1880 Hong Kong is welcoming the renowned German artist Jens Ritter as its Artist-in-Residence from 24 to 30 March. Dubbed “the fusion of Stradivarius and Picasso”, Ritter takes expertly handcrafted electric guitars and deactivates them to become masterpieces of conceptual art.
Now installed on 1880 Social’s third floor, Ritter showcases a thought-provoking series of work: Sleeping Beauties – six intricately deactivated guitars that have been silenced and “put to sleep” for 100 years. His work, appreciated by iconic artists such as Prince, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Van Halen, George Benson, Nile Rodgers, and more, serves as an invaluable commentary on the inextricable bond between creativity and the human spirit and the rise of AI reliance on music production.
Ritter’s extraordinary display of Sleeping Beauties can be viewed throughout Arts Month, with complimentary personal guided tours of the installation available to book with Jens Ritter via email or Whatsapp. Ritter will also personally host a private lunch for members, plus a special panel discussion on Thursday, 27 March 2025 from 6:30 to 8pm. Guests can meet Ritter and feel his passion first-hand as he delves into the soulful values of human-made craft, art, and rock ’n’ roll in an era of rising AI. Tickets are available to the public at $88.
