Don’t miss your chance to catch some of the great works at the highly anticipated art fair ongoing right now in both physical and digital space
International events are pushing through amid the health crisis nowadays, most of which are being held in a new scale and in a hybrid format. Many organizations have begun to pivot to the new normal by pushing through with events in their annual calendar by making use of both physical and digital platforms. Take, for instance, some of the recent luxury events, the biggest in the world—the prestigious watch-making trade fair in Geneva, Watches and Wonders, and international art and architecture exhibitions, the Venice Biennale and Art Basel, both of which are now currently running.
In Asia, Hong Kong has been the setting for most physical components of global and regional events, including that of the previously mentioned chronograph industry meet and the ongoing 2021 Art Basel: Hong Kong (ABHK).
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the halls of the Hong Kong Exhibit and Convention Center (HKCEC) are open for in-person visits. The cornerstone event gives spotlight to the next generation of Asian innovative galleries, with a mélange of exhibitions, openings, and previews. It focuses on the unique overview of diverse art across Asia and beyond, on both historical works from the region as well as emerging ones.
After a hiatus brought about by the pandemic, one of Asia’s grandest art fairs returns with 104 leading galleries from 23 territories handpicked from the previous edition. Featured are 56 satellite booths by the galleries that are unable to physically present. The virtual walkthroughs are made to help VIPs and online audiences wander the aisles of art with the help of ABHK staff and art representatives. The online initiative, Art Basel Live: Hong Kong, aims to enhance the international visibility of exhibitors by connecting galleries digitally to audiences from around the world.
“It has been truly inspiring to witness the ways in which the art world has been to our participating galleries for their commitment to our show here in Hong Kong this year. Once again, Hong Kong’s institutions and non-profits have offered their full support by putting together a range of programs and events alongside Art Basel Hong Kong,” says Adeline Ooi, Asia director of Art Basel.
Art Basel Hong Kong’s ninth edition boasts of a firm lineup of galleries from across China’s special administrative and from all over the globe. These art places confer a wide scope of contemporary positions, from paintings inspired by Philip Guston at the Gladstone Gallery to historical presentations that improve our understanding of pioneering practices, from Fernando Zóbel at Mayoral to a deep dive into the early experimental artists of 1970s Korea at the Arario Gallery.
As humans we look at things and think about what we’ve looked at. We treasure it in a kind of private art gallery.
—Thom Gunn
This year’s galleries sector involves a strong outline of Asian historical works. There is a presentation of the first generation of experimental artist from Korea: Kim Kulim, Byungso Choi, and Soun-Gui Kim at Arario Gallery. Likewise, for Japan, the Tokyo Gallery + BTAP’s showcase of work is by Yoshio Sekine, Kishio Suga, Jiro Takamatsu, Lee Ufan, Lee Jin Woo, and Park Seo-Bo.
These historical presentations are complemented by a range of young artists—Firenze Lai of Vitamin Creative Space, Harold Ancartat Clearing, Elizabeth Glaessnerat P.P.O.W, Trevor Shimizu of 47 Canal, and Bendt Eyckermans of Carlos/Ishikawa.
A collaborative spirit catalyzed by the global health crisis has led to various international galleries to join forces for collective booths, including Silverlens and Rossi & Rossi, Meyer Riegger and Sies + Höke, as well as Antenna Space and BaliceHertling. Also highlighted are the collective booths of eight leading Italian galleries, namely, Alfonso Artiaco, Cardi Gallery, Galleria Continua, Galleria Franco Noero, Galleria d’Arte Maggiore G.A.M., Mazzoleni, Massimo De Carlo, and Rossi & Rossi.
Indian galleries from previous ABHK editions, namely, Chemould Prescott in Mumbai, Experimenter in Kolkata, and Vadehra Art Gallery in Delhi, are unable to join this year.
Another special feature of the show is the Fine Art Asia Pavilion, a thematic showcase of antiques and objets d’art made mostly before the 1940s.
The Hong Kong leg is made possible with the cooperation of lead partner UBS. The fair is in progress until May 23, 2021. Art Basel is set to take place in Switzerland on Sep. 23 to 26, while in Miami Beach, on Dec. 2 to 5, 2021. | artbasel.com
Photos by Art Basel