Art Basel may be the headlining event in Hong Kong this week, but it’s far from the only show in town. From expansive public art installations to satellite fairs and intimate gallery shows, here is a look at what you won’t want to miss in Hong Kong this fair week.
Art Central Art Fair at the Central Harborfront
Yang Jung’s Scenery of Dialogue (2018). Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai.
If you still have fair fever, there are more than 100 international galleries coming to Hong Kong for the fourth edition of Art Central. Highlights include the “Projects” section, where six installations address historical narratives using cutting-edge technology.
March 27–April 1 at 9 Lung Wo Road Central, opposite Hong Kong City Hall.
Harbour Arts Sculpture Park
Wong Chi-Yung’s The Memories from the Tower of Light (2018) outside the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. Image courtesy of Harbour Arts Sculpture Park.
The first international sculpture park in Hong Kong opened earlier this year with a host of blue-chip works by artists including Antony Gormley, Michael Craig Martin, Rasheed Araeen, Tracey Emin, and Yayoi Kusama.
Through April 11 at Central and Western District Promenade, the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Western Garden, Edinburgh Place.
“Remi Rough: Morning Dynamics” at the Quarry Bay MTR Station
Remi Rough in front of his new mural at Quarry Bay MTR. Courtesy of Swire Properties and MTR, with Aedas.
British artist Remi Rough has transformed the walls of an underground train station with a vibrantly colored geometric mural. Organized by Swire Properties and MTR Hong Kong with Aedas architects, the site-specific work is sure to catch the eyes of even the most harried urban commuters.
Ongoing from March 23 at Taikoo Place exit at Quarry Bay MTR station.
“Jim Lambie: Spiral Scratch” at Pacific Place
Jim Lambie’s Spiral Scratch installation at Pacific Place in Hong Kong.
Turner Prize nominee Jim Lambie has turned the Garden Court in Hong Kong’s Pacific Place into a dizzying labyrinth with his site-specific installation Spiral Scratch. The floor-based mural is comprised of meticulously laid vinyl tape that undulates and distorts the space—all the while making for some exceptional Instagram fodder.
On view through April 8 at Pacific Place, 88 Queensway.
“George Condo: Expanded Portrait Compositions” at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum
George Condo’s Laughing and Screaming (2017). Courtesy of Skarstedt and Sprüth Magers.
For just two weeks, a new body of work by George Condo will be on view at Hong Kong’s Maritime Museum. With an ever-increasing appetite for Western artists, particularly during the international invasion that is Art Basel, visitors will be treated to Condo’s solo debut in the city.
March 27–April 6 at the Maritime Museum, Central Pier No. 8.
“Samson Young: Songs for Disaster Relief World Tour” at M+ Pavilion
Installation view of Samson Young’s Songs for Disaster Relief (2017). Courtesy of M+.
Originally conceived for the 2017 Venice Biennale, Samson Young’s Songs for Disaster Relief examines the strange landscape of charity singles—songs that were created to raise funding and awareness for charitable causes and that also topped the charts throughout the 1980s. Young combines sculptures, audio and video installations, and other art objects to investigate the lasting impact of those songs on a global scale.
On view through May 6 at M+, the M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon Cultural District.
“A Beast, a God, and a Line” at Para Site
Malala Andrialavidrazana’s Figures 1817 from the “Figures” series, ongoing.
After its debut at the Dhaka Art Summit, this weighty group exhibition has alit upon Hong Kong in time for Basel. The artists address issues involving the Asia-Pacific region and the many overlapping narratives that concern its inhabitants and effect its global position.
On view through May 20 at Parasite, 22/F, Wing Wah Industrial Building, 677 King’s Road in Quarry Bay.
“Emerald City” at K11 Art Foundation Pop-up Space & chi art space
Zhou Siwei, Images Carrier 02 (2015). Courtesy of the artist and Antenna Space.
K11 Art Foundation presents a group show of more than 40 works that explore the intersection of art and geometry. It includes works by Neo-Geometric Conceptualist (Neo-Geo) artists like Ashley Bickerton and Peter Halley, as well as artists from China’s Rational City movement, and the forerunners of Superflat in Japan.
March 28–May 31, opening reception March 27, 5:30–8:30 p.m. The show is open at two venues, the KAF Pop-up Space: G/F, Cosco Tower; and chi art space: 18 Queen’s Road Central, New World Tower 2.
“Ai Weiwei: Refutation” at Tang Contemporary
Ai Weiwei’s Law of the Journey (Prototype A) (2017). Courtesy of Tang Contemporary.
Ai Weiwei is perhaps the most vocal “artivist” in the global contemporary art scene, and his most recent project is also the most timely. The show’s title refers to a refutation that humans’ will to be free can be overpowered by governing forces.
