ART021 HONG KONG announces captivating programmes with engaging VIDEOS, special exhibitions and events at EXPANSION, and free public arts exhibition SCULPTURE
The Fair’s programming celebrates remarkable video art, large-scale public sculptures, and projects with unique concepts and strong cultural representation. Book tickets for ART021 HONG KONG here: https://cultural.cityline.com/tc/2024/art021hk.html
ART021 HONG KONG CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR (ART021 HONG KONG), the distinguished art fair in the region, is set to captivate art enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs from August 28th to September 8th with the Fair’s extensive programming that promises to inspire, engage, and invigorate. From immersive sculptures to thought-provoking curatorial projects that integrate digital elements with reality, ART021 HONG KONG’s vision is to bring a new model of art fair to the city by celebrating creativity and innovation.
Spanning five sections at distinctive cultural locations across the city: GALLERIES, located at Phillips Asia Headquarters in the WKCDA Tower, presents 40 galleries that highlight works by established and emerging artists from across the globe, with venue support from WestK; as well as VIDEOS, EXPANSION, SCULPTURE, and the GBA ART WEEK where 42 galleries will present vibrant works from the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
Public artworks announced for SCULPTURE section
The SCULPTURE section, a public art group exhibition, will showcase captivating sculptures on the
Central Lawn of Victoria Park, and on the rooftop of the Fringe Club. Ten sculptures by seven local and international artists will be presented from five distinctive galleries. SCULPTURE will be free of charge and open to the public from August 28th until September 8th.
- Asia Art Center will showcase the Zen-inspired sculpture by artist Li Chen, which combines the abstract and figurative, inviting its viewers into a spiritual realm.
- Mennour will present the work of acclaimed French artist Camille Henrot, whose practice involves the exploration of dynamic tension between the individual and their environment.
- Mao Space will present four bronze sculptures by American artist Joy Brown. The gallery will also unveil intriguing sculptures by Chinese artists Lu Pingyuan and Shang Liang, reinterpreting the possibilities of the human form and everyday objects.
- Robert Indiana’s iconic sculpture, ‘LOVE (Red Outside Violet Inside),’ will be presented by Pace Gallery. The artist uses bold colours and language-based conceptualism as key elements in his creations. In this iconic piece completed at the end of the 20th century, the artist highlights the intrinsic power of love transcending cultural and social boundaries, aiming to convey universal human emotions and spirit.
- ‘Cheese’, a fascinating sculpture by Korean artist Gwon Osang, will be installed on the rooftop of the Fringe Club, encapsulating the story of its rich history as the Old Dairy Farm Building and the essence of this culturally iconic destination.
EXPANSION is set to invigorate with dynamic programming
Co-organised with the Fringe Club, EXPANSION aims to reform the ways of approaching arts. A vibrant section comprising special exhibitions and projects, as well as live performances by experimental musicians. EXPANSION will metamorphose the Fringe Club into a dynamic art hub, energising it as a central gathering point for art lovers seeking inspiration and connection during the Fair.
- ‘Art Dialogues Between China, Mexico and the Global South’ (1952-1973), curated by Zheng Shengtian, will revisit the dynamics between China and the Global South countries from half a century ago. By showcasing the rare archives, including exhibition catalogues, photographs and videos, the exhibition will offer a unique chance for viewers to unravel the history of cultural exchange between China, Mexico and the Global South.
- Rén Space presents artist Li Binyuan’s project ‘The Long Farewell’, featuring his latest sculptures and interactive video installations. The artist’s practice intervenes in different layers of daily human conditions and existence.
- Hong Kong gallery PHD Group will bring Zheng Mahler’s trilogy of installation works. The Hong Kong-based artist duo, Royce Ng and anthropologist Daisy Bisenieks, engage with topics like trade and colonial history, and geopolitics.
- Xiaohongshu, the Exclusive Social Media Partner of ART021 HONG KONG, will be curating a special project Xiaohongshu Inspiring Moments Exhibition: Eureka! at the Jockey Club Studio Theatre of the Fringe Club, showcasing a diverse array of short films by emerging and mid-career filmmakers and artists from the Inspiring Moments Awards. This event is open to the public and free of charge.
VIDEOS: A Cinematic Odyssey
VIDEOS will be hosted at Miller Theater, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, with a rich tapestry of screenings. Highlighting the works of 13 artists and directors from Asia and beyond, the four-day programme will present three screenings per day, with each 11:30am screening session free for students.
Within the contemporary landscape, VIDEOS section explores diasporic experiences, identities, and historical legacies through the lens of moving images. It showcases works by internationally acclaimed artists, including Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Anri Sala, Chen Chieh-jen, Yang Fudong and more. Audiences can experience works from an impressive line-up of female artists, including Cao Fei, Chen Qiulin, Chen Xiaoyi, Kimsooja and Rachel Rose. The VIDEOS section will also feature the documentary film ‘Anselm’, directed by Wim Wenders, offering an intimate portrayal of the artistry of German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer, presented by White Cube.
Digital Ambassador Michael Lau debuts AR mobile application, ‘WAN-er’
In a pioneering collaboration, ART021 HONG KONG commissions the acclaimed Hong Kong artist Michael Lau as the Fair’s Digital Ambassador, to unveil a playful Augmented Reality (AR) work ‘WANer’ for the Fair. This showcase will make its debut across the Fair’s GALLERIES, EXPANSION, and SCULPTURE sections, offering a unique experience that invites art enthusiasts and the public to engage with art in an unprecedented manner.
Michael Lau says, “Derived from the word ‘Play’ in Chinese, given my interest in the pictogram nature of Chinese characters, ‘WAN-er’ conveys a rich and multi-layered meaning. It encompasses the acts of learning, research, and a process of engagement and understanding. ‘WAN-er’ also symbolises playfulness, appreciation, and toys, embodying a spirit of curiosity that continuously enriches our lives. Therefore, ‘WAN-er’ is not merely a character name, but a sincere invitation for all visitors to come and immerse themselves in the joyful moments.”
Known as the “Godfather of designer toys”, Lau’s unique artistic expression garnered global attention and brought him the opportunity to showcase his work around the world. Continuously pushing the boundaries of format and medium, Lau is recognised as the pioneer who spearheaded a global trend in the 1990s. ‘WAN-er’ will be a standout feature of ART021 HONG KONG, promising an unforgettable exploration of the convergence of art and technology. The ‘WAN-er’ App can be downloaded and activated on-site during ART021 HONG KONG.
The AR realisation is supported by artist Chen Baoyang, who works at the intersection of art and technology.
ART021 HONG KONG is financially supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events (Mega ACE) Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The Mega ACE Fund aims to attract and support international and large-scale arts and cultural events to take place in Hong Kong. It targets mega arts and cultural events in Hong Kong organised by the private sector or non-governmental organisations, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an arts and cultural metropolis, providing opportunities for the arts and cultural sector to flourish, as well as fostering Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
For more information, please visit www.art021.org
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