Navigating The Art Basel In Hong Kong

TATLER FOCUSHow to get the most out of your art experience at the city’s leading art fair.

If the year 2017 saw a bumper crop of art fairs (biennales and triennales included) around the world, the arts calendar this year is no less jam-packed. And every collector, whether you are serious about your art or just starting to acquire, knows the adrenaline rush that accompanies the hunt for your next masterpiece—you may even have the fairs that are worth travelling for marked out on your calendar and weaved into your travel plans.

Make a pit stop in Hong Kong this month for Art Basel. Held from March 29 to 31, at the Hong Kong Convention And Exhibition Centre, the sixth edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong will feature 248 leading international and regional galleries from 32 countries around the world. Over half of the participating galleries this year have exhibition spaces in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, affirming the fair’s commitment to having a finger firmly on the pulse of the region’s diverse art history, featuring cutting-edge works by established and emerging artists.

Above Formation of a Square I (2017) by Chant Avedissian (Image: Sabrina Amrani Gallery, Madrid)

To help you navigate through it all, Art Basel in Hong Kong is offering guests its first-ever Premier Pass. This all-in-one pass grants you access to the vernissage on March 28 and two public days, including an extra VIP hour. Because why not? With so many talents on show, you need to take your time to find that new addition (or additions)—whether it is a painting, sculpture, photograph or digital work—to your prized collection. With the Premier Pass, you are also be entitled to priority booking for film screenings, public tours, and more. The Premier Pass is only available for purchase in advance.

Above Start. Stop. (2008) by Subodh Gupta (Image: Subodh Gupta and Arario Gallery)

This year’s fair also sees a strong focus on works by Asian artists, especially in the Kabinett sector, which will showcase 30 thematic group presentations and solo shows featuring both established and emerging artists. These includes Hong Kong pioneer conceptual and performance artist, Kwok Mang-ho (aka Frog King), who will restage his iconic 1992 work, Frog King Calligraphy Shop, and Egyptian artist Chant Avedissian, who will blanket an entire booth at Sabrina Amrani Gallery with his abstract and geometric works.

Other highlights include monumental sculptures displayed throughout the fair ground such as Indian artist Subodh Gupta’s Start. Stop., a slow-moving sushi belt carrying tiffin boxes and pots evoking India’s iconic dabbawallas, a lunch delivery collective.

Above Gazing Ball: Fragonard Girl with Dog (2017) by Jeff Koons (Image: Jeff Koons and Two Palms)

It is not just the Asian talents you should look out for. American artist Jeff Koons will be at the fair with his works presented by David Zwirner Gallery, while Gagosian Gallery will host works by big names the likes of Pablo Picasso, Cy Twombly and Francis Bacon.

One of the biggest modern and contemporary art fairs in the world, Art Basel is backed by almost 50 years of experience, and the sister event in Hong Kong kicks off its annual fair calendar, with the original Basel fair in June and Miami Beach in December.

Above Rule 2 – Tunnel by Michael Cook (Image: Michael Cook and This Is No Fantasy + Dianne Tanzer Gallery)

Art Basel Hong Kong runs from March 29 to 31, with the vernissage on March 28, at the Hong Kong Convention And Exhibition Centre. Purchase the Premier Pass online.

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Tatler Asia

Navigating The Art Basel In Hong Kong