The Works：Social Fabric: Mariana Hahn & Kwan Sheung-chi, Art Basil, 2 street artists: Vhils & M. Cha

The popularity of the Hong Kong Film Award-winning film “Ten Years”, not only reflects widespread concerns about the SAR’s future, but also reflects the extent to which Hongkongers are examining their own sense of identity. At the Mill 6 Pop-up Space in Central until 21st of the month, one visiting artist from Germany and one home-grown artist each reflect on aspects of Hong Kong’s sense of self in their own ways.
This year’s Art Basel Hong Kong closed on a high note. A record-breaking 70,000 people visited the fair compared to 60,000 last year. It was also the first time in the fair’s four-year history that tickets sold out a day before the official closing. At the other end of the exhibition scale, away from the jam-packed Convention and Exhibition Centre, one group of local illustrators organised a somewhat more intimate affair, “Art Basil” at PMQ, which they proudly proclaimed the smallest art fair in the world.
New York, London, Bristol, Paris, Berlin, Hong Kong. The process of gentrification of poor areas follows a remarkably similar path in most parts of the world. First, attracted by low rents, artists and students move in. More middle-class shops and establishments that cater to them follow. Soon rents start to go up. And the “pioneers” who moved first into the areas start lamenting how the later arrivals are spoiling the neighbourhood. That process seems to be reflected in a recent controversy over an annual street art festival in Sham Shui Po, similar to many such festivals in many such neighbourhoods around the world, that was accused by some local commentators of being a top down initiative by outsiders. The organisers defended themselves and said they had previously consulted many local shopkeepers and residents. Certainly though, there is a case to be made that corporate interests are co-opting street art. As we speak, the war of words continues. One side argues that decorating the streets encourages greedy landlords. The other side argues that doing so brightens the environment of people who would otherwise be faced with interminable drabness. In the meantime, some of the best known of the world’s street artists, like Portugal’s Vhils and France’s Monsieur Chat – recently working in Hong Kong -continue to inject some colour, social commentary, and even wit, into our world.