Collectors, gallerists and art lovers will mingle on Thursday May 23rd, for the inaugural edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong. The four-day annual show is the world’s premier art fair and has until now only been held in Basel (June) and Miami (December). More than 2,000 international artists and close to 250 leading galleries, primarily from Asia, will show the audience the very best art of today. Art Basel in known for its quality and it will be interesting to see if the focus will be towards Asian art or also Western art. Hong Kong has become the Asia Art destination with the major auction houses performing their sales. Christies will hold their Spring sales coming weekend and 3 hotel fairs are also held at the same time.
Since Art Basel acquired Art HK in 2011, eleven international galleries has entered into the HK market, hoping to tap into the growing art presence. The local art scene is also buzzing with the government’s development of a massive art and culture district on the Kowloon side where the contemporary art museum M+, headed by Lars Nittve, is expected to show a world-class art selection. Times are good so I am sure the sales will be active.
I look forward to see the show but perhaps the timing is too close to Art Basel main fair in Switzerland. We will see for next year but April would certainly be a better month.
Eight Art Gallery Blog 