Art Basel Hong Kong returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center this week, live with a hybrid format from May 19—23. This ninth edition of the fair will see the introduction of a new virtual initiative, Art Basel Live, along with presentations by 104 galleries from 23 countries and programming across the Insights and Discoveries sectors. The fair also features a total of 56 satellite booths across all sectors in support of galleries unable to travel.
“As we prepare to stage our first physical fair since 2019, we are excited to launch a parallel digital program that brings the excitement and vibrancy of the in-person show to audiences worldwide,” said Marc Spiegler, Global Director, Art Basel. “Art Basel Live is an important step forward building on our Online Viewing Rooms, which we launched in early 2020, adding a rich digital layer to the physical experience of exhibiting and viewing art from across the globe. We look forward to the creative opportunities this new model will present for us and our galleries.”
Michael Müller, “Nr.1 & 2, Verschränkte Werke,” 2019, acrylic and Lacquer on Glass and Alu-dibond, 206 x 167 x 6 CM x 2; courtesy of the artist and Galerie du Monde.
Conceived as a platform to engage a global audience while travel restrictions are still in place, Art Basel Live: Hong Kong will run parallel to the physical fair. The initiative will encompass an online viewing room, special events, and live broadcasts and virtual walkthroughs for VIP attendees, with many exhibitors supplementing their in-person presentations with virtual ones.
With a total of 86 presenters in the main galleries sector, visitors can expect presentations across areas of painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, video, installation, and more, including highlights like a show of first generational experimental art from Korea by Arario Gallery, Vitamin Creative Space’s exhibition of Firenze Lai, Harold Ancart presented by Clearing, works by Elizabeth Glaessner shown by P.P.O.W., and a presentation from first-time participant Karma.
Artwork by Li Qing, courtesy of Almine Rech.
Encompassed in the Insights sector—highlighting the modern art history of Asia and Asia-Pacific—fairgoers will find presentations by 10 galleries including Leo Gallery, Gallery Baton, Morita Shiryū, Asia Art Center, and Nukaga Gallery. And focused on solo shows by emerging artists, Discoveries will include 8 presentations like paintings by Greg Ito shown by first-time participant Anat Ebgi, work by Liu Ren presented by Don Gallery, and Vanguard Gallery’s multimedia installation from Zhu Changquan.
Those local to Hong Kong should also look out for shows at the city’s museums and institutions, like Asia Art Archive’s “Learning What Can’t Be Taught,” Asia Society Hong Kong Centre’s “Extended Figure: The Art and Inspiration of Lalan,” “Portals, Stories, and Other Journeys” at Tai Kwun Contemporary, and Hong Kong Museum of Art’s “Mythologies: Surrealism and Beyond — Masterpieces from Centre Pompidou.”
Gabriel de la Mora, “1,102 III;” from the series “Neornithes”, 2020, Pigmented turkey feathers on museum cardboard, Framed dimensions: 16.93 x 16.93 x 1.57 inches, 11.81 x 11.81 inches; courtesy of the artist and Proyectos Monclova.