March 26–April 30 at Tang Contemporary, 10/F, H Queens Road Central.
“Wolfgang Tillmans” at David Zwirner Hong Kong
Wolfgang Tillmans’s hand on ankle (2018). Courtesy of the artist and David Zwirner Gallery.
David Zwirner’s new Hong Kong gallery opens with the first show of photographer Wolfgang Tillmans in Hong Kong. The works on display, many of which have never been shown before, highlight the artist’s interest in “self-contained environments.”
March 26–May 12; David Zwirner Gallery is located at 5-6/F, H Queen Road Central.
“OSGEMEOS: Déjà Vu” at Lehmann Maupin
OSGEMEOS, The layup afternoon train (detail) (2017). Courtesy of the artists.
For their first solo show in Hong Kong, twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo are expanding the world of their signature yellow characters. The show features a sound installation and new paintings that capture the frenetic graffiti style that influenced the brothers in São Paulo and that continues to provide source material for their work.
March 26–May 12, opening reception March 26 6–8 p.m.; 407 Pedder Building.
“Antony Gormley: Rooting the Synapse” at White Cube
Antony Gormley’s Root (2016). Photo: Stephen White. Courtesy of the artist and White Cube, Hong Kong.
In a departure from his more figurative life-sized sculptures, Gormley’s new works appear like thin and attenuated branches growing from a tree trunk. The roots reference the tendrils that branch out from the body’s central nervous system and orchestrate its movements.
March 27–May 19 at 50 Connaught Road Central.
“Mark Bradford” at Hauser & Wirth
Mark Bradford’s How much do your stones weigh lady? (2018). © Mark Bradford. Photo: Joshua White, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth.
Following Mark Bradford’s banner year of public projects and market success, Hauser & Wirth is inaugurating its new space in Hong Kong with a show by the artist. Gallery visitors will be treated to a new series of Bradford’s large-scale mixed-media canvases, addressing the central themes of his practice—communication, urban space, civic planning, and its effect on the community.
March 27–May 12 at 15-16/F, H Queens Road Central.
“Loie Hollowell: Switchback” at Pace Gallery
Loie Hollowell, Linked Lingam (orange, purple, blue); Stacked Lingams (yellow, purple, green, red); Linked Lingam (green, yellow, blue, purple) (2018). All images © Loie Hollowell. Photo: Kerry Ryan McFate, courtesy of Pace Gallery.
Loie Hollowell’s technicolor works make discreet references to the female form, with generous curves and symmetrical configurations, as well as allusions to Georgia O’Keeffe’s blooming flowers and iconography long used in medieval religious works.
March 27–May 31 at 15C Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road Central. Hollowell will also participate in a panel discussion “Structure and Geometry: From Real to Abstract” on March 29 at Art Basel.
“Manolo Millares – Antoni Tàpies: An Informel Step” at de Sarthe Gallery
Manolo Millares’s Cuadro (3) (1960). Courtesy of de Sarthe Gallery.
“An Informel Step” is a joint exhibition featuring the work of two pioneers of post-war abstraction in Europe, Manolo Millares and Antoni Tàpies. Both Spanish born, the artists were also similarly innovative in their use of nontraditional art materials to create complex graphic and textural works.
March 29–May 12 at 20/F, Global Trade Square, No. 21 Wong Chuk Hang Road.
“LOVE Long: Robert Indiana and Asia” at the Asia Society Hong Kong
Chim ↑Pom, LOVE IS OVER (2014).
The Asia Society is showing some love for Robert Indiana’s most famous sculpture with show of work made in response to the Pop art icon by artists including Kutluğ Ataman, Candy Factory, Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries, Chim↑Pom, He An, Hung Keung, Charwei Tsai, and Xu Bing.
Ongoing through July 15, 2018 at 9 Justice Drive Admiralty.
“Jennifer Guidi: Heliocentric” at Gagosian Gallery
Jennifer Guidi’s The Priestess (Green and Light Green MT, Green Sand SF #1T, Green Ground) (2018). © Jennifer Guidi.
Guidi continues her exploration of abstraction and geometry with a new series of work at Gagosian’s Hong Kong outpost. Although they appear simple, on closer inspection the surface of the works reveal a stratified mixture of oil paint and sand, creating a landscape unto themselves.
March 26–May 12 at 7/F Pedder Building.
“Skin on Skin: Dinh Q. Le” at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery
Dinh Q. Lê’s Gay Mixed No. 4 and Straight No. 6 (2018). Courtesy of the artist and 10 Chancery Lane Gallery.
The Vietnamese-American artist Dinh Q. Lê’s new body of work is based on the impact of the internet on the country’s sexual revolution as it has developed since the 1990s.
On view through April 28 at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery is located at G/F, 10 Chancery Lane.