Exclusive Interview With Basel Art Exhibition Asia Director Huang Yajun: Focus On More In-Depth Presentation

Asia director Huang Yajun. Data map

Our reporter Dong Mingjie reports from Shanghai

Huang Yajun, Asia director of the Basel art exhibition, interviewed the twenty-first Century economic report reporter at the press conference, and gave some opinions on some key topics of the Basel exhibition of Hongkong art exhibition.

Twenty-first Century: this year, we are all concerned about the situation in Hongkong. Some exhibitions are cancelled or considered for easy location. Why does the Basel exhibition persist in Hongkong? How do we get rid of the concerns of exhibitors?

Huang Yajun: Hongkong is considered an open enough City, a place where people from all over the world will come. Exhibitors have exhibited in Hongkong since 2013, and they already have a sense of artistic home. They have grown up with the exhibition all these years, and have seen more and more museums opening. They believe that the artistic atmosphere in this area is becoming more and more mature, and it is an ideal choice for art centers.

Twenty-first Century: consideration of the cost and income of exhibitors may block the pace of some exhibitors. From the perspective of exhibition, what practical measures can be taken to make them less burdened?

Huang Yajun: in fact, we have adopted the adjustable pricing system for the first time this year at the Basel exhibition and the Miami Beach exhibition. This system will also be adopted at the Hongkong exhibition in 2020 to support the gallery with a smaller scale.

Twenty-first Century: Basel art exhibition, Basel art exhibition Hongkong and Basel art exhibition Miami three exhibitions have been held for several years. What are the characteristics and advantages of the later Hongkong exhibition? What can European and American markets provide experience and reference for Asia?

Huang Yajun: there are so many different styles of works in the Hongkong exhibition. This half Asian and half western mixed style is nowhere else to be seen. Different artists, different styles, different histories and cultures have made this exhibition more diverse. In fact, the three exhibitions are the same big family, and the local exhibitions in Basel for 50 years will provide mature reference for the exhibition concept.

Twenty-first Century: what is the biggest highlight of Basel Hongkong this season? What is the difference between the past and the past?

Huang Yajun: next year's Basel art exhibition 50th anniversary, this is a key point. To mark the Basel art exhibition, 50th anniversary, 2020, the Basel art exhibition will have a special art project, which will be presented gradually in three exhibitions. First, it will start at the Hongkong exhibition in March, and will continue until the Basel exhibition in June. Finally, it will end at the Miami Beach Exhibition in December 2020. This international project will gather curators across different ages and different cultural backgrounds and artistic perspectives. The Hongkong part is curated by Christina Li, the curator of the fifty-eighth Hongkong Biennale of 2019, in Hongkong.

Twenty-first Century: can you give some popularity or personal recommendation to the exhibitors and artists?

Huang Yajun: this season's exhibition does not emphasize anything new, but it's exciting enough. "Asian perspective" and "art exploration" have not focused on the new presentation, but they are more in-depth. There are more historical materials and expectations for art history. Of course, there are more young artists to look forward to, including the series of Japanese photographic works in the "Asian perspective", the works of Chai Tian min Hsiung; the dialogue between Shi Hui and WAN man's works is a tribute to the artistic tradition; and Chen Litong's works in "art exploration".