Art Basel spotlight on vibrant HK culture

Kelly Kong

Hong Kong's culture will be highlighted at the four annual Art Basel shows in Paris, Miami Beach, Basel and the SAR as the Hong Kong Tourism Board signed up to become a show partner of the international art fair for the next three years.

Yesterday, the tourism board and Art Basel announced a new three-year partnership, expanding the connection beyond the SAR to include all Art Basel shows globally. As the first tourism organization to have sealed a deal of this kind, the board and Art Basel will launch their collaborative project in October.

The board's executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat and Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz formally signed the new strategic agreement on Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Art Basel will host the board over the next three years in all of its four yearly exhibits to create an immersive experience for each one and showcase the city's vibrant culture.

This year's Art Basel Paris, which will take place in the Grand Palais from October 18 to 20, will be the first international initiative together between the board and Art Basel under their new agreement.

Cheng said: "The collaboration with Art Basel underscores HKTB's continuous efforts in promoting Hong Kong on the global stage. By sharing the city's unique character through immersive experiences on the world's most prestigious art platform, we hope to inspire travelers to visit our city and discover its thriving creative community and rich cultural experiences."

Horowitz said: "We are thrilled to build on our long-standing collaboration with HKTB and launch this ambitious initiative. By shining a global spotlight on Hong Kong's vibrant art scene, this partnership will enhance the experience for our fair visitors while unlocking new opportunities and fostering deeper connections between Hong Kong and art communities around the world."

Art Basel Hong Kong debuted in 2013, with the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as its home. Since 2020, the fair and the board have collaborated on numerous projects.

The board presented a "Cha Chaan Teng" cafe experience at the last Art Basel Hong Kong from March 28 to 30, highlighting the city's dynamic culture.

Visitors savored regional specialties, including the popular pineapple buns and milk tea, while getting a firsthand look at Hong Kong's unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures through the works of local non-profit organizations.