Inaugural Art Central brings a brand new dimension to Hong Kong Art Week 2015

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Art Central adds to the dynamism of Hong Kong’s Art Week through partnerships with critically-acclaimed restaurant, The Continental; crystal house, Swarovski; online art resource, Artsy; and leading

Art Central adds to the dynamism of Hong Kong’s Art Week through partnerships with critically-acclaimed restaurant, The Continental; crystal house, Swarovski; online art resource, Artsy; and leading educational organization, Asia Society Hong Kong Center; alongside a strong gallery lineup.

“Staged in an architect designed 10,000 sqm temporary structure on the Central Harbourfront from 14-16 March 2015 (VIP Preview 13 March), Art Central’s sophisticated yet edgy feel will attract collectors, buyers, curators and artists alongside the art-loving general public. The fair enriches the art conversation and reinforces Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s art hub, lifting Hong Kong Art Week to an international standard rivalling the world’s best,” says Tim Etchells, Co-Founder of Art Central. Art Central is timed to complement Hong Kong Art Week, positioning the city firmly as one of the world’s leading art hubs.

Adding flavor to Art Week, Art Central partners with Swire Hotel’s newest restaurant and bar The Continental to bring to life what is set to be the best fair restaurant and bar experience of Art Week. With award-winning British Chef and Financial Times Weekend Magazine food writer Rowley Leigh at the helm, the menus draw inspiration from the grand cafes of Europe and feature the best ingredients from sustainable sources serving dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner each day.

“The Continental and Swire Hotels restaurant division are proud to be an inaugural sponsor of Art Central. We look forward to presenting a fresh and exciting menu to visitors, comprising loved classics served through morning, noon & night alongside a full bar. After all buying art can be a thirsty business,” said Brian Williams, Managing Director of Swire Hotels.

In partnership with crystal house Swarovski, Art Central will reveal an installation designed by Joyce Wang entitled ‘Oculus’. The luminous piece incorporates Swarovski crystals in a striking one-of-a-kind objet d’art, emitting an unexpected kaleidoscope of light. Coined as the “rising Hong Kong star” by the South China Morning Post, Joyce Wang is an award-winning interior designer with a wealth of noteworthy experience under her belt including the design of Ammo in The Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Isono and Vasco in PMQ, Mott 32, and the Private Penthouse in Shanghai.

Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented, “we are delighted to partner Art Central for its inaugural show and to present ‘Oculus’ by Joyce Wang, a young designer who is making a real impact through her mastery of light and space. Art Central is a welcome addition to the city’s amazingly vibrant art scene, providing a platform for some of the most exciting new and established talents from Asia Pacific and beyond, and cementing Hong Kong Art Week’s reputation as a key destination on the international art calendar.”

The opportunity to preview Art Central will be available online exclusively at Artsy.net from Tuesday 10 March 2015. Artsy’s dedicated Art Central microsite and app will feature works available for sale at the fair, as well as fair highlights picked by art world insiders and a complete schedule of onsite talks and events.

The Asia Society Hong Kong Center will enrich the Art Central experience with a series of talks and panel discussions staged daily. The cultural program will provide a means for visitors to directly engage with some of the leading artistic trends and curatorial practices of contemporary art in Asia and beyond, and will feature a panel discussion on contemporary ink art moderated by curator and contemporary ink art specialist Tiffany Beres.

Carefully selected by the high profile art committee, over 75 galleries represent exhibitors from 21 countries. With over 60% from Asia Pacific and 17 galleries from Hong Kong, Art Central is truly a home grown fair with international relevance.

Art Central showcases the next generation of talent alongside established contemporary galleries. The fair has allocated a section to solo and dual exhibitions by galleries established in the last five years entitled ‘Rise’, showing younger artists and artists from emerging markets.

The art committee includes Ethan Cohen of Ethan Cohen Fine Arts, New York; Conny Dietzschold of Conny Dietzschold Gallery, Sydney and Cologne; Angela Li of Contemporary by Angela Li, Hong Kong; and Christa Schübbe of Schübbe Inc., Düssledorf.

Stiff & Trevillion, award winning London architect firm and former architects of ART HK, have been appointed fair architects.

“Art Central’s curatorial programme spans traditional art forms, including contemporary ink, new media and large-scale, site-specific installations. The fair is a place of discovery for new buyers and seasoned collectors alike, and provides a refreshing alternative for viewing and buying art during Hong Kong Art Week,” says Fair Co-Director Eve Share Banghart, who brings impressive global art fair experience to the outstanding team.

Art Central is brought to Hong Kong by the team behind the phenomenally successful ART HK, which went on to become today’s Art Basel. Co-Founders Tim Etchells and Sandy Angus will be overseeing Art Central, delivering a wealth of experience with a series of art fairs in various destinations across the world. The pair have once again joined forces to launch Art Central in Hong Kong where it all began, enriching Hong Kong Art Week along the way.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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