Hong Kong (Taiwan News) – Art Basel Hong Kong is set to take over the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from March 28-30, with a glamorous opening night on March 27.
This year’s edition features 240 galleries from 42 countries and regions, including heavyweights like Gagosian, Galleria Continua, and Hauser & Wirth. With 23 galleries making their debut, the fair is a global celebration of creativity, and Taiwan’s vibrant art scene is stealing the spotlight.
ABHK dives headfirst into the fusion of art and technology. The Encounters section, curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor and themed “As the World Turns,” showcases 18 large-scale installations, 14 of which were created exclusively for the fair.
These works explore digital art, nature, and human interaction, extending beyond the exhibition halls to create an immersive experience.
One standout piece is “DOKU – The Creator” by Shanghai-born, Tokyo-based artist Lu Yang (陸揚), presented by de Sarthe Gallery and COMA. This interactive pop-up shop combines digital art, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality to bring Lu’s digital avatar, DOKU, to life as an independent artist.
“DOKU” challenges viewers to rethink originality and the value of art in a hyper-technological world.
Taiwan's presence at the fair is stronger than ever, with 11 galleries showcasing the nation's rich cultural heritage and contemporary innovation.
Each Modern presents “Provoke” by Japanese photographer Nakahira Takuma, a thought-provoking exploration of self-dissolution through his post-coma works. Meanwhile, first-time participant Yi Yun Art presents a selection of paintings and calligraphy by Yu Peng (于彭), whose life and art reflect Taiwan’s cultural shifts after the end of martial law.
PTT Space pays tribute to the late mixed-media pioneer Chen Hsing-wan (陳幸婉) with “Devotions,” a retrospective of her 1980s and 1990s works that highlight her experimental approach to materials and form.
Yiri Arts offers a playful yet poignant take on labor and family memory with Huang Po-chih’s (黃博志) “Elephant in the Closet,” a project that collaborates with his mother and children to reinterpret her experiences as a garment worker.
The Kabinett section, featuring 36 galleries — the most in the fair’s history — spotlights thematic exhibitions within gallery booths, with a strong focus on Asian artists. Ink Studio presents a group show of post-Mao ink paintings by artists like Liu Dan (劉丹) and Li Jin (李津), while Axel Vervoordt Gallery showcases Ann Leda Shapiro’s “Manifestation of Qi,” a mesmerizing exploration of life systems and the mind-body connection.
The new MGM Discoveries Art Prize supports emerging artists and galleries. Finalists include Min Shen, Kayode Ojo, and Saju Kunhan, with the winner announced during the fair.
In a nod to Hong Kong’s cultural history, Art Basel has teamed up with M+ Art Museum for the fourth time to present “Night Charades” by Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen. This algorithmic piece will illuminate the M+ Facade, reimagining the city’s cinematic golden age through ever-changing characters and scenes.
This year also marks the debut of the 20th BMW Art Car, designed by renowned US artist Julie Mehretu. Known as “rolling sculptures,” BMW Art Cars have captivated audiences globally since 1975.
Mehretu’s design transforms her monumental painting “Everywhen” into a three-dimensional masterpiece, blending dynamism and artistry.
The year 2023 was a landmark for Mehretu when her work “Insile” sold for US$9.5 million (NT$300 million) at Art Basel Paris, and she opened her largest solo show in Europe at Palazzo Grassi in Venice. Her collaboration with BMW is yet another milestone in her illustrious career.
