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An artwork entitled rem(a)inder by Michelangelo Psitoletto is on display at Art Basel in Hong Kong on May 14.The fair involves more than 240 galleries from 39 countries and territories showcasing paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and videos. [Photo from China Daily /Philippe Lopez / Agence France-Presse]
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Billionaires beckon for $10,000 passports and works by emerging painters at Art Basel Hong Kong. Frederik Balfour reports.
Preview of Art Basel show held in HK
'Doisneau's Renault' photo exhibition kicks off in Beijing
Inside Art Basel Hong Kong at the city's convention center there's a booth where guests can apply for instant citizenship to the Republic of Jing Bang.
For $10,000 you can obtain a passport, an aluminum "Citizenship Box" briefcase and national flag from Jing Bang, an ephemeral state created for the fair by Chinese artist Sun Xun, whose installation is a satirical comment on art, commerce and nationhood.
The art world elite, including billionaire Indonesian collector Budi Tek, New World Group scion Adrian Cheng and Canyon Capital Advisors co-chairman Mitchell Julis, won't need any fictional travel documents to converge on Hong Kong, where more than $1 billion worth of art is for sale, according to fair insurer AXA ART.
Wealthy collectors can snap up a $10,000 painting by emerging Chinese artist Yuan Yuan or pay $75,500 for a fish in formaldehyde work by Damien Hirst.
Anchoring what is informally known as Hong Kong art week, Art Basel opened to the public on Thursday. VIPs got a chance to preview the 245 galleries from 39 countries exhibiting on Wednesday, featuring primarily contemporary art. Preview of Art Basel show held in HK
'Doisneau's Renault' photo exhibition kicks off in Beijing
Every year at this time Hong Kong's social life goes into overdrive with a whirlwind of more than 25 gallery openings, charity art auctions, debates and champagne-fueled parties held on warehouse rooftops, at poolsides and parking garages.
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