A groundbreaking contemporary art exhibition, "What's It Worth?" is set to captivate Hong Kong audiences from September 5 to 28 at Cattle Depot Artist Village, Unit 8, located at 63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon. At the opening ceremony today, Thomas Lam Tat-man, Henderson Land sales department general manager highlighted the group's commitment to integrating art into property development.
The exhibition’s opening ceremony, held on September 6 at 4pm, marked the launch of this experimental showcase, inviting the public to engage in a unique dialogue about the value of art.
Running daily from 11am to 6pm with free admission, the exhibition features nearly 100 works by 20 local artists from diverse creative backgrounds, including ink painting, oil painting, sculpture, ceramics, and photography.
These pieces explore a wide range of artistic mediums and visual expressions, offering a rich tapestry of contemporary creativity.
Compared Henderson's projects with art works, Lam pointed to recent projects like Highwood next to the Cattle Depot, Baker Circle in Hung Hom, and The Henley in Kai Tak for incorporating artistic architectural and interior elements.
“Our design and marketing teams work like artists—building not just structures, but community landmarks," Lam said, adding the sales centre at Mira Place recorded about 1,500 visitors and 500 registrations today.
What sets this exhibition apart is its unconventional approach to pricing: instead of fixed price tags, visitors are encouraged to act as collectors and assign their own valuations to the artworks based on personal interpretations and emotional responses.
This innovative format aims to challenge traditional market-driven pricing models, prompting both artists and audiences to rethink how art’s value is determined.
Organized by the Art Hong Kong Institute, the exhibition draws inspiration from a previous experimental project, initiated years ago by the Artist Commune.
As the starting point for the "Artwork Co-Collection Movement," it seeks to foster an open and participatory platform where visitors are not just passive observers but active contributors to the cultural conversation.
Artists may respond to audience valuations, creating a dynamic exchange that positions art as a medium for social interaction and collective value negotiation.
The exhibition raises thought-provoking questions about who holds the authority to define art’s worth and whether viewers can transition from spectators to co-creators in the cultural production process.
The opening ceremony was graced by prominent figures, including the chairperson of Cultural Power, a director from InspirNation, and senior representatives from Henderson Land Development and Sun Hung Kai Properties, highlighting the event’s significance within Hong Kong’s cultural and business communities.
The diverse roster of participating artists includes talents each contributing to the exhibition’s vibrant exploration of artistic expression and societal dialogue.
