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The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Henry Tang, hosted a reception at Victoria House this evening (May 24) for arts and cultural professionals taking part in the Hong Kong International Art Fair (ART HK).
The reception was attended by over 100 artists, gallerists and collectors from around the world and Hong Kong, sharing their insight and discussing the latest developments in contemporary visual arts culture.
Mr Tang said that ART HK has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008. "It has established itself as a leading art show in Asia over a span of several years and become one of the most anticipated events on the international art calendar," he said.
"The announcement of the world renowned organiser of Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach taking a majority ownership stake in the owners of ART HK demonstrated the success of ART HK and would put Hong Kong firmly on the international art map," Mr Tang added.
He mentioned that Hong Kong was one of the new driving hubs of the global art market and said the Government had adopted various initiatives to ready Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries for take-off.
Mr Tang shared with those who attended the reception his vision for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) and the progress of work on the project. He said he was looking forward to seeing WKCD become a grand stage to showcase the inclusive and multifaceted nature of Hong Kong, both as a hub that nurtures interaction among leading international and local artists, and as a catalyst for the development of local creative industries.
"WKCD will not only be a cultural landmark in the heart of Hong Kong, a destination on its own, but a magnet to artists and audiences from around the world that will propel Hong Kong into becoming a major cultural capital in Asia," Mr Tang said.
ART HK will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 26 to 29. More information on ART HK is available at its website: www.hongkongartfair.com.
Ends/Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:42
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