This is the third post following the previous article.
This time, as a first-time attendee at Art Basel Hong Kong, I have summarized what I learned to prepare for next time.
*If you have information or advice from having attended Art Basel Hong Kong, please share it with us here → We welcome your input via this form!
Art Basel Hong Kong 2019
This article is written by a first-time attendee at Art Basel Hong Kong 2019, covering things to bring, dress code, and tips to keep in mind when travelling to and entering the fair.
Since I wrote from many different angles, the result turned out to be quite comprehensive.
It also reflects my personal opinions, so please read it as a general reference.
For my review of Art Basel Hong Kong, see the articles summarized below.
[1] Tickets
First, the most important point I want to raise is the entry ticket.
There are two ways to obtain entry tickets: advance online booking and same-day tickets. However, same-day tickets are hard to obtain — you may be kept waiting for hours, or find that they are SOLD OUT and unavailable.
Also, even with an advance booking, when redeeming the ticket on the day of the fair you may be forced to queue for hours — reportedly some people waited three hours and still could not redeem.
ときの忘れものブログ:アートバーゼル香港から帰国しました をアップしました。 https://t.co/37VILTCBbW
アートバーゼル香港から帰国しました。
201903バーゼル入り口一般公開初日、チケット前売りは既に完売で、入り口には当日チケットを求めて長蛇の行列で3時間待ちだったそうです。 pic.twitter.com/kIGSHrUvN4— tokinowasuremono (@Watanuki_Ltd) 2019年4月11日
I was able to enter with an acquaintance who had a VIP ticket, so I escaped the worst-case scenario. *A VIP entry pass allows one accompanying person to enter free of charge.
On the other hand, there was also information that some people saw individuals reselling used entry passes near the entrance gate.
This exploits a loophole in the entry system, which uses anonymous barcode checks.
バーゼル香港、当たり前だけどVIPで行くのが一番良き😭一般参加列、厳しすぎるー!オンラインで事前に購入しても3時間以上並んだ😭めちゃくちゃ大変!作家として作品出して参加するのが一番ですね。。。
— ShimizUchikawAyumi (@z_u_u_m_i) 2019年3月29日
To avoid this situation, I believe the following options are essentially the only choices.
- Book online in advance and redeem your ticket before the fair opens. *Confirm redemption methods on the ticket site.
- Obtain a VIP entry pass. *The standard route is to receive one from an exhibiting gallery.
- Attend as an accompanying guest of a VIP pass holder.
Traveling all the way from Japan only to be unable to enter would be the worst outcome, and must be avoided.
As the most important tip, I have described it at the very beginning.
With a VIP entry pass in hand, I was able to walk right through the reception gate. The same applies to accompanying guests.
[2] Things to Bring
Here I want to record, partly as a personal memo, the essentials you shouldn’t forget to bring to Art Basel Hong Kong.
*Thanks to fellow collector A for giving me tips in advance!
- Hong Kong dollars in cash: Exchange money right after arriving at Hong Kong Airport (better exchange rates than in Japan). Cashless payment has not spread as widely, so cash is necessary. There were no currency exchange counters near the fair venue (as confirmed on-site in 2019).
Some galleries did not accept credit cards — a collector paying in cash. *Photo shows Art Central Hong Kong - Smartphone: For all kinds of information searches, on-site communication (calls, email, LINE, etc.), maps to destinations, taking photos with the camera, and more.
- Offline Google Maps: Usable on your smartphone without consuming mobile data. Highly recommended!
- Internet connection: An overseas-compatible SIM card or mobile Wi-Fi to keep your smartphone connected is also a must-have. There was free Wi-Fi inside the Art Basel Hong Kong venue, but I got the impression that there were very few reliable free Wi-Fi spots at stations or in the city.
- Mobile battery pack: This may just be because I use my phone heavily, but with all-day use the battery drained remarkably quickly. Bringing one is one of those items you’ll want simply for peace of mind.
- Travel plug adapter: Hong Kong’s power outlets differ from the Japanese ones. Bring a plug adapter.
I used a MUJI “Travel Plug Adapter” together with an “International USB Power Outlet.” - Digital camera: Art Basel Hong Kong allows photography of all works. A smartphone camera is fine, but I also brought a digital camera. The pocket-sized compact “GR3” is highly recommended. Since I ended up taking a huge number of shots, I preferred to use a PC — not my phone — for sorting and reviewing them.
[3] Clothing and Shoes
At Art Basel Hong Kong, you’ll want to dress the part as a collector to communicate smoothly with gallerists.
The gallerists on the floor are sizing up “collectors with real intent to buy.”
