Art World Converges on Hong Kong
- brittanypanter
- 2015年3月12日
- 讀畢需時 5 分鐘
Photo: One of the works on display at Art Basel, courtesy of DE SARTHE GALLERY ©A.D.A.G.P-Paris
It’s no secret that Hong Kong is one of the largest banking hubs in the world, but perhaps less known is that the city can also lay claim to having the third largest auction market in the world (of course the zero tax on art imports and exports helps) with the biggest names of the art world having set their sights on Hong Kong in recent years.
Art Basel Hong Kong
Photo: Look to Kowloon's ICC from March 13th to March 17th Courtesy Cao Fei
Art Basel is one such name. Founded in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland, their Hong Kong show is still relatively new. Launched in 2013, it has already played a big part in bringing lesser known Asian artists to the attention of the West. Art Basel 2015 will have 233 galleries divided up into six different sectors giving visitors a chance to explore some very different works.
The “Galleries” sector will display modern and contemporary works, while the “Insights” sector will present projects more Hong Kong-specific. The “Discoveries” sector will offer a place to explore up-and-coming artists that are in an early stage of their careers, and for large scale sculptures and installation works check out the “Encounters” galleries. Hard to miss will be Cao Fei’s video installation which will be screened on the giant facade of the ICC in Kowloon from the 13th to the 17th. Movie buffs will want to head to the agnès b. CINEMA at the Hong Kong Arts Centre for a program of films about artists and by artists for the “Film” sector of the show. And finally, the “Magazines” sector will feature a display of art publications from around the globe.
Art Basel's conversations and salon talk program will feature talks and discussions from leading figures of the international art world. Conversations will be held from March 15th to March 17th from 10am to 11:30am and debaters will discuss the importance of traveling exhibitions by global art institutions and the impact this has on the art world. The less formal salon talks will take place on the afternoons of March 15th and 16th from 1pm to 7pm and March 17th from 1pm to 5pm. Artists, curators, museum directors, professors and researchers will cover a vast range of art-related topics. For a full list of the talks program see here.
If you are lucky enough to have an invitation to a preview session, they are: March 13th from 6pm to 9pm; March 14th from 12pm to 4pm; and March 15th from 12pm to 1pm. The vernissage will take place on March 14th from 4pm to 9pm. Art Basel is open to the public from March 15th, 1pm to 8pm; March 16th from 12pm to 8pm; and March 17th from 12pm to 5pm.
For more information go here.
Artistic Gastronomy at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Photo: M Bar at the Mandarin Oriental will offer Art Basel inspired cocktails
After all the perusing you are sure to do, you’ll need some liquid refreshment. From March 12th to the 22nd, Mandarin Oriental’s M bar will offer a series of art-inspired cocktails which have been named after different sectors and themes of Art Basel. We’re licking our lips at the sound of the “Insights” cocktail which is an artful fusion of Belvedere Vodka, lychee liqueur, matcha syrup, pear purée, lemon juice, plum bitters, and ginger beer (HKD148). As the official hotel to Art Basel, the Mandarin Oriental is offering a slew of other art-centric offers, including art-inspired chocolates and lunch and dinner menus.
More information can be found here.
Art Central
New to the Hong Kong art scene is Art Central. Making its debut on March 14th, the three-day fair will showcase artworks from more than 75 galleries at its temporary tent location at the Central Harbourfront to coincide with Art Basel. Similar to Art Basel, Art Central will also divide its content into sectors: “Central,” “Rise,” and “Projects.” The “Central” sector will present works from both emerging and established galleries from across the globe. “Rise,” sponsored by J.Crew, will focus on artists that have been established in the last five years. “Projects” will feature five large-scale installations from different artists around the globe: Jeffrey Gibson, Li Hui, Taylor Kuffner; Stella Zhang and Lan Zhenghui.
The Continental will have a pop-up restaurant at the fair that will offer plenty of fine food and delicious drinks. Be sure to pop by between 7pm and 9pm on Saturday to indulge in a few cocktails, as they will be donating 20% of the proceeds for that period to Operation Smile-China, a Hong Kong-based charity which provides free surgeries for underprivileged children with cleft lips and/or cleft palates in China.
March 14th and March 15th from 11am to 7pm and March 16th from 11am to 5pm with a VIP preview on March 13th from 10am to 6pm and March 14th from 10am to 11am.
More information can be found here.
Asia Contemporary Art Show
Photo: Liu Hong's "Luscious Lips" Exhibit will feature at the Asia Contemporary Art Show
Over 100 exhibitors from nearly 20 countries will descend upon the Conrad Hong Kong to showcase their unique works of art. The intimacy of viewing the art in the privacy of the artists’ hotel rooms is what makes this show so unique, along with the chance to speak with the artists about what motivates and inspires them.
Director Mark Saunderson thinks the pieces in this show are the best to date, saying the sixth edition “is our best-ever collection of vibrant, interesting artworks that are still affordable, have upside potential to increase in value and work in real homes and offices.” Sprawled over five floors (40th-44th) of the hotel, visitors will have the chance to view over 3,000 works throughout the show.
We have our eye on Chinese artist Liu Hong. Check out her stunning works that portray the role of women in modern Chinese society. Hong’s “Luscious Lips” exhibition will be on display in Fabrik Gallery’s room 4307 throughout the show.
The Asia Contemporary Art Show will take place from Thursday to Sunday, and while many of the works will be sold by Sunday, artists are usually willing to give hefty discounts as the show approaches its conclusion on that evening. Held every spring and fall, the 7th edition will take place at the Conrad Hong Kong from October 8th to 11th 2015 if you can’t make it this time.
VIP Collectors Preview (by invitation or ticket) Thursday March 12, 5pm to 9.30pm
Friday ART Night (by invitation or ticket) from 5pm to 9:30pm
General admission Friday March 13, 1pm to 5pm; Saturday March 14, 1pm to 8.30pm; Sunday March 15, 11.30am to 6pm
More information can be found here.
