In 2023, the art world was gradually returning to pre-pandemic normalcy and in 2024, Art Basel Hong Kong also saw a return to its pre-pandemic glory. This year, competition is expected to be fiercer than ever. Several new art fairs have emerged in Asia within the past few years: Frieze Seoul launched in 2022, followed by ART SG in Singapore, and finally the long-awaited debut of ART021 in Hong Kong last year. This remarkable resurgence in Asia stands in stark contrast to the more established art markets of Europe and the U.S. 

As the elder statesman of Hong Kong’s art fairs, Art Basel is not resting on its laurels. In an interview with director Angelle Siyang-Le, she said, “2023 was a year of re-opening, and the mission for 2024 was to reconnect…We can look forward to 2025 as a year of repositioning, with a greater focus on promoting the developments of the entire art ecosystem.” 

“Art Basel has always prioritised the long-term development of the local art community, and we’re continuing to foster partnerships with local institutions,” Siyang-Le explained. “For instance, the 2025 show’s Film program will be curated by Para Site for the first time. This has taken a long time to plan, but we believe that collaborating with young curators can inject more energy into the fair.”

Founded in 1996, Para Site is Hong Kong’s first artist-established art institution and a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to supporting emerging artists and curators. Titled “In Space, It’s Always Night”, the Film program curated by Para Site is one of several public projects Art Basel Hong Kong is launching this year. Focusing on the relatively young and diverse field of video art within the contemporary art landscape, it features free film screenings from filmmakers across Asia and beyond, offering a global perspective that transcends geographical boundaries. Para Site is also collaborating with Nowness Asia and Videotage for the project.

Experimental Innovation

 

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Art Basel Hong Kong is continuously increasing the proportion of local galleries participating in the fair. In 2024, there were a total of 26 and the number is expanding to 32 this year, with several emerging galleries participating for the very first time, such as Property Holdings Development Group (PHD Group) founded in 2021. Along with Alex Chan of THE SHOPHOUSE, PHD Group founders Willem Molesworth and Ysabelle Cheung launched an alternative art fair called “Supper Club” with the hopes of redefining the relationship between art sales and social experiences in a consumer-driven culture. 

“We really admire these young galleries,” said Siyang-Le. “Beyond representing artists and holding exhibitions, they have greater ambitions to transform Hong Kong into a more experimental art scene. So their participation is quite exciting.”

During the fair, PHD Group will present an interactive installation by Michelle Chu that explores the themes of cooking and mourning. The installation takes after the domestic space of a kitchen, featuring an artist-made table serving as a central gathering point for Chu and the audience.