Continuing from the previous article, this is Chapter 2.
The article is structured to include many photographs of the exhibited works so the atmosphere of the art fair comes through.
Art Basel in Hong Kong
Staff scanned the barcode on my issued card, I passed through the gate, and I was inside Art Basel Hong Kong.
The entrance is on the 3rd floor, so that’s where the visit begins.
The floor is vast, and the fair spans a total of two floors — the 3rd floor plus the 1st floor.
Right past the entrance was a work by Leiko Ikemura, credited with a mysterious kanji rendering of her name — “池村礼子” — that I had never seen before. It was my first time seeing Leiko Ikemura’s name written in kanji.
The work takes up one of Leiko Ikemura’s key themes, “horizon,” and would not look out of place in a museum exhibition.
At 50 cm × 70 cm, the price was a stunning “US$32,000,” and multiple pieces had already been sold.
As I’ll describe later, the prices at Basel Hong Kong are big — just as big as the event itself.
While the touring Leiko Ikemura exhibition — which will also travel to Switzerland — is underway, encountering an unframed, bare work right in front of me was moving.
This masterpiece-tier work by Leiko Ikemura is one I hadn’t even seen at her Japanese-representing gallery “ShugoArts.” It was exhibited by Galerie Karsten Greve.
The first Leiko Ikemura work I encountered felt emblematic of Art Basel Hong Kong.
That is to say: this is a place where artists and works positioned right at the center of the current art scene circulate unreservedly.
Art Basel Hong Kong — S-Class Works
For S-class artists whose prices you can’t even ask about, let’s just say it’s bliss and fun enough simply to look.
What surprised me was a gallery that presented an Egon Schiele exhibition.
Art Basel Hong Kong — Assorted Works
Art Basel Hong Kong is a festival of contemporary art, and the sheer scale of the works by currently active artists is overwhelming.
Art Basel Hong Kong — Japanese Galleries and Artists
Japanese galleries and artists were putting up a strong showing too.
Quite a few galleries are competing here without even bothering with Art Fair Tokyo.
Standing in this venue, that strategy makes perfect sense. Look around at the visitors and you see the wealthy, celebrities, ladies and gentlemen in abundance.
150.0 × 150.0 cm 2019
Watercolor on paper 30.0 × 42.0cm
VIP Area
The “Collectors Lounge” is a space accessible only to VIP ticket holders.
The crowding of the main venue eases here a little, and sofas are provided to rest your feet.
Characteristics of Art Basel Hong Kong
The Art Basel Hong Kong venue spans two floors. It’s just about walkable in a single day, but with the crowds and the sheer volume of works on view, the fatigue is no joke. I’d recommend a two-day schedule so you can view at a relaxed pace.
Based on my first-time visit to Art Basel Hong Kong, I’ve summarized below the “characteristics of Art Basel Hong Kong” that set it apart from Art Fair Tokyo (personal impressions included).
*I went on Friday afternoon — the first day the general public could enter.
- The venue is absolutely huge! *Be mindful of the walking distance
- Visitors are highly international *It’s an Asian fair, but there were also many Western and Arab visitors
- You spot celebrities and wealthy guests *Easy to identify by appearance
- High proportion of women in their 20s (uniformly taking photos on their phones, including selfies)
- Photography of everything in the venue is OK! *Way more smartphones than digital cameras
- Universal captions across all galleries, crossing gallery boundaries *Easy to read
- Captions do not display prices *Common rule
- Gallery booths are spacious and generously designed *Felt less crowded than Art Fair Tokyo
- Lavish exhibition works including S-class artists *Though the prices are top-tier as well
- Work prices are also S-class — very high indeed!
I’ve compiled reflections for next time and advice for those planning to attend. Please also refer to this article.
Mahiro Kobayashi
Overview
Art Basel Hong Kong 2019
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Dates: Wednesday, March 27 – Sunday, March 31, 2019
Private View (Invitation Only)
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 14:00-20:00
Thursday, March 28, 2019 13:00-17:00
Vernissage
Thursday, March 28, 2019 17:00-19:00
Public Days
Friday, March 29 & Saturday, March 30, 2019 13:00-20:00
*12:00-13:00 each day *VIP-only viewing
Sunday, March 31, 2019 11:00-18:00
Admission
Single Day Ticket
Friday, March 29, 2019 Advance: HK$300 / Same-day: HK$375
Saturday, March 30, 2019 Advance: HK$400 / Same-day: HK$475
Sunday, March 31, 2019 Advance: HK$400 / Same-day: HK$475
