The inaugural edition of Digital Art Fair Asia will be held in Hong Kong this September, showcasing a wide array of digital and NFT art to offer visitors an immersive art experience. We chatted with Gillian Howard, co-founder and fair director of Digital Art Fair about the upcoming event and the future of art in the digital age
Digital art is not a flash in the pan in the art world—and it’s one that has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, mainly due to the increased usage of technologies during the pandemic. Artists these days are becoming more interested in using digital tools as part of their creative processes, while art enthusiasts are keen to create new, convenient ways of appreciating and collecting art at virtual fairs, galleries and auctions.
What this big art trend suggests is not only people's increasing receptiveness towards new art mediums, but also the rise in modern art exhibitions which offer emerging artists a platform to showcase their digital art through innovative means, such as interactive installations and immersive paintings. And the latest example of this phenomenon is Digital Art Fair Asia Edition 2021—the first-ever, largest physical and online fair in Asia dedicated to new media art, NFT crypto art and immersive art technology, which is set to open in Hong Kong this fall.
See also: Tatler’s Guide To Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong 2021
Taking place from September 30 to October 17 in the Central district of Hong Kong, the exhibition will include a world-class lineup of over 40 local and international digital artists, as well as some of the world's greatest contemporary art and NFT art collections.
Inside the 20,000 square-foot venue, visitors will be able to see an impressive selection of digital and NFTs artwork across five different zones, namely: Immersive Zone which allows guests to experience art through innovative technologies; Prestige Zone where digital artworks by the most influential artists such as Andy Warhol and Jacky Tsai are being showcased; Pioneer Zone, an area specially curated by renowned artist Derry Ainsworth and urban art specialist Hannah Smith to introduce artists who are at the forefront of the NFT art movement; New Media Zone which showcases local talents including NFT sound artist and “Godfather” of Chinese hip hop, MC Yan, and leading Hong Kong digital artist Henry Chu, who was recently commissioned by Hong Kong’s M+ museum; and lastly, Virtual Reality Art Experience Zone, where guests are invited to explore the first virtual museum established in 2005 by dslollection.
Aside from showcasing artworks, the fair will also present a series of talks featuring leading voices including art professionals, collectors and experts from the business and technology industries. Notable speakers include Sylvain Lévy, co-founder of dslcollection; James Neary, digital art collector and co-founder of Digital Art Fair Asia; John Keh, Chief Marketing Officer of Genesis Block Hong Kong; and Vitomir Jevremovic, founder of VR-All-Art.