Hong Kong venues get in the mood for art fairs

A series of art installations have popped up across Hong Kong as the city gets ready to host Art Basel and the smaller Art Central starting this Wednesday. Swire Properties, a partner of Art Basel, has put up several installations across its properties featuring, among many others, a spiral floor installation by contemporary visual artist Jim Lambie at upmarket lifestyle mall Pacific Place.

The real estate developer will also be hosting a VIP lounge designed by Paul Cocksedge at the Art Basel. The Murray Hong Kong, the official hotel partner of Art Basel, has also featured artwork such as an enamel sculpture by Jaume Plensa and a chandelier-like charcoal work by Bahk Seon-ghi at its property.

Another partner hotel, The Peninsula Hong Kong, will be featuring a floating art installation by Janet Echelman, as well as artwork by Timothy Paul Myers at its lobby. The hotel is also offering a private guided art tour for guests.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has anointed March as Hong Kong Art Month in conjunction with the art fairs as well as the other satellite shows and street art festivals taking place throughout the month. The Kaws: Holiday moving art installation—a 37-metres long rubber duck—is currently docking on the Victoria Harbour, a short distance away from the waterfront Art Central fair.