Setting aside those who wish to avoid interaction, depending on how you communicate with gallerists, useful information for your collection may become available. If you wear a jacket and dress smartly, gallerists are more likely to approach you. Visitors dressed elegantly were repeatedly courted by gallerists in scenes I witnessed several times.
If you enter the venue looking properly put-together, gallerists’ responses will clearly shift. I was dressed in ordinary clothes without a jacket, but I had a world-famous Leica camera hanging around my neck — and several gallerists said “Nice camera!” to me and closed the distance. Also, by engaging gallerists sincerely, I received various benefits: being shown works by an artist I admired that weren’t on display, or being given a copy of a not-for-sale artist book. Had I dressed a bit more sharply, the responses might have been even better. I’m noting this as a point to consider for the future.
Related to clothing, please also pay attention to your shoes. At Art Basel Hong Kong, you’ll walk a lot. Your shoes need to be easy to walk in.
My shoes were the Swiss-made sneakers “On”.
These are running shoes favored by a well-known female gallerist who also exhibits at Art Basel Hong Kong. The chic design is versatile enough to pair with a jacket. They are lightweight and cause less fatigue — please try them if you’re interested.
[4] Flights and Accommodation
Ideally, secure your hotel on-site as early as possible.
By using booking sites such as Booking.com and reserving rooms with free cancellation in advance, you can lock in favorable prices and conditions.
Flights should also be booked early, depending on your purpose.
I was able to book a round-trip on a budget airline for around 40,000 yen (booked on January 25).
There are many flights to Hong Kong with plenty of options, but many travelers are also heading there for Art Basel. Early booking is recommended.
[5] Nearby Events
During Art Basel Hong Kong, the entire city of Hong Kong is steeped in art.
Nearby facilities and galleries put on various programs timed to coincide with the fair, and were drawing crowds.
At a commercial complex called “pacific-place,” a live-painting event was held to commemorate a solo exhibition by Miwa Komatsu, and it was drawing crowds.
This event was organized by Whitestone Gallery, apparently in conjunction with Miwa Komatsu’s solo exhibition held locally.
Held at the same time was a solo exhibition by KAWS.
I knew it was being held at a venue called PMQ and that admission was free, but I didn’t know that advance booking on the website was required.
Also, touring the existing galleries in Hong Kong is one of the pleasures. H Queen’s houses many well-known galleries, so it’s a place where you can experience many exhibitions in one go. *Many galleries are closed on Sundays.
[6] Non-Art Recommended Spots
Art Basel Hong Kong is simply exhausting.
There’s the fatigue of traveling from Japan, of course, but the walking distances — from accessing the venue to the amount of walking inside the fair — will also be a significant burden.
If you follow up Basel with Art Central, more galleries, and other stops, your legs will get more tired than you might imagine. A trip to Hong Kong is likely to demand your body over several days. You’ll want to recover as much as possible. What I recommend for that is massage. In Hong Kong there is an area lined with Thai-style massage shops, where you can get a massage for a very reasonable price.
The recommended massage shops that came up in Japanese-language searches didn’t respond when I rang the intercom. Giving up, I wandered around the area looking for another. The location was around Wan Chai.
There I noticed a passing sign, was drawn in by the low prices, and stepped inside. The shop is called “Foot Kingdom Health” (足君健康).
Opening the shop door, the lighting was quite dim and the atmosphere a bit dubious.
There was one other customer, the receptionist was an older lady, and the massage therapists were all young women (about five of them were lined up in chairs in front of me). I hesitated slightly, but I was thoroughly worn out. Since the price was low, I asked for the full-body course, 60 minutes for 180 HKD (about 2,600 yen in Japanese currency).
I would have preferred a male therapist, but contrary to expectations the young woman’s massage skills were quite something. To cut to the conclusion, it was really good! She worked tirelessly, checked in with “OK?” partway through, and the whole atmosphere was gentle and welcoming.
My whole body felt lighter, the swelling in my legs eased, and the shoes I had been wearing felt loose compared to when I entered the shop.
*Reportedly, fellow collectors who went in late at night were offered some other kind of service — or perhaps not…
Whether it was thanks to the massage or not, I felt actively recovered for the next day’s activities. Hong Kong’s Thai massage is inexpensive yet high-quality — highly recommended!
Summary
Above, I’ve summarized the things I felt should be kept in mind at Art Basel Hong Kong.
This was my first time attending, so I may not yet be seeing the whole picture.
There are surely many points beyond what I’ve mentioned that I haven’t noticed, but I’d like to keep visiting and continue exploring the pleasures of Hong Kong more deeply next time and beyond.
