bc magazine

Art Basel, Treasure or Trash

After a two-year absence, courtesy of covid Art Basel returns as a physical event… Although with travel quarantine measures still in place many of the regular Art Basel participants are not here.

If we’re being honest – among art aficionados, the amount of hot air often overpowers the strongest aircon – this year’s Art Basel was simply boring.

While art is very subjective and personal and what you like I may not. Art Basel usually has a fair number of pieces that even if you don’t like them they get you thinking or stimulate discussion. This year it was a bit like walking through Ikea it was all so bland, safe and derivative. Not to mention that most participating artists were of the idea that big, bigger and biggest will be ‘more better’ (and profitable).

Here are a few pieces that were less ordinary than the rest, more can be found here:

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-wnPCBkm

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-r5RN4cF

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-mh9PWSW

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-Q4K6J29

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-JzdkgxJ

Art Basel 2022

Art Basel
Date: 25-29 May, 2022
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: $850, $650, $450, $350, $250 from HKTicketing
More info:
25 May: 5-9pm
26 May: 1-8pm
27-28 May: 1–9pm
29 May: 11am–6pm

Art Basel Postponed from March to May 2022

Art Basel today postponed its Hong Kong fair, which was scheduled to take place in March 2022, to May 2022 in response to the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic and related travel restrictions.

Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel said: “By taking this decision early, our goal is to ensure that we will be able to welcome the community of art supporters and members of the public at HKCEC, as well as the international audience that will be joining us virtually while protecting the health and safety of everyone concerned.”

The 2022 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 27-29 May, 2022, with preview days on 25-26 May.

Art Basel
Date: 25-29 May, 2022
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: tbc

Art Basel Postponed from March to May 2021

Art Basel today postponed its Hong Kong fair, which was scheduled to take place in March 2021, to May 2021 in response to the ongoing impact of the Wuhan virus pandemic and related travel restrictions.

Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel said: “We believe shifting the fair to May is the right decision given the current development of the pandemic and its impact on international travel restrictions. By taking the decision early, our aim is to support our galleries in advance planning for their 2021 programs. We very much look forward to hosting our show in May next year and to welcoming gallerists, collectors, and art lovers back to Hong Kong at that time.”

The 2021 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 21-23 May, 2021, with preview days on 19-20 May.

Art Basel
Date: 21-23 May, 2021
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: tbc

Floating Companion

Florentijn Hofman’s giant yellow floating duck was the talk of the town in 2013, what will Hongkongers make of ‘Companion’ the 37-metre-long inflatable version of American street artist Kaws signature character which will float in the middle of Victoria Harbour later this month during Art Basel.

The 10-day waterborne installation starts on the 22 March and Hong Kong is the latest stop for the touring exhibition dubbed ‘Kaws:Holiday’. Companion will be anchored in the harbour by a metal base weighing 40 tons, with the project costing an insane HK$10 million.

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

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

Art Basel – 21-22 March, 2017

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Art-Basel-22-March-2017/i-JqDF72Z

There’s a lot to see at this year’s Art Basel, but there’s also a lot to do with conversations, trams and films to fit in as you explore the wide range of art on show.

All art ‘speaks’ to each of us in different ways, you can admire the skill (or not) of an artist but find their work does nothing for you. So rather than suggesting not to miss ‘x’ or ‘y’, bc recommends that you explore and find those works that speak or connect to you in some way. Enjoy them, then wander away for awhile and come back again later. Was the work just flirting with you the first time, or do you still feel the piece’s attraction…?

Click on any photo for the full gallery of images and art.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Art-Basel-21-March-2017/i-Pj4ZNtC

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Art-Basel-21-March-2017/i-WKZNwNx

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Art-Basel-22-March-2017/i-HV9PdTh

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Art-Basel-22-March-2017/i-cGMWhkN