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Held annually in March, Hong Kong Art Week draws art enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world. This vibrant event transforms the region into a dynamic platform for the promotion and celebration of various art forms. It encompasses art fairs, exhibitions, gallery showcases, public installations, discussions, and cultural activities. 

 

Anna Somova, co-founder of Saturn Six Gallery, visited Hong Kong during Art Week and shared her insights from the trip. 

One of the highlights of Hong Kong Art Week is Art Basel. This year, more than 240 galleries took part. What are your impressions of this art fair?

 

Art Basel in Hong Kong provides a perfect platform  to connect with colleagues, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts from other countries. It is definitely a very valuable experience that helps broaden one's horizons and knowledge of the contemporary art market.

 

 

Whom did you get to know with at Art Basel?

 

I had an opportunity to talk with the staff members and sales managers of some Chinese galleries, such as Tang Gallery, which represents the most important Asian artists. Additionally, I communicated with representatives of European mega-galleries, like Perrotin and Gagosyan.

By the way, it was interesting to talk to Korean gallerists. I highly recommend to everyone the Busan Art Fair in May! I’ve never been there, but it’s definitely one of my goals to visit and to participate as a gallery.

 

This is a very good tip from your new acquaintances in Korea. Art Busan is definitely active in developing South Korea as a new destination for the art community. What else have you acquired from your interactions with other individuals?

 

Currently, my main interest is engaging with colleagues from China and Asia, as I believe this market holds potential for Saturn Six Gallery. Sharing their professional experiences, they disclosed to me how the local market and collaborations with foundations and museums function.

 

Art Week is not only significant for Art Basel. Each corner of Hong Kong celebrates various art programs, transforming the whole city into a vibrant canvas. What were other key activities, places or events you planned during the trip?

 

I visited numerous galleries, vernissage, and art shows. Among them were M+ museum, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, and K11 Art events. Moreover, leading auction houses like Philips, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s organized activities that I was able to attend.

 

What was the most remarkable event for you?

 

It was 'Art in Resonance', an experimental exhibition designed by The Peninsula Hotel to introduce significant emerging and mid-career artists. New public artworks by Kingsley Ng, Lachlan Turczan, Elise Morin, and Saya Woolfalk were presented within the walls of the hotel, interacting with its space and visitors. This is an incredible example of how art can be part of our daily life and make it more meaningful and engaging. 

 

People also get a chance to encounter major names of the art field. Did you engage in any significant meetings or collaborations in Hong Kong?

 

I took part in 'Collecting Art Today', the collaborative program of Sotheby's and Larry's List. Larry’s List is a platform that provides valuable resources, insights and analyses about the global art market. It particularly focuses on the community of collectors, offering an extensive database of their collections, related news and industry expertise.

Christoph Noe, co-owner of Larry’s list, introduced us to individuals who elucidate collector motivations, art promotion strategies, and the roles of collectors and private museums. Among my new acquaintances were Allan Warburg, owner of Donum Estate (California, U.S.) and Justine Alexandria Tek, the CEO of Yuz Museum (Shanghai, China).

Particularly valuable to me was meeting Desiree Feuerle, who founded the non-profit organization in a former bunker (Berlin, Germany). 'The Feuerle Collection' features early Imperial Chinese stone and lacquer furniture and Chinese scholar furniture from the Han Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty, from 200 BC to the 17thC. It also includes early Khmer sculptures from the 7th to the 13thC, and international contemporary art.

Through its global perspective and growing market, Hong Kong is actively seeking to consolidate its position as the cultural hub of Asia. No doubt, the city is largely determining future trends with Art Week. But have you experienced any disappointments regarding Hong Kong as an art center?

Hong Kong is a good marketplace, but there is not enough context. After I spoke to local art dealers, I realized that the agony caused by Art week lasts only 7 days per year. Unfortunately, throughout the entire year, there is a lack of some refreshing projects and diverse contexts of what art can be.

Which insights and experiences did you get out of your trip?

The Art Week in Hong Kong showed all the trends of the current year. But I was interested to learn more about the Chinese market. Let's not forget that it is the second largest market after the United States. I think Saturn Six Gallery has the potential to introduce new ideas and art projects on the basis of Hong Kong.

In my view, the organizers of Hong Kong Art Week are to be commended for their services: The city was vibrating with art and fascinated even those who may not typically engage with it.

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