Organised in response to these unprecedented times, UNSCHEDULED comes together as a showcase of Hong Kong galleries, organised by Hong Kong Art Gallery Association (HKAGA) and taking place from 17 to 27 June 2020 at Tai Kwun as the venue partner.
In light of the cancellation of the March art week, Art Basel Hong Kong, and Art Central, UNSCHEDULED strives to re-energise Hong Kong’s art scene. Neither a traditional art fair, nor a museum exhibition, UNSCHEDULED is a platform for selling and networking that will present solo exhibitions from HKAGA gallery members, with a focus on modern and contemporary art that has a connection to Asia. Upholding Hong Kong’s unique place as the art centre in Asia, UNSCHEDULED’s scope is rooted in a commitment to creativity emerging from the continent.
The exhibition will take place in the heritage-listed Duplex Studio in the Police Headquarters Block at