Fancy footwear fascinates Patten

IT was a hideously expensive Claude Monet landscape and a hideously psychedelic pair of shoes that caught the fancy of Governor Chris Patten when, with first lady Lavender, he inaugurated Art Asia '93 at the Convention Centre last night.

Twice he came back to look at the Monet, surveying the masterpiece intently while chewing on his spectacles, and pointing it out eagerly to Keeping Posted hovering nearby.

''It would look lovely on a wall at Government House,'' we confided.

''You'd better tell that to the taxman,'' he replied with longing in his eyes as he studied the US$3 million (HK$23.17 million) price tag.

As for the shoes? They were on the feet of glass sculptor Dale Chihuly - neatly matching the colour scheme of some of his work.

''I like the shoes,'' beamed Patten. ''I've got two daughters who'd kill for a pair like that.'' Broke in Lavender: ''You must give us your card.'' Much to the disappointment of the Pattens, both art connoisseurs, only a fleeting glimpse of the US$400 million worth of art was possible (Princess Anne was awaiting them for dinner elsewhere in town).