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This global art extravaganza, happening from March 24 to 26 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, offers far more than just paintings on the wall.
It’s that time of the year again – we all know Hong Kong art month is approaching and the city is gearing up for exhibitions of different scales and, of course, the star-studded soirees that pay tribute to the season of aesthetic indulgences.
"Yellow Structure" (2016) by Richard Maloy. Photo courtesy of Starkwhite.
Whether or not you are an art aficionado, there’s no denying the power of “art fever” that sweeps in every year and this year is no different, with highlights from art-themed afternoon tea sets and art stay package offered by Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong (the official hotel of Art Basel in Hong Kong) to fashion brands shedding light on art-inspired designer apparel.
Taking center stage amidst all the art madness is Art Basel in Hong Kong, which will showcase artworks by 239 galleries hailing from 35 countries and territories worldwide.
Photo courtesy of carlier gebauer and Richard Mosse.
Returning to the city for the fourth time, the show will take place from March 24 to 26 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Similar to its previous editions, there will be four main sections waiting to be discovered – Galleries, Encounters, Insights and Discoveries.
There are also sectors that are devoted to Films and Magazines outside the main fair space. And while you're at it, don’t forget to visit the Hong Kong Tatler booth during the show!
Galleries
Photo courtesy of Andréhn-Schiptjenko, Stockholm.
The largest sector of the show features 187 of the world’s leading and contemporary art galleries, showcasing a wide range of arts from paintings, sculptures and installations to digital artworks.
Don’t miss out on renowned galleries including New York-based Galdstone Gallery and Goodman Gallery from Johannesburg as well as local Hong Kong galleries such as Gallerie Perrotin, 10 Chancery Lane Gallery and Blindspot Gallery.
Insights
Photo courtesy of carlier gebauer and Richard Mosse.
Dedicated to curatorial projects by 28 galleries with spaces in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, this section will see solo shows, exceptional art-historical material and thematic exhibitions
This year’s edition has a strong focus on modern works, offering a particularly diverse and in-depth overview of art from places such as Australia and Turkey.
Highlights include eight large photographic works by Australian artist Michael Cook, sculpture by Chinese artists Auan Xiao and Yu Honglei and performative video work by Japanese artist Tadasu Takamine.
Discoveries
Photo courtesy of Mira Dancy and Night Gallery.
A strong showcase of emerging artists will be featured at this section, with works presented by 24 galleries, in which five of them are completely new to the show.
Highlights include intricate ink drawings by Pakistani artist Waqas Khan, food-inspired installation by Japanese artist Yusuke Saito and American artist Joel Kyack’s sculptural installation.
Encounters
"Trees" (2010-2015) by Peter Liversidge. Photo courtesy of Ingleby Gallery.
This is where artworks will be presented on an institutional scale. Brace yourself for larger-than-life sculptural installations and enchanting performances, set in prominent locations throughout the two exhibition halls.
Curated for the second time by Alexie Glass-Kantor, executive director of Artspace in Sydney, 16 artworks by 12 artists will be featured this year. Do check out Chen Zhen’s “Opening of a Closed Centere”, a piece made of found objects, metal and wood inspired by his interactions with the Shaker community in Sabbah Lake, and Isa Genzken’s freestanding sculptures from her “Schauspieler (Actors) series.
Films
"Rainbow" (1997) by Zeng Fanzhi. Photo courtesy of West Kowloon Hong Kong.
Returning for its third year, the Film programme will bring over 70 films by and about artists in Hong Kong. Overseen by Beijing and Zurich-based multi-media artist and producer Li Zhenhua, the programme will showcase 67 short films that explore six diverse themes.
Five feature-length films will also be included in the programme for the first time, allowing film aficionados to feast their eyes on works such as the premiere of ‘Zeng Fanzhi: YOU Art Project’, as well as the Asian premiere of Takashi Murakami’s ‘Jellyfish Eyes’ and William Kentridge’s renowned ‘10 Drawings for Projection’ among others.
Directed by Shi Li-Sanderson and Philipp Stölzl, ‘Zeng Fanzhi: YOU Art Project’ (2014 – 2015) studies the distinguished Chinese artist Zeng's painting process over the last 12 years under the concept of ‘YOU,’ which in Chinese indicates the highest attainment of freedom.
On the local front, Datuk Ramli Ibrahim's Ganjam is set to take place between March 23 and 27.
