Calling on all art aficionados! This brings in a slew of exciting exhibitions, fairs and happenings you won’t want to miss. From highly anticipated and Asia’s first of its kind, Digital Art Fair to a guided trip down memory lane with the Heritage Fiesta cum Roving Exhibition 2021. Clear up your social calendar and mark these dates down to enjoy a month-filled of refreshingly new and nostalgically delightful art and culture events.
West Kowloon Cultural District Performing Arts Season
Until 31 Mar 2022
Anew season of top-class performing arts is in session, courtesy of the West Kowloon Cultural District. From now until the spring, audiences can enjoy awe-inspiring programmes of Cantonese opera, dance, theatre and music. Look out this month for 100% Hong Kong by Rimini Protokoll – in which 100 local performers take to the stage – and ground-breaking Chinese choreographer Gu Jiani’s Transition. Musicians of different disciplines, meanwhile, sound out at Lau Bak Livehouse every weekend.
Price: Varies
Location: Xiqu Centre / Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more information: westkowloon.hk
Digital Art Fair
3 – 17 Oct
The first-ever physical and virtual art fair in Hong Kong is destined to shake up the city’s art scene and excite a new generation of art collectors. Five art zones constructed within the exhibition venue will play host to 40 international and local artists, as well as those at the forefront of the NFT art movement, while also providing a platform to learn from experts in the fields of art, finance and technology. Connect with more than 200 digital artworks through interactive immersive experiences, virtual museums, blockchain NFTs, augmented reality pieces and a slew of other thrilling events.
Price: HK$205
Location: G/F, Asia Standard Tower, Central
For more information: digitalartfair.io
ReThink 2021
5-6 Oct
Now more than ever, society is prompted to live more sustainably, from embracing eco-friendly products to adopting plant-based diets and zero-waste lifestyles. If you have yet to jump on the green bandwagon, the ReThink conference co-organised by the Business Environment Council returns with more insights (and inspirations) on how to drive sustainable development in Hong Kong and approach the unique challenges facing the city. Global keynote speakers, international case studies, interviews, panels and expert workshops will enlighten over a high-impact, interactive two days.
Price: From HK$550
Location: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
For more information: rethink-event.com
Hiroaki Umeda: Indivisible Substance
6-8 Oct
Explore what it means to engage in art in a post-Covid world. Internationally acclaimed Japanese choreographer and avant-garde artist Hiroaki Umeda presents his latest work in progress. A virtual performance-art piece, Indivisible Substance draws from psychology and technological advancements such as AR and eye-tracking to challenge viewers to decide what is most relevant for their own body’s experience. The artist-audience interaction concludes with a post-performance discussion and Q&A session.
Price: HK$100
Location: Online
For more information: popticket.hk / westkowloon.hk
Circle x Raze – Health-Tech Revolution
6 – 19 Oct
Born out of a common vision of creating a safer future, Circle x Raze presents a #CombatCovid Collection in an exclusive pop-up store for only two weeks in Causeway Bay. The store highlights a combined selection of products that leverage cutting-edge technology to empower people to go about their day-to-day lives.
Price: Free Entry
Location: G/F, Kai Chiu Road, Hysan Place, Causeway Bay
Fine Art Fair
8 – 11 Oct
Fine Art Asia 2021, one of Asia’s leading international art fairs, returns to its usual Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre venue from 8 October to 11 October 2021. In a huge boost for the Hong Kong art scene, a flurry of art fairs have marked the summer despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fine Art Asia 2021 will deliver a vibrant, bubbling fair with a focus on homegrown talent. Several renowned names will be vying for your attention — prominent among them is Tanya Baxter Contemporary (booth A8) — based in both London and Hong Kong, the leading art consultancy and gallery comes with decades of artistic experience working in the Post-Modern, Modern British and Contemporary art markets and is celebrated for supporting emerging as well as mid-career artists.
Price: HK$120 via HK Ticketing
Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
For more information: fineartasia.com
Outdoor Theatre, Robotics Workshop and more…
Until 31 Oct
The newly revitalised Central Market creates a ‘Playground for all’, hosting a series of screenings in its open courtyard, Oasis, as well as a slew of STEAM workshops for the kids, and more. From three thought-provoking features such as The Art of Forgery, a biopic of notorious German art forger Wolfgang Beltracchi, to robotics-building workshops, there’s really plenty to see and do at this newly opened venue.
Price: Free entry
Location: Central Market
For more information: centralmarket.hk
Heritage Fiesta cum Roving Exhibition 2021
Until 31 Oct
Take a stroll down memory lane and through the many historic landmarks of Hong Kong. The Heritage Fiesta covers 11 revitalised government-owned Grade I to III listed buildings, each of which will provide guided tours to visitors interested in rediscovering the city’s past architectural glories. From the Tai O Heritage Hotel and PMQ to Stone Houses, Haw Par Mansion and the former Fanling Magistracy, hours of fascinating exploring await history buffs. Exhibitions staged at the venues will run until the end of the year.
Price: Free entry
Location: Varies
For more information: heritage.gov.hk
Hong Kong Tramways World Record Celebration
Until 4 Nov
Art, leisure and shopping come together in one venue to honour Hong Kong Tramways’ Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest double-decker tram fleet in service’. Stationed at the Leica shop in Causeway Bay, the RecordDing Our Moments exhibcaptures the joy of riding on the beloved ‘Ding Ding’ through 15 works by local photographers. Join in to celebrate this iconic emblem of Hong Kong and its place in the city’s history. Arrival by tram is recommended…
Price: Free entry
Location: Leica Store, 12 Pak Sha Rd, Causeway Bay
For more information: leegardens.com.hk
Encounters Across Culture
Until 14 Nov
Through The House Collective, formed by a group of art- and design-conscious hotels located across China, comes Encounters Across Culture. Voyaging across four cities including Hong Kong, this biennial series showcases the diverse facets of each through an interactive performance of dance and design. Currently, The Upper House in Hong Kong and Chengdu’s The Temple House combine to give the stage to ballerina Hennes Yuen and hip-hop dancer Wan Siming from their respective cities.
Price: Free entry
Location: The Upper House
For more information: thehousecollective.com
When Form Matters
Until 10 Apr 2022
The pioneer of the New Ink Art Movement in Hong Kong, Lui Shou-kwan, comes under the spotlight in an exhibition tracking his artistic journey to Zen painting. The Hong Kong Museum of Art displays 41 paintings from its archives and 11 works loaned from the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Works by Lui’s peers and students are also presented in this long-running showcase, which pays tribute to the father of modern ink art in Hong Kong and his contribution to art education.
Price: Free entry
Location: Hong Kong Museum of Art
For more information: hk.art.museum