Hong Kong’s largest art exhibition to focus on NFT

Art Basel has the participation of 130 artists from 28 different countries 

Art Basel, one of China ‘s biggest and most respected art events, will make a shift to include digital artworks and non-fungible-tokens (NFT), among the pieces that will be exhibited during this edition.

The 2022 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong features an additional fourth gallery, and the number of exhibitors this year will be 130 artists and will feature a large international participation that includes 28 countries.

According to the South China Morning Post, the new focus responds to the growing interest in art NFTs over the past two years. In a 2021 report by UBS found that art-related NFT sales increased 100 times in value between 2019 and 2021, and 88 percent of high-net-worth respondents were interested in adding NFT-based artworks to their collections. Also, in the 2022 report «The Art Market» produced by Art Basel and UBS, the market has a global turnover of US$65.1 billion in 2021.

Adeline Ooi, director for Asia, Art Basel talked about changes introduced to this edition “We are taking the learning from last year to further refine and enhance the digital fair experience and create a more seamless integration between the physical and the virtual,”. This includes an expansion of its virtual tours, with nine walk-throughs available to both the general public and VIP clientele.

“The Show Experience Assistant service, which debuted last year and offers patrons unable to attend the fair in person a customized virtual experience of the show floor, has also been further extended and galleries can now also designate patrons of choice,” added Ooi.

Participating exhibitors are organized into three main sections: Galleries, Discoveries (a selection of newly commissioned works by solo artists), and Insights, championing the diverse talent in contemporary art across the Asia-Pacific region.

Day tickets cost $65 per person, and $45 for students. On the other hand, permanent tickets which grant access for all four days, are available for $145. Both public and private tours will be offered in three languages: English, German, and French.

About Art Basel

Art Basel was founded in 1970 by Basel gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt to rival its neighbouring Art Cologne. The idea was to lure a new wave of collectors and enthusiasts in the postwar consumer society, rich in time, money and new means of global communication

Art Basel has spent the last 50 years redefining what an art fair means, and what an art fair can be. Whether it’s the launch of its Art Unlimited platform (which offered life beyond the booth), or anchoring itself as a global art mega-fair with annual Art Basel Miami Beach, Basel and Hong Kong events.

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