Hong Kong has a number of large art events year around. The largest of those are the Hong Kong International Art Fair (see my visits in 2009 and 2011) and then there’s Art Basel. For some unexplained reason I managed to skip the previous Basels in town, but somehow managed to find the time to see the 2014 exhibition. And it’s one grant art exhibition. Two very large halls in the very spacious Hong Kong Exhibition Center in Wanchai. You can easily spend half a day walking around and seeing great art.
We’ll start with what was my layperson’s absolute favorite…
The art is by Yang Yongliang, one of China’s very promising contemporary artists, in what looks from afar as a classical Chinese painting, turns into an ultra modern frightening vision of urban life overtaking nature. Watch his videos here.
What is Art Basel? Here’s from the official website :
From emerging talents to the Modern masters of both Asia and the West, Art Basel in Hong Kong traces twelve decades of art history across its six sectors: Galleries, Insights, Discoveries, Encounters, Magazines and Film. On display will be the highest quality of paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, video and editioned works from the 20th and 21st centuries, by more than 2,000 artists from Asia and around the globe.
The show will also offer extensive opportunities for intellectual discovery, through discussions and presentations, creating a platform of cross-cultural exchanges for artists, gallerists, collectors, and visitors.
South China Morning Post adds :
The international art fair, founded in 1970, made Hong Kong its third show location, after Basel in Switzerland and Miami in the US. It acquired 60 per cent of Art HK in 2011.
The show returns after a debut last year that attracted 60,000 visitors – a turnout organisers expect to see repeated this year.
Of the 245 galleries from 39 countries and territories taking part, 25 are based in Hong Kong or have offices in the city.
The fair aims to maintain a strong Asian presence, with about half of the exhibitors from the Asia Pacific region.
Lots to see.
We’ll start with some of the modern classics – Picasso, Chagall, and other famous friends…
And the proceed to the more contemporary art …
A real treat. Go see it.