Floating Island

Hong Kong, 7 March 2007

This is Hong Kong ArtWalk 2007.

The Hong Kong ArtWalk recently wrapped up its seventh successful year. ArtWalk in Hong Kong is an annual event organized by the the Hong Kong Commercial Art Galleries Association (HKCAGA) and it’s billed as the city’s largest art charity event. The regular admission price is not cheap (over HKD400), but it is for charity, and students tickets are heavily discounted.

This year, 50 galleries around Hong Kong island stayed open late into the evening to host the crowds of art-walkers. Food is provided by a number of sponsoring restaurants and the wine flows freely until midnight. Some galleries got so full that crowd control measures had to be implemented.

Most of the galleries feature a profusion of works by both established and up and coming mainland artists, whose work tends to prominently feature communist iconography, such as the red Mao-suited fellows above.

But some people have had enough with these images. My friend was horrified by those depressing pandas seen in the background above, and I overheard another gallery-goer say, “enough with all this Mao ****” .

Beijing, 10 March 2007

Photo courtesy of Elyse Ribbons. Copyright 2007 © Elyse Ribbons.

Just a few days later, Beijing hosted its inaugural ArtWALK in the Dashanzi/798 art district. The area is so large that it has its own map, and it would take much more than an evening to see all the galleries and studios there.

Unlike Hong Kong’s ArtWalk, which is a fundraising event, the Beijing ArtWALK is aimed at encouraging arts appreciation among the public, so it is free and open to all. The plan is to make it a monthly event that will rotate among the various art districts of the city.

I wasn’t there to check it out, but I saw some posters advertising the event when I visited last week, so I followed up with some online research when I got back to HK.

Photo courtesy of Elyse Ribbons. Copyright 2007 © Elyse Ribbons.

It looks like a somewhat artsier, less professional crowd than at HK’s ArtWalk (note blue hair in foreground), but that’s to be expected with free food, wine and entertainment.

The event seems to be organized by a group of resident art lovers, rather than by a formal organization, so the crowd probably reflects this fact as well.

Photo courtesy of Elyse Ribbons. Copyright 2007 © Elyse Ribbons.

It appears that the Beijing ArtWALK also tries to educate its attendees with lectures and discussions. A place to sit is also a welcome relief after hours of gallery-hopping.