Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 - Hybrid Format

First Edition of Art Basel Live

– Taking place in parallel to the 2021 Art Basel Hong Kong Show

Art Basel Hong Kong Show 2021 in Hybrid Format

– With 104 Leading Galleries

Art Basel Hong Kong
© Art Basel

Basel Live, Art Basel’s new digital initiative, will run in parallel to its physical show and feature Online Viewing Rooms, as well as a range of livestreamed events, daily broadcastsand virtual experiences. Bridging the fair’sphysical and digital elements, Art Basel Live will amplify participating galleries, artists,and city–wide cultural programming to a broad global audience. The new digital platform will debut at the upcoming Hong Kong show in May 2021. Art Basel, whose Lead Partner is UBS, takes place from May 19 to May 23, 2021 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Art Basel Hong Kong
Axel Vervoordt Gallery
© Art Basel

The first iteration of ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’, will take place from May 19 to May 23, 2021 in tandem with the physical fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Exhibitors of the in–person show will showcase Online Viewing Room presentations that complement their physical booths. Other program highlights include virtual tours, VIP and public walkthroughs livestreamed from the HKCEC, as well as special events hosted by participating galleries and local institutions. From Sunday, May 16 to Sunday, May 23, 2021 there will be a daily broadcast at 8pm HKT (2pm CEST) from the HKCEC, presenting highlights from the fair as well as throughout the city’s cultural institutions. The broadcast will be streamed on the Art Basel website, YouTube, Facebook, Yitiao and Zai Art.

A key part of Art Basel’s long–term commitment to develop a hybrid format that best serves the ever–evolving gallery ecosystem, Art Basel Live will lend a new dimension to its core fair programming with engaging digital experiences capable of reaching new and existing audiences worldwide. Future iterations will be adapted to each show’s unique content and focus.

Marc Spiegler, Global Director, Art Basel, said:

‘As we prepare to stage our first physical fair since 2019, we are excited to launch a parallel digital program that brings the excitement and vibrancy of the in–person show to audiences worldwide. Art Basel Live is an important step forward building on our Online Viewing Rooms, which we launched in early 2020, adding a rich digital layer to the physical experience of exhibiting and viewing art from across the globe.We look forward to the creative opportunities this new model will present for us and our galleries.

’Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel, said:

‘We are delighted to be able to stage our Hong Kong show this year, not only here at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre but also via a digital platform that will allow an even wider global audienceto participate. “Art Basel Live: Hong Kong”will allow us to bring the exceptional presentations of our galleries and the exciting cultural offerings of Hong Kong to our global network of collectors and patrons, including those who may not be onsite with us in 2021 but nonetheless remain equally engaged from afar.’

A Hybrid Format and 104 Leading Galleries

Art Basel Hong Kong
Gladstone Gallery
© Art Basel

Art Basel Hong Kong returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) with 104 leading galleries from 23 countries and territories selected for the 2021 edition. Bringing togetherArt Basel’s digital and physical platforms in a new scale and format, this year’s show features 56 satellite booths by galleries who could not physically attend and the new ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong‘ initiative to broadcast the show to a global audience. Art Basel Hong Kong will present a unique overview of the diverse art scenes across Asia and beyond, focusing on both historical work from the region and emerging artists and galleries.

The ninth edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will feature a strong line–up of galleries from across Hong Kong and overseas, presenting a wide scope of works including both contemporary positions, such as Rirkrit Tiravanija‘s presentation of paintings inspired by Philip Guston at Gladstone Gallery, Danh Vōpresented by Take Ninagawa, and historical presentations that expand our knowledge of pioneering practices ranging from Fernando Zóbel at Mayoral to a deep dive into the early experimental artists of the 1970s Korea with Arario Gallery.

Art Basel launches the new digital initiative ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’ to amplify the international visibility of its exhibitors by connecting galleries digitally with a global audience. ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong‘ will run in parallel to the show, including an Online Viewing Room, a program of special events, as well as live broadcasts and virtual walkthroughs for VIPs from the HKCEC and throughout the city, bringing audiences from around the world to Hong Kong.

Art Basel Hong Kong
Gallery Kogure
© Art Basel

To further support its galleries in a time of restricted international travel into Hong Kong, Art Basel offers new models and approaches for the 2021 show. Satellite booths have been introduced across all sectors for exhibitors whose physical attendance is not possible due to current regulations. With 56 booths this new concept will allow each exhibitor to present their own small, curated exhibition that will be staffed by a local representative appointed by Art Basel.

Reflecting the type of collaborative events catalyzed by the pandemic period, several international galleries have also joined forces for collective booths, such as Silverlens and Rossi & Rossi, Meyer Riegger and Sies + Höke, as well as Antenna Space and Balice Hertling. A special highlight will be the collective booth by eight leading Italian galleries: Alfonso Artiaco, Cardi Gallery, Galleria Continua, Galleria Franco Noero, Galleria d’Arte Maggiore G.A.M., Mazzoleni, Massimo De Carlo and Rossi & Rossi. Art Basel also welcomes the Fine Art Asia Pavilion as a special feature of the show, a thematic showcase of antiques and objet d’art made mostly before the 1940s.

Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel said:

‘It has been truly inspiring to witness the ways in which the art world has been adapting to the current circumstances. We are deeply grateful to our participating galleries for their commitment to our show here in Hong Kong this year. Once again, Hong Kong’s institutions and non–profits have offered their full support by putting together a range of programs and events alongside Art Basel Hong Kong. We are delighted that we are able to introduce new models that support our galleries, from the satellite booths to the expansion of our digital offerings as a way to amplify the international reach of our galleries with ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong‘.

Art Basel Hong Kong
Wooson
© Art Basel

Galleries

The main sector of the show features 86 of the world’s leading galleries presenting the highest quality of painting, sculpture, drawings, installation, photography, video and digital works. This year’s Galleries sector includes a strong overview of historical works from Asia, such as the presentation of the first generation of experimental artist from Korea, Kim Kulim, Byungso Choi, and Soun–Gui Kimat Arario Gallery; Tokyo Gallery + BTAP‘s showcase of work by Yoshio Sekine, Kishio Suga, Jiro Takamatsu, Lee Ufan, Lee Jin Woo, and Park Seo–Bo. These historical presentations will be complemented by a range of young artists such as Firenze Lai at Vitamin Creative Space, Harold Ancart at Clearing, Elizabeth Glaessner at P.P.O.W, Trevor Shimizu at 47 Canal, and Bendt Eyckermans at Carlos/Ishikawa. Participating in the Hong Kong show for the first time, Proyectos Monclova from Mexico City will present a selection of new works by Gabriel de la Mora from his ongoing series, ‘Neornithes’. Other first–time participants include Karma, while Empty Gallery and Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery will be graduating from Insights.

List of Galleries – artbasel.com/hongkong/galleries.

Art Basel Hong Kong
Shibunkaku
© Art Basel

Insights

Bringing together 10 galleries this year, Insights illustrates the modern art history of Asia and the Asia–Pacific through curated presentation of works by important artists from the region. Highlights include: a series of new works by Korean photographer Heeseung Chung at Gallery Baton; Leo Gallery’s presentation with Lin Yan, whose work interprets ink and Chinese rice paper in a contemporary way; first–time participant Shibunkaku’s booth of works by post–war Japanese artist Morita Shiryū, a pivotal figure in contemporary calligraphy in Asia; and Axel Vervoordt Gallery’s presentation of ‘Encounter –A Mirror Woman’ by Korean artist Kimsooja. Asia Art Center will juxtapose the works of Lee Tsai–chien and Fadjar Sidik, who are from Taiwan and Indonesia respectively, to explore the evolution of geometric abstraction in the two regions; while Nukaga Gallery will bring together works by Saori Akutagawa and Yuki Katsura, two radical women artists who represent the dynamic creative transformation experienced by women in post–war Japan.

Gallery list for Insights: artbasel.com/hongkong/insights.

Art Basel Hong Kong
Anat Ebgi
© Art Basel

Discoveries

Focused on solo shows by emerging artists, Discoveries this year features 8 galleries, including first–time participant Anat Ebgi, showcasing new paintings by Greg Ito. Other highlights include High Art’s presentation of paintings by Hun Kyu Kimth at take inspiration from the tradition of Korean silk painting technique, and Shanghai–based conceptual artist Liu Ren presented by Don Gallery. Capsule Shanghai will present Hong Kong–based artist Leelee Chan, while Vanguard Gallery will showcase a multi–media installation by Shandong–born artist Zhu Changquan.

Gallery list for Discoveries: artbasel.com/hongkong/discoveries.

Art Basel Hong Kong
Asia Art Center
© Art Basel

Museums Shows and Institutions

Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to view Hong Kong’s leading museums and institutions:

–Asia Art Archive

‘Learning What Can’t Be Taught‘

–Asia Society Hong Kong Centre

‘Extended Figure: The Art and Inspiration of Lalan‘

–Hong Kong Museum of Art

‘Mythologies: Surrealism and Beyond –Masterpieces from Centre Pompidou’

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–Tai Kwun Contemporary

‘Portals, Stories, and Other Journeys‘

-The Hong Kong Art Gallery Association (HKAGA) host a series of gallery nights in the lead up to Art Basel Hong Kong.

In line with Art Basel’s commitment to engaging with the broadest possible audiences, the fair will once again open its doors to the public on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23, in accordance with all local health and safety regulations.

*As ever, Art Basel’s highest priority at all times remains the health and safety of its staff, exhibitors, and visitors. In full compliance with the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulations from the Hong Kong government, the physical layout and logistics of the show have been planned with social distancing considerations, including widened aisles, reduced hall capacity, and setting up social distancing queues on site.Forfurther details on the health and safety measurements for the show, please visit artbasel.com/hong–kong/at–the–show.