Spotlight by Art Basel, the only physical private event by Art Basel held in 2020 was an event many doubted was possible in a pandemic
From November 26 to 30, Art Basel pulled off an event that many doubted was possible in a pandemic: a real-life, in-person art fair. Titled Hong Kong Spotlight by Art Basel, it was the only physical event the company held in 2020: Covid-19 forced it to cancel its flagship fairs in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong, and pivot to hosting online sales instead.
Twenty-two galleries took part in Hong Kong Spotlight, among them international players like Gagosian and Simon Lee Gallery, as well as local names such as Kwai Fung Hin and 10 Chancery Lane. The fair kicked off just as the fourth wave swept into the city, but nothing could deter art collectors and connoisseurs from getting their fix: 8,000 of them visited Hong Kong Spotlight and its neighbour, local fair Fine Art Asia, which took place simultaneously at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Mask-wearing was enforced (though some visitors momentarily took theirs off for Tatler’s photographer), but many people still commented on the joy of speaking to people face-to-face—even through fabric. “It feels so great to be out and see people. It almost feels like a weekend away,” said Sally Lo, founder of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, which had a fundraising booth at Fine Art Asia.
A dapper Henry Tang strolled past De Sarthe’s booth, assistant in tow, while Cathy Chon-Feliciano snapped photos of works by American artist Doug Aitken and Chinese multimedia artist Wang Yuyang exhibited by Massimo De Carlo. Federico Tan, Jonathan Cheung, Geoffrey Chuang and Dee Poon also made appearances.
See also: Hong Kong's Creative Community Comes Together At Design Trust Charity Auction
