Bruce Lee’s Townhouse to be museum, 13k for winning design
November 28, 2009
The Hong Kong townhouse which was once home to martial arts legend Bruce Lee is to be transformed into a museum in his memory.
The move comes after the building’s owner made the surprise decision to donate it to the city where the kung fu icon first shot to fame, and follows a long-running campaign by fans. The two-story 5,700 sq ft (529 sq metres) building had been languishing as a downmarket love motel where rooms could be hired by the hour.
Owner Yu Pang-lin, a hotel and property tycoon, announced yesterday that he had agreed a joint plan with the Hong Kong authorities to convert the building into a tourist attraction. “I’m 88 years old now and hope that while I’m still alive I’ll be able to see this Bruce Lee museum completed,” he said.
The townhouse, where Lee was living when he died under mysterious circumstances in 1973, will contain a recreation of Lee’s original study and training hall, complete with martial arts weapons used by the actor in his films, as well as a library and cinema.
Officials in Hong Kong have announced a design competition to create a museum honoring Bruce Lee, according to a report by the Associated Press.
Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, will serve as a judge on a panel with architects and town planners to choose a winning design for the museum, with $13,000 in prize money going to the winner. The government has also commissioned a documentary about the building of the museum, and a biopic about the star. Hong Kong officials are also collecting personal items and memorabilia for the future memorial.
more here:
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/design-competition-for-bruce-lee-museum/
