Art Central’s ‘First Night’ is one of the hottest tickets in town

In just one week, the second edition of Art Central will be unveiled during Hong Kong Art Week. Adding a fresh new dimension, Art Central kicks off with ‘First Night’ which gives collectors and art enthusiasts a first glimpse of the fair.

Art Central returns to the Central Harbourfront from 23-26 March (First Night 21 March, VIP Preview 22 March), showcasing over 100 galleries from 21 countries with 75% hailing from greater Asia. A fair with a distinctly Asian edge, the gallery list is complemented by an ambitious program that includes large-scale installations, engaging panel discussions and performance art, along with some of Hong Kong’s hottest eateries. A site of discovery for both art lovers and seasoned collectors alike, Art Central 2016 is set to raise the bar with Hong Kong’s most dynamic art fair experience.

Maree Di Pasquale, Fair Director, says “The inaugural Art Central cemented itself as a highlight of the annual art calendar, exceeding expectations on all fronts. Embraced both locally and internationally, Art Central has helped to further establish Hong Kong as a global arts destination, with an Art Week that rivals the likes of London, Paris and Miami.”

“Art Central 2016 will present a strong selection of museum quality works alongside some of the most exciting emerging artists from the region and around the world. With increased representation from Asia and an expanded public program that promises to engage and entertain, Art Central has everyone from the art-loving public to the seasoned collector in mind”.

Art Central’s ‘First Night’ will offer a first glimpse of the fair from 5pm – 9pm on Monday 21 March, and will mark the first time the fair opens to the public at night. Tickets (available via artcentralhongkong.com) give visitors a chance to celebrate the launch of the fair’s second edition with an evening of art and performance set against the magnificent backdrop of the iconic Victoria Harbour.

Also new for 2016 are three curated projects, MEDIA X MUMM in partnership with G.H Mumm Champagne,ROUNDTABLE X 4A (curated by 4A Centre for Contemporary Art, Sydney) and SCREEN X EXPERIMENTA(curated by Gina Wong Director of Experimenta, Hong Kong). Projects present new media, digital, and live art (MEDIA X MUMM); an engaging discussion, interactive roundtable and performance series (ROUNDTABLE X 4A); and a curated platform for emerging experimental and narrative motion picture filmmakers (SCREEN X EXPERIMENTIA).

“Along with a strong line up of galleries that includes many new leading international names, Art Central also plays host to some of Art Week’s best restaurants and bars as it highlights the social element of Art Week” said Maree.

The fair’s second edition showcases Hong Kong’s hottest new eatery Belon, the neo-Parisian bistro helmed by the rising culinary star, James Henry. Also new to the fair is the MEDIA X MUMM CHAMPAGNE BAR by official Champagne partner, G.H.Mumm, and an expanded Street Food area which includes the 2016 Absolut Art Bar (The Absolut Ashram of Guru Jimmy).

Tickets to Art Central are available for sale online via HK Ticketing with two for one on advanced tickets available for a limited time only.

Art Central Management Team:
Fair Director Maree Di Pasquale was Co-Fair Director of the inaugural Art Central. Previously Maree worked as Assistant Director of the Melbourne Art Fair and the first edition of Sydney Contemporary. She has also worked with TDIC on Abu Dhabi Art and the Saadiyat Island Cultural District museums project.

Board of Directors:
Tim Etchells, Sandy Angus, Will Ramsay and Charles Ross together founded the inaugural Art Central. The same team together founded ART HK in 2008, which quickly became a major fixture of the international artworld, prior to Art Basel acquiring the Fair in 2011.

Tim Etchells went on subsequently to found Art13 London and Sydney Contemporary in 2013. He has also managed and operated Melbourne Art Fair since 2014.

Sandy Angus is a Director of India Art Fair and co-founded Istanbul’s newest art fair, ArtInternational in 2013. He co–founded Art13 London and in 2014 founded Photo Shanghai, the first international art fair dedicated to photography in Asia-Pacific.

Will Ramsay is the founder of the PULSE Art Fairs which are staged annually in New York and Miami.  He is a Director of India Art Fair and also founder of the Affordable Art Fairs, which are staged in a variety of cities across the world.
Art Central Managing Director, Charles Ross was also Managing Director of ART HK since the fair’s inception in 2007. He played a pivotal role in ART HK’s collaboration with Art Basel, and has been Managing Director of Art16 London since its inception.

First Night
Monday 21 March                          5.00pm – 9:00pm

VIP Preview
Tuesday 22 March                          10:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 23 March                    11:00am – 12:00pm
Thursday 24 March                        11:00am – 12:00pm

Public Opening Hours
Wednesday 23 March                    12:00pm – 7:00pm
Thursday 24 March                        12:00pm – 7:00pm
Friday 25 March                              11:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday 26 March                         11:00am – 6:00pm

Follow Art Central
http://www.artcentralhongkong.com
Facebook:  /artcentralhk
Instagram: /artcentralhk
Twitter: /artcentralhk

Online Preview
The opportunity to preview works at the fair will be available online exclusively at Artsy.net from Wednesday 16 March 2016. Artsy’s dedicated Art Central microsite and app will feature works available for sale at the fair, as well as fair highlights picked by art world insiders and a complete schedule of onsite talks and events.