.”

The festival is the first time Carnegie Hall has put on a festival outside New York City.

“We feel honored,” Corey said. “We are similar to Carnegie Hall in what we produce and put on stage. But we’re a slice of the pie, and Carnegie’s the whole pie. It’s been good to have the two staffs work together, and Clive Gillinson is a very smart, very civil human being, who is also a good colleague. To me, who you work with is as important as who you end up with.”

Ancient Paths, Modern Voices will feature both traditional and contemporary examples of Chinese art and culture.

“The new Chinese pieces, in particular, will be very unique and appreciated, and will be an eye-opener for people,” Corey said. “The 20th century, I think, belongs to China. If you don’t like it, there’s not much you can do — but to be ready. And with this festival, we’re all going to get a real earful and mind full of the power that China has.”