Artsy Fartsy

Though the art scene isn't huge in Hong Kong, it seems that  these days there’s an active group of artists who’ve been organizing events that are catalyzing the underground hotbed where ideas begin.

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[endif]Recently, I moved into a new flat and I was looking for some art for the walls. I have a lot of friends who are artists and graphic designers so I thought- why not hang my friends’ artworks on the wall? It’s more personal and infinitely more meaningful. Luckily, Nike just had an art auction for charity down at their 26 degrees gallery on U Lam Terrace in Sheung Wan. Local artists and graphic designers created small 6x6 artworks (about as big as a medium sized tile) which were silently auctioned at prices that started at 200 HKD. The theme was hope and the proceeds went to a charity which helps children through the act of play.

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[endif]I had gone earlier to the gallery to scope out the pieces which I wanted to bid on. I wanted to get several different ones and hang them in a row or in a square shape. When I came back to the gallery at 8pm, the small reception was in full swing. There was wine and cheese and people walking around talking about which pieces they were bidding on and why. It was really exciting. You had to write down your bid on a piece of paper and someone would post the high bid on a sticker next to the artwork. The price of some of the pieces I bid on went through the roof but I won everything I really wanted. I bought at least 3 works which were made my personal friends of mine. It was really cute how excited people were when they won their selected item and it was interesting to see how varied people’s tastes were.

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A few days later, yet another art happening was staged in the industrial area of Chai Wan. Though somewhat remote, this area is one of the only places in Hong Kong that has large loft-like spaces hence there’s a growing art community there. On March 20 th the artspace dubbed “The Embassy” had a glorious opening complete with and exhibition of photographs, paintings, sculptures and installation artworks from well established artists as well as up and coming artists.

The coolest feature of The Embassy is the massive outdoor terrace. It was set up with a bar and several seating areas with vintage furniture and DIY artworks which doubled as tables and TV consoles. Some of the couches were painted with graffiti as were most of the walls. It didn’t feel like we were in Hong Kong. It felt more like an event that would be taking place in London or New York. In any case, the night was fresh, the vodka was strong and the art and design community was out en force to support the underground event.

One of the guests bought his pet- a baby albino python. It was so soft and so smooth and the second I saw it I wanted to put it around my neck. The snake was freaking alot of people out but it was very well-behaved and didn't try to choke or attack anyone. It was so funny because I had an eel-skin bag and the snake was slithering towards it like it recognized a sibling.

Anyway, after the crowd polished off several boxes of Pravda Vodka, the snake was more well-behaved than everyone else! I was laughing so hard at my friend's laugh (she snorts when she laughs and it's no joke!) I felt like I had done tons of sit-ups.