Asia Art Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 7 Week of 24 March 2025
Exploring art, technology and impermanence at Phillips during Hong Kong Art Week 2025.
(2) Hong Kong ASMR show triggers ‘weird sensation’ of internet trend with things you can touch
Since autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) took the internet by storm during the pandemic it has been a private, virtual experience. Weird Sensation Feels Good changes that.
(3) Energy returns to a changed Art Basel Hong Kong
While there were fewer US collectors, and Chinese spending remains lower, the increased Southeast Asian presence and an “exponential growth” of Gen Z buyers is notable at this year’s edition of the fair.
(4) Amid a Shaky Economy in China, Hong Kong Hopes Renewed Art Ecosystem Stays Strong
Hong Kong’s art market shows cautious optimism amid economic uncertainty, with moderate growth, a selective approach from collectors.
(1) AHOFA Gallery and PhillipsX Presents SPACES II: Capturing the Ephemera at Phillips’ Asia Headquarters in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District
(Photo Credit: Maja Petrić, Specimens of Time, Hoh Rain Forest)
During Hong Kong Art Week 2025, Phillips, in collaboration with HOFA Gallery, will present “SPACES II: Capturing the Ephemera,” which explores the intersection of art, technology, and impermanence.
Running from 28 March to 15 April 2025 at Phillips’ Asia headquarters in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, the exhibition examines how technology can capture and transform fleeting moments into enduring artistic expressions. It will showcase a diverse range of works, including immersive installations, generative digital art, algorithmic designs, and contemporary mixed-media pieces.
Miety Heiden, Deputy Chairwoman and Head of Private Sales at Phillips, expressed excitement about bringing “SPACES II” to Hong Kong, highlighting the commitment to showcasing artists at the forefront of digital and generative art. This exhibition aims to explore how technology transforms transient moments into lasting expressions, providing a platform for innovative works during Hong Kong Art Week 2025.
News Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/24/tmt-newswire/media-outreach-newswire/hofa-gallery-and-phillipsx-presents-spaces-ii-capturing-the-ephemera-at-phillips-asia-headquarters-in-hong-kongs-west-kowloon-cultural-district/2078397
(2) Hong Kong ASMR show triggers ‘weird sensation’ of internet trend with things you can touch
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
The immersive exhibition “Weird Sensation Feels Good: The World of ASMR” has arrived in Hong Kong, marking its first stop outside Europe after previously being showcased in Stockholm and London. The term autonomous sensory meridian response, ASMR for short, describes a tingling yet calming sensation triggered by audio-visual stimuli. This exhibition features over 40 works, including audio, videos, and mixed media installations, with new pieces commissioned from local Hong Kong sound artists. It aims to explore the evolving relationship between ASMR and technology, highlighting the transition of ASMR from a niche internet phenomenon to a mainstream cultural experience.
Located at the Gate33 Gallery in the Airside shopping centre, the exhibition includes an ASMR arena designed for relaxation and interaction with the artworks. The layout features a giant pillow resembling a human brain, creating a calming environment where visitors can engage with ASMR experiences. Lead curator James Taylor-Foster emphasises the importance of tactility and sound in recreating the sensations associated with ASMR, allowing visitors to explore the art form in a communal setting.
The exhibition invites visitors to create their own ASMR works, fostering personal exploration of the soothing sounds and images that resonate with them. By bringing the ASMR phenomenon into a public space, the exhibition seeks to create shared experiences together in the bustling environment of Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3303313/hong-kong-asmr-show-triggers-weird-sensation-internet-trend-things-you-can-touch
(3) Energy returns to a changed Art Basel Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: Art Basel)
By the closing of Art Basel Hong Kong’s (ABHK) VIP preview on 26 March 2025, cautious optimism emerged among dealers, buoyed by a notable influx of new collectors from East and Southeast Asia. Despite the positive atmosphere, the impacts of the pandemic era were evident, with mainland Chinese spending not yet recovering to the levels seen during the 2010s boom, and reports indicating a decrease in Mandarin being spoken at stands.
The fair showcased significant sales in the first two days, with high-value artworks changing hands. However, the absence of several US exhibitors and fewer American collectors reflected a shift in the fair’s dynamics, with a growing presence from Southeast Asia, Japan, and Taiwan, even as these regions have yet to establish a critical mass in the market.
The fair illustrated a shift in the Hong Kong art scene, with new collectors and changing dynamics reshaping the landscape. The emergence of Southeast Asian buyers and a more restrained approach to spending highlighted a transitional period for the art market in the region, reflecting the changing landscape of art engagement in Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/03/27/from-bourgeois-to-borremans-energy-returns-to-a-changed-art-basel-hong-kong
(4) Amid a Shaky Economy in China, Hong Kong Hopes Renewed Art Ecosystem Stays Strong
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Concerns about China’s economic situation, especially in the property market, have led to a cautious sentiment among collectors, who are increasingly selective and focusing on blue-chip artworks with proven resale value.
Despite these challenges, Hong Kong has consolidated its position as a major art hub, with significant institutions like the M+ museum and Tai Kwun Contemporary arts complex enhancing the cultural landscape. The recent collaboration between M+ and New York’s Museum of Modern Art highlights the city’s commitment to ambitious exhibitions and international engagement.
While cautiousness remains, the overall activity in the art ecosystem continues with an increasing number of events and exhibitions throughout the year across Asia. This landscape indicates an adaptive art market in Hong Kong, responding to ongoing economic shifts and the changing tastes of collectors.
News Source: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/art-basel-hong-kong-market-preview-china-1234736246/
