<research> Hong Kong and Singapore (2)
Until now, many Japanese newspapers and companies asked me about Singapore. Hong Kong is my favorite city but it is very complex. Let’s think about many problems of contemporary art through HK and SG!
I often hear that Hong Kong art is hot. What does that mean?
Pedder Building's signage (photographed in 2017, different from 2023)
Large world-famous art fairs like Art Basel are being held in Hong Kong. In the last five years, galleries in Hong Kong have been damaged, but there are still a lot of them in 2023. The art fairs and galleries' exhibitions are excited, however, they deal with very few Hong Konger artists.
Art Basel Hong Kong press conference, 2017
I started covering the art market around 2007. I remember when I wrote an article about Art Basel Hong Kong for Japanese (people, in Japanese language) in 2014. Then the staff at Art Basel Hong Kong said to me, "You are the only Japanese!" However, as the attention gained year by year, the press conference became full, and the Japanese press release began to appear.
What is the meaning of Hong Kong's hot art?
Why do many people go to the art fair? Where are art works of Hong Kong people? Is art temporary events for foreigners or local consumption for local people? Are art works that sell well good ones? Are the immigrants from mainland China also Hong Kongers, who are Hong Kongers? Can't the comfort women statue be sold at a high price? Why isn't the Art Fair Tokyo hot? Does art mean many people like it?
Singapore too, please see <research> HK and SG (1). Someday I want to write and edit both art histories.