The inaugural edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong is in the last stages of preparation, ahead of one of the most important events of the year. This comes two years after it was revealed that ART HK was coming under the control of MCH Group. Rebranded and rebooted, Basel now has a truly global reach.
Housed at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, this expo will attract some of the world’s most influential artists, directors and investors to Asia, where they will be exposed to the latest happenings in art, against an Eastern backdrop.
It goes without saying that because of the brand, it is expected to be a success. You could bet your favourite Pollock on that, so sure is everyone that this new Hong Kong edition has been well-curated.
After all, Art Basel, which was founded in 1970, is known for being a leader in delivering some of the most engaging, diverse and comprehensive art festivals in recent times.
For 30 years it was based in the Swiss city it borrows its name from, garnering respect from all four corners of the world, which gave it the confidence to branch out. While in the twentieth century this would have meant hopping over the border to France, in the twenty first century it required a trip across the Atlantic.
In 2002 it added Miami to its roster. As it began to build up a solid base in the American city, it could see, from afar, the growing importance of the East, both in terms of the region’s buying power and “better late than never” appreciation of the art it is and has been producing.
“This new show aspires to play a central role in creating new bridges between the Western art scene and the rapidly emerging contemporary art scenethroughout Asia,” explained Annette Schönholzer, co-director of Art Basel, last year.
And so here we are, in the most exciting and tense part of the show. While it is exceptionally inclusive, it is leaning towards a celebration and promotion of Asian art, and quite rightly so.
“At least half of the participating galleries hail from Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, and works from both emerging talents and modern masters will cover 1,200 years of art history in paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs and video,” Forbes reported.
Museums participating in the inaugural edition include exhibitors who have never shown work in Hong Kong before, such as 303 Gallery (New York); Ameringer McEnery Yohe (New York); Andréhn-Schiptjenko, (Stockholm); Dirimart, (Istanbul); Galerie OMR (Mexico City); Galeria Pedro Cera (Lisbon); Johnen Galerie (Berlin); and Mayoral Galeria D’Art (Barcelona).
Art Basel in Hong Kong runs from 23rd until 26th May 2013.
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