Category: art

Art Week 2019

The art world focuses on Hong Kong in March with three exhibitions bringing thousands of art pieces from emerging and established artists.

As the old cliche goes ‘one man’s art though is another’s trash’ and you’ll wonder exactly what the attraction of some pieces are – but there’s enough variety that you’ll likely find a few things to discus, enjoy and perhaps even buy.

Art Central
The fifth anniversary edition of a contemporary art fair in the heart of Hong Kong at the Central Harbourfront 26-31 March 2019 (First Night 26 March) with over 100 exhibitors showcasing the next generation of talent alongside some of the most established galleries from across Asia.

Art Central
Date: 26-31 March 2019
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Tickets: tbc
More info:
VIP Preview
Tuesday 26 March, 2 pm – 5 pm

First Night
Tuesday 26 March, 5 pm – 9 pm

General Opening Hours
Wednesday 27 March, 11 am – 5 pm
Thursday 28 March, 12 pm- 9 pm
Friday 29 March, 12 pm – 9 pm
Saturday 30 March, 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday 31 March, 11 am – 5pm

Art Basel
Many of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries display paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, prints, photography, film, video, and digital art by over 4,000 artists.

Art Basel
Date: 29-31 March 2019
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: $950-$150 from HKTicketing
More info:
29 March: 1-8pm
30 March: 1-8pm
31 March: 11am-6pm

Asia Contemporary Art Show – Spring Edition 2019
Artworks from Asia and the world at the Asia Contemporary Art Show, March 29 – April 1 at the Conrad Hong Kong. Browse and buy original paintings, limited editions, sculpture and photography from some of the world’s most interesting and promising artists.

Asia Contemporary Art Show – Spring Edition 2019
Date: 29 March – 1 April, 2019
Venue: 40/F-43/F, Conrad Hong Kong
Tickets: $250
More info:
29 March: 3–9pm
30 March: 1–8pm
31 March: 1–8pm
1 April: 11am-6pm

Tai Kwun, Disney Style Heritage

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Tai-Kwun-21-May-2018/i-VJGnLjj

The former Central Police Station, prison and court opens today after a $3.8bn renovation and transformation into Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts.

Tai Kwun, The Chinese name for the Central Police Station, is an impressive low rise space – a full city block in American parlance – in the centre of modern high-rise Central. As with many renovations and restorations it’s very sterile, the shells of the buildings remain but the character and identity have disappeared. Will the Jockey Club administrators allow the area to organically establish a new identity and character or will political correctness and ‘rules’ keep the area ‘old’ but sterile?

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Tai-Kwun-21-May-2018/i-BMkXqPn

The $ums spent mean that it will not be allowed to ‘fail’ a-la PMQ but there seems to be a lack of understanding, as evidenced by the convoluted name, as to what the space is. Is it a tourist attraction, a living museum, a centre for the arts, a shopping area or a community space? It’s big enough to be all of them but the objectives and needs of each are not always mutually compatible.

There are multiple shops and restaurants scheduled to open in the next few months and the stated intent is for the commercial tenants to fund the cultural programmes and ongoing costs. This seems unrealistic given the size of the space and the ambitions of the cultural side.

A Tai Kwun pass is needed to enter the area. The prison history of the space means there are only a few small and narrow entrances and exits and nervous government bean counters have limited Tai Kwun to 5,000 people at a time. After the novelty of the area wears off entrance should be easy, but for now expect to queue.

The undoubted ‘stars’ of Tai Kwun are the courtyard and the parade ground surrounded as they are by colonial style buildings themselves imprisoned within modern steel and glass. With land so valuable, there simple isn’t this style of space in modern Hong Kong – the current high temperatures and blue skies make it even more precious to be able to see and feel the clear blue sky, much as the previous tenants of yearned to be able to do.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Tai-Kwun-21-May-2018/i-zNNxgXw

Take a wander around there is a lot to see, much of which feels contrived and sterile – the prison block is the only area left almost ‘au natural’. There are exhibition spaces, performance art areas, shows, shops… A mini Hong Kong themed Disneyland in heart of Central.

Tai Kwun is unique in Hong Kong, whether the various stakeholders allow it to evolve organically or keep it sterile and ‘faux’ Hong Kong we will have to wait and see.

Tai Kwun Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm
Apply for your free Tai Kwun entry pass: https://www.taikwun.hk/en/visit/taikwun_pass

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Tai-Kwun-21-May-2018/i-K9Np5Bp

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Tai-Kwun-21-May-2018/i-sF7TJNR

Ruby Law’s Debut Playboy Shoot

Local photographer Rugby Law celebrated the release of her first USA Playboy shoot – which appears in the May/June 2018 issue – in Wanchai on 4 May. The surprise event organised by her friends saw Law presented with a smoking jacket and a pipe in honour of her Playboy debut.

Law is the first female Hong Kong photographer to appear in the US print edition of the famous magazine – and she’ll soon be appearing again as she’s been commissioned to shoot another set.

Featuring a local model Reluca the 5 hour shoot took place in Bali and showcases Law’s slightly dark, personality  driven style.

