A pandemic isn't going to stop the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) from organising and hosting the ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign to bring the art scene to the world. Thanks to the depth of its imagination and creativity, Hong Kong’s dynamic arts community has nimbly pivoted to offer hybrid physical and virtual events for people around the world. Throughout the month of May and July, several events and exhibitions will be held around the city such as the international Art Basel and French May.
Actively contributing to Hong Kong’s art revival, the HKTB created a dedicated campaign website, which is a one-stop platform providing essential information about ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ and introducing online showcases, art itineraries, an event calendar, artsy offers, interviews with art insiders, and more.
1. Art Basel*
Held from 21 to 23 May at the HKCEC, the world’s leading art fair is a hybrid of the physical and virtual, featuring 104 influential galleries from 23 countries and territories. New this year, ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’ will broadcast the fair to a global audience. www.artbasel.com/hong-kong
2. Art Central*
For the first time, satellite fair Art Central (20–23 May) will take place alongside Art Basel at the HKCEC. Works can be bought in person or online, and a talk programme organised by the Asia Society Hong Kong Center will be broadcast online.
3. West Kowloon Cultural District*
Now nearing completion, the WKCD’s M+ museum has been offering documentary screenings on demand under a two-part programme, titled Cinema, Disrupted. Films and talks for Part Two: Interrupted Legacies will be available from 6 to 16 May.
4. French May & French GourMay
The annual French May (1 May–30 June) is a multicultural feast of more than 100 mostly in-person events, spanning art, design, opera, classical, pop concerts, dance, movies and more.
French GourMay (1–31 May) is an invitation to (re)discover French gastronomic heritage. www.frenchgourmay.com/
5. Hong Kong Museum of Art
The HKMoA’s initiative ‘Art For Everyone’ (until 23 May) features 100 artwork images from the museum’s collection, displayed across Hong Kong, complemented by augmented reality experiences.
It will also run a major Surrealist exhibition, featuring 100 artworks from Paris’ Centre Pompidou, from 21 May until September. https://hk.art.museum/
6. Tai Kwun
The former Central Police Station, now a heritage and art centre, will host live drama and dance performances by local artists during its performing arts season under the theme ‘SPOTLIGHT’ (until 16 May).
7. Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival 2021*
This community arts festival is an opportunity to get a glimpse into this unique village with its Roman Catholic and Hakka background.
The third edition (until 16 July) features 31 art pieces, including 14 new works, available on-site and online.
8. HKwalls
Hong Kong’s annual street art and mural festival (8–16 May) returns with the takeover of wall space in the seaside district of Sai Kung, while an exhibition themed ‘Tools of the Trade’ on the history of street art will run until 6 June at Soho House.
9.Hong Kong Arts Festival*
The annual festival’s PLUS programme is embracing the digital format this year to connect with audiences both on and offstage. Available through June 2021 will be a hybrid line-up of online and in-venue programmes, in addition to an interactive online exhibition, and series of online documentaries and cinema screenings.
10. ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign*
The HKTB brings art to an international audience with its dedicated ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign website, a one-stop platform featuring online showcases, art itineraries, an event calendar, artsy offers, interviews with art insiders, and more.
*Virtual experiences available
While we wait for international travel to resume, the wealth of virtual experiences on offer once again highlights Hong Kong’s diverse wealth of cultural treasures and underscores the city’s ability to remain agile in the face of unprecedented disruption.