SCMP: Edison Chen and sex-photo scandals overshadow the launch of Mickey's charity exhibition

Ben Sin

Updated on Aug 16, 2011

Mickey Mouse was supposed to be the centre of attention at Langham Place, when Disney and local streetwear brand CLOT opened their collaborative "Travelling Mickey Charity Exhibition Tour". But the appearance of CLOT's owner Edison Chen Koon-hei, however, meant nude photos and sex scandals dominated the talk.

It's a shame because the exhibition of 10 Mickey Mouse figurines designed by a diverse group of international street artists - including Makoto Azuma, Jakuan Melendez and Carri Munden - added a contemporary edge to an iconic character.

But with Chen, the central figure in the 2008 sex-photo scandal in which images of the Canto-pop star and several ex-girlfriends were spread on the internet, he fielded questions about the circulation of images of a Chinese Cathay flight attendant performing a sex act on an expatriate.

Chen feigned annoyance yet played along, switching from "we should stop bringing up an incident that was years ago" to giving suggestive answers. "Even if I lose my phone these days it's OK, I can delete all the content remotely," the 30-year-old said with a smirk.

The exhibition ends this month and will head to Taiwan. The figurines, including one with three eyes, will then be sold at auction, with half of the proceeds going to the charity China Youth Development Foundation.

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