Zhang Wei's "Day Dreaming in the Clouds"on display at Asia Contemporary Art Show is whimsical and vibrant.Art Week is coming up in Hong Kong, and Young Post knows it can be a bit daunting to try and figure out where to go and what to see. Here are some of the top shows, and our outline for where to go and what you can see there:
When: March 12-15
Where: Floors 40-44 of the Conrad Hotel, Admiralty
How much: HK$180 with free guest
What to see: Galleries exhibiting works by living Asian artists. The big name galleries won’t be here, but you’ll get to see some of the more up-and-coming artwork and see what trends are happening.
Why you should go: To talk to artists. The biggest draw is that some of the artists will be there in person to chat to people about their artwork. It’s a great chance for anyone interested in art to talk directly to the artists and find out about their careers and their work.
When: March 13-16
Where: Floors 7/8 of the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: HK$100
What to see: Smaller galleries from around Hong Kong and Asia. The artwork doesn’t have to be by Asian artists, and it’s not all contemporary and modern either. There’s usually a wide range of works from different periods and different artists, including some big names as well.
Why you should go: For a unique experience. The hotel setting is different from other art fair venues, where different galleries set up in hotel rooms instead of big wide spaces. It can be an adventure going from room to room and seeing what treasures you can find behind each door.
When: March 14-16
Where: Central Harbourfront, by Star Ferry pier in Central
How much: HK$50 for students
What to see: Lots of contemporary art, as well as a range of installations and other media projects. This is a new fair this year, so they’ve got a packed schedule and list of galleries and artwork to offer.
Why you should go: To learn about art. Art Central has a whole range of art talks, lectures, tours and performances so you can learn about what you’re seeing and get more familiar with the art world.
When: March 15-17
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Wanchai
How much: HK$250 for a weekday ticket, HK$300 for Sunday
What to see: Hong Kong’s biggest art show. Art Basel is world-famous for bringing art from the top galleries together in one exhibition space, and no other art fair compares when it comes to size and the sheer amount of art you can see in one place.
Why you should go: To see as much as possible. Art Basel is great if you want to see as much art as you can as quickly as possible. But the crowds and rush and endless exhibition space means you have to keep moving, so you won’t get much chance to stop and really appreciate anything.
When: March 12-15
Where: Floor 22, Alexandra House, Central
How much: FREE
What to see: The best art. Most people don’t realise that the best art in the world isn’t in museums, it’s in private collections. And auction previews are your chance to see it. These previews are open to the public and are absolutely free. This sale at Christie’s includes a wide range of both modern and contemporary art from artists around the world.
Why you should go: To get up close and personal with the art. The auction preview won’t have as many pieces as the art fairs, but what it will have will be the top-of-the-line. These previews also tend to draw smaller crowds, and you can get as close to the art and ask as many questions as you want.
Other art events worth checking out:
- HKWalls (March 14-15, Sheung Wan and Central, FREE)
- Fotanian Open Studios (March 14-15, Fo Tan, FREE)
- Chai Wan Mei Art & Design Festival (March 14-15, Chai Wan, FREE)
- South Island Art Night (March 15, Wong Chuk Hang, Ap Lei Chau and Tin Wan, FREE)