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West Kowloon Cultural District CEO Michael Lynch (left) helps officiate the launch of the WKCDA
office with Henry Tang, WKCDA Board Chairman (photo: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority)
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Following government recognition of the creative industries, the sector is maturing, opening up more opportunities in related enterprises. For an international business engaged in the arts, Hong Kong’s location is “hugely in its favour,” said Michael Lynch, CEO of Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD).
“The international nature of Hong Kong works incredibly strongly for it,” Mr Lynch said. “The attention of the world is on this city, which puts businesses at a significant advantage. Hong Kong has an interesting mix of finance, lifestyle and cultural sides, and it’s the multi-complexion nature of the city that offers great opportunities for reinforcing the message of Hong Kong as the place to be.”
Art and Culture Hub
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| The waterfront park at West Kowloon Cultural District, the largest cultural inititiative in the world today |
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Mr Lynch moved to Hong Kong from Australia earlier this year to head up the West Kowloon Cultural District project. The 40-hectare site along the Victoria harbourfront is considered to be the world’s largest cultural initiative. The 17-venue arts and cultural hub is to be commissioned in phases from 2015.
International firms already engaged in WKCD projects include the United Kingdom’s Foster + Partners, selected to design the master plan following an international competition. From 109 firms from around the world originally considered, 12 were invited to compete, and three finally shortlisted.
The district’s key component, a 23-hectare city park, will be a major cultural centre for music and the performing and visual arts, incorporating public areas and spaces for living, working, galleries, and studios.
Lord Foster, Chairman and founder of Foster + Partners, said his firm’s carbon-neutral master plan “captures the unique character that makes Hong Kong such a great city.” He views the project as “an extraordinary opportunity,” unprecedented in its scale, scope and vision.
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Lord Norman Foster, Chairman and founder of Foster + Partners |
“City Park will be the catalyst to transform the city locally and regionally, as well as on the world stage,” Lord Foster said. “Our design is rooted in Hong Kong’s urban DNA, the distinctive character that makes it such a dynamic city. There really is no other project like it.”
Foster + Partners has had a presence in Hong Kong for more than 30 years, since it was first engaged by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation to design its headquarters.
Galleries of the World
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Installations from the Zeng Fanzhi exhibition at Gagosian Gallery
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Since then, many other creative enterprises have identified Hong Kong’s potential. In addition to film, television, music, design, architecture, advertising and digital-entertainment companies, some of the world’s leading lights in fine arts are establishing a presence in the city.
Among the more recent arrivals is Gagosian Gallery, one of the world’s leading galleries of modern and contemporary art, which opened its Asian flagship operation in Hong Kong in January. The Hong Kong gallery complements Gagosian’s other spaces, in New York, Los Angeles, London, Rome, Athens, Paris and Geneva.
Gagosian Gallery represents many of the world’s most important contemporary artists, including Damien Hirst. It also represents estates of such artists as Andy Warhol, and is active in the secondary market for such artists as Pablo Picasso.
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Nick Simunovic, Managing Director, Gagosian Gallery Hong Kong
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Edouard Malingue,
founder, Edouard
Malingue Gallery |
Managing Director Nick Simunovic said Hong Kong was chosen as the gallery’s first Asian outlet as it is the gateway to the region. Hong Kong has the added bonus of being the world’s largest art market after New York and London, Mr Simunovic noted.
“There is no question that interest in Western modern and contemporary art in Asia is both serious and substantial at all levels of the market, from new entrants to experienced collectors. Hong Kong provides us with an ideal platform from which to reach private, corporate and institutional collectors across the region.”
He added that the primary role of the Hong Kong gallery is to bring to Asia the artists and estates Gagosian works with in the United States and Europe. “From Hong Kong, we will give shape and direction to our efforts across the continent. Our aim is to present a rich and diverse programme of museum-quality exhibitions for the enjoyment of both collectors and the general public.”
Pivotal Art Centre
The Edouard Malingue Gallery from Paris, noting Hong Kong’s growing reputation as a prime arts hub, opened a space in the city just over a year ago. "Hong Kong is, undoubtedly, the pivotal art hub in Asia," said founder Edouard Malingue. "Its status as a gateway to mainland China offers us access to the fast-growing appetite for Impressionist and modern art on the mainland. We see many business opportunities here in the long run."
Top-shelf British gallery White Cube will open in Hong Kong next year – its first Asian expansion – following a number of significant sales to investors around the region. Tim Marlow, White Cube’s Director of Exhibitions, said the gallery chose Hong Kong due to its role as a regional hub and its proximity to the Chinese mainland.
Fairs and Festivals
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Art HK, the region's biggest international art fair, draws hundreds of the leading galleries to Hong Kong
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For galleries and artists seeking to explore the Greater China market, Hong Kong offers at least two important events. The Hong Kong International Art Fair drew 260 of the world’s leading galleries this year, and an attendance of 63,000, up 38 per cent over 2010.
And the Hong Kong Arts Festival is Hong Kong’s premier performing arts event. For its upcoming, 40th anniversary edition (28 January-8 March 2012), nearly 170 performances will be presented at 17 different venues, featuring 38 ensembles or solo artists from overseas and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s support structure for the creative industries includes Create Hong Kong, a government office established in 2009. Its role is to nurture creative talent, help start-ups, promote creative opportunities on the mainland and the wider region, and position Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital.
Related Links
Create Hong Kong
Edouard Malingue Gallery
Foster + Partners
Gagosian Gallery
Hong Kong International Art Fair
Hong Kong Arts Festival
West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD)
