【2017 Art Basel HK-2】Art Central + “M+”+ Lumenvisum

2017香港巴塞爾藝術展周邊——Art Central, M+及Lumenvisum

(Carmel Ilan's work)

1.      Art Central

Satellite art fairs have become the norm and Art central in its pretty tents opens up a few days earlier than Art Basel HK and provides complimentary shuttles to Art Basel and free admission for Art Basel VIP holders. First perception of the fair is an array of colors, decorative and very figurative works on exhibit. As many would believe it is a different tier art fair compared to Basel I feel it is always interesting to discover emerging artists and new works. Just to name a few: Loke Hong Seng, Zhang Liaoyuang, Carmel Ilan and Lim Chang-min. Also, Zhang Kechun known for his series Yellow River, sold really well at the fair for the booth was constantly renewing the space with new works from the artist. 

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(Left: Zhang Liaoyuang's work/ Middle: Zhang Kechun's work/ Right: Loke Hong Seng's work)

2. M+

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Newly opened is part of the West Kowloon Cultural District which the majority is still under construction currently is exhibiting Ambiguously Yours- Gender in Hong Kong popular culture. The district may appear a little shocking for one finds themselves in the middle of a construction site but M+ itself is definitely more than ready. With free admission and a great exhibition space its current exhibition takes Asians down a great era of Hong Kong pop culture in the 1980s. “曖昧” in Mandarin Chinese suits the exhibition precisely. Ranging from films, costumes, photographs and magazine covers an array of pieces are exhibited to portray gender roles in Hong Kong society. The way gender is viewed in Asian societies is quite different (if comparing to the west) due to the progression of history and the influences of cultural norms. Understanding its values through the entertainment industry is an intriguing take and it shares a view from the mass perspective.

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3.      Lumenvisum

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It is a small space hidden in Hong Kong but definitely worth a visit. A nonprofit organization that seeks to strengthen the understanding of photography in Hong Kong. This space divides into two parts one for exhibition and the other acts as a library for photobooks available for anyone who decides to drop by. They also regularly hold classes and events surrounding the medium. The current exhibition is The Presence of Absence a solo exhibition by Sharon Lee. Her interests is looking into how materials and texture effect the works and photography’s form in various degrees of presentation. 

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