When event venues shut down globally during the pandemic, people flocked online in record numbers to satisfy their deep craving for art and culture. As the world cautiously looks to resume international travel and bring back events, it is fitting that art is a driving force to make this happen, with Hong Kong paving the way in the hope of safely staging large-scale events again.
In May, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) rolled out the ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign to promote a series of major events, in both physical and digital format, organised by fair organisers and cultural institutions around town. It ensures that audiences can reconnect with art and the vitality of Hong Kong, whether here in person or abroad.
After an absence of more than two years because of the pandemic, Art Basel took place from 21st to 23rd May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). More than 100 galleries from Asia, Europe and the Americas have confirmed their participation. In addition, Art Central ran concurrently at the HKCEC for the first time, and is free to attend with registration. The annual French May will continue to offer cultural entertainment, with over 100 events running from 1st May to 30th June.
To ensure that all fair participants have a stress-free experience, best-practice health and safety protocols will be followed, including mask-wearing, timed entry, reduced capacity, wider aisles and regular cleaning.
Art has long had the power to break down boundaries, and unite and inspire people. Thanks to the depth of its imagination and creativity, Hong Kong’s dynamic arts community has nimbly pivoted to offer hybrid physical and virtual events for people around the world.
presented by two local celebrities.
In addition to Art Basel, which will launch a new digital initiative, ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’, in parallel with the physical show to amplify its international visibility, fairs that have adopted the hybrid format include Art Central and Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival 2021. While Hong Kong Arts Festival’s PLUS programme is featuring a diverse line-up of online and in-venue experiences, the soon-to-be-opened West Kowloon Cultural District’s M+ museum is offering online movie screenings on demand.
Actively contributing to Hong Kong’s art revival, the HKTB created a dedicated campaign website, a one-stop platform providing essential information about ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ and introducing online showcases, art itineraries, an event calendar, artsy offers, interviews with art insiders, and more.
presented by two local celebrities.
In the online showcases, curated virtual experiences, provided by both international fairs and local events, are all at the fingertips of viewers, regardless of where they are located. It also features an interactive microfilm presented by two local celebrities – multidisciplinary artist Ivana Wong and director Kearen Pang – at some of the city’s coolest attractions, including Tai Kwun, The Mills and the West Kowloon Cultural District.
And if you’re feeling a little stressed? Take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, join a fun and relaxing art workshop, where you’ll be working on your own piece of art with an artist while learning about the coolest art happenings and cultural attractions in Hong Kong virtually through a live-streamed guided tour. Featured hosts and artists include artist Terese Chan, Chef Christian Yang, singer-actress Adrienne Lau, and Street Art expert Alexandra Unrein. Most impressive of all? It’s all done live, not pre-recorded, and for those who’ve missed being in Hong Kong, or even residents, will get a full hour to experience the city from a new angle, appreciating the little nooks, crannies and sights that make it such a beloved city, while incorporating its bustling arts scene into the tour.
Exclusively for the ‘Sip Back & Sketch’ workshop, Terese has created two Hong Kong-inspired ‘Zentangles’ for guests to play with. One taking inspiration from the pineapple bun with the iconic crisscrossed sugary cookie top layer and the other, a steamed pork bun with the swirl, both classic dishes ordered during a traditional Hong Kong dim sum meal. During this workshop, participants will be able to try out these tangles for the first time.
While international travel is still yet to resume, the wealth of virtual experiences on offer once again highlights Hong Kong’s diverse wealth of cultural treasures and underscores the city’s ability to remain agile in the face of unprecedented disruption.
Find out more about Arts in Hong Kong on their website here
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