You can see more of Ruby’s work here: www.rubylaw.photos

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Ruby-Law-Playboy-Photo-Shoot-Exhibition-4-May-2018/i-5JsQtx9

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Ruby-Law-Playboy-Photo-Shoot-Exhibition-4-May-2018/i-PPZk9G6

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Ruby-Law-Playboy-Photo-Shoot-Exhibition-4-May-2018/i-Fvr5BJ8

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Ruby-Law-Playboy-Photo-Shoot-Exhibition-4-May-2018/i-vsGJSXP

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Ruby-Law-Playboy-Photo-Shoot-Exhibition-4-May-2018/i-hDTrG2w

Click on any photo for more images

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Ruby-Law-Playboy-Photo-Shoot-Exhibition-4-May-2018/i-npM3H5D

9 May, 2018 – edited for clarity that it was a surprise party

Grand Opening @ Galerie Ora-Ora – 1 March, 2018

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Grand-Opening-Galerie-Ora-Ora-1-March-2018/i-gj74Jm9

Galerie Ora-Ora celebrated the grand opening of it’s new space at H Queens on the 1 March, 2018 with a party and the launch of a new group show Screaming Books featuring works by Xu Lei, Peng Wei, Hung Keung, Zhang Yanzi and others.
Click on any photo for the full gallery of images.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Grand-Opening-Galerie-Ora-Ora-1-March-2018/i-C2SsFwV

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Grand-Opening-Galerie-Ora-Ora-1-March-2018/i-7PFgWvJ

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Grand-Opening-Galerie-Ora-Ora-1-March-2018/i-6x4SqPj

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Grand-Opening-Galerie-Ora-Ora-1-March-2018/i-JzSWVkT

Art in March

The art world turns its focus on Hong Kong again this March with multiple exhibitions bringing thousands of art pieces to see, experience and explore. The art is mainly from emerging and established artists from across Asia.

One man’s art though is another’s trash and you’ll wonder exactly what the attraction of some pieces are – but there’s enough variety that you’ll probably find a few things to discus and enjoy.

Art Central

Art Central is a contemporary art fair at the Central Harbourfront from 27 March – 1 April, 2018 with exhibitors showcasing new talent alongside some of the most established galleries from across Asia and the globe.

Art Central
Date: 27 March – 1 April, 2018
Venue: Central Habourfront
Tickets: $500, $230 from Ticketflap
More info:
26 March: 5-9pm
27-28 March: 11am–5pm
29 March: 11am–9pm
30-31 March: 11am-7pm
1 April: 11am-5pm

Art Basel

2018’s Art Basel features 248 galleries from 32 countries including many of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries. They will be exhibiting paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, prints, photography, film, video and digital art by over 4,000 artists.

Art Basel
Date: 27–31 March 2018
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: $2,280, $950, $850, $600 $400, $300, $200 from HKTicketing
More info:
28 March: 5-9pm
29 March: 1-8pm
30 March: 1–9pm
31 March: 11am–6pm

Asia Contemporary Art Show

Artworks from Asia and the world at the 12th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show, March 23-26 at the Conrad Hong Kong. Browse and buy original paintings, limited editions, sculpture and photography by artists from around the world.

Asia Contemporary Art Show
Date: 23-26 March, 2018
Venue: 40/F-43/F, Conrad Hong Kong
Tickets: $220
More info:
23 March: Noon–9pm
24 March: 6–9pm
25 March: Noon–8pm
26 March: Noon-6pm

Harbour Art Fair

A new hotel art fair at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel from 24-26 March. Riding on the current trend of Korean culture, the Harbour Art Fair will be exhibiting nearly 60 emerging Korean galleries and over a hundred art works. The fair will also feature art talks, workshops, and tasting sessions.

Harbour Art Fair
Date: Noon-8pm, 23-26 March, 2018
Venue: 7/F, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
Tickets: $100

Marcel Heijnan @ Divino Patio – 18 November, 2017

Marcel Heijnan, he of ‘Hong Kong market cats’ fame, has a new display of his work in a restaurant in Causeway Centre until 15 December. The artworks look like paintings but are actually photos of items taken through a glass pane.
Click on any image for more photos

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Marcel-Heijnan-Divino-Patio-18-November-2017/i-Wk7qWKs

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Marcel-Heijnan-Divino-Patio-18-November-2017/i-s6Mpvj9

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Marcel-Heijnan-Divino-Patio-18-November-2017/i-rHVVPhw

Artropolis

Now in its fifth year, the theme for Hong Kong Art Week 2017 is “Artropolis”. The 12-day ‘week’ runs from 15 – 26 November and looks to raise awareness of the role that artists, galleries and the art community have in the cultural heartbeat of our unique city.

Organised by the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association ‘Art Week’ features over 50 galleries and a selection of  programmes whose inspiration comes from the city’s vigour and vibrancy and showcase Hong Kong cultural life through exhibitions, performances, charity art walk, activities and talks.

Art Car
Date: 15-21 November, 2017
Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central
Tickets: Free

Art Symposium – Day One
Date: 2:30pm, 17 November, 2017
Venue: Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty
Tickets: Free, reserve your seat: https://www.ticketflap.com/hong-kong-art-week-2017-symposium

Art Symposium – Day Two
Date: 9:30am, 17 November, 2017
Venue: Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Dr., Admiralty
Tickets: Free, reserve your seat: https://www.ticketflap.com/hong-kong-art-week-2017-symposium

The Gallery Walk for Charity
Date: 5pm, 21 November, 2017
Venue: Various locations: Central, Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun
Tickets: $390 from Ticketflap

Art Day at South Island
Date: 12pm, 25 November, 2017
Venue: Various locations: Wong Chuk Hang, Ap Lei Chau, Tin Wan
Tickets: Free, check in at Sensory Zero, G02, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road

Family Art Day
Date: 11am, 26 November, 2017
Venue: Olympic Square, Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive
Tickets: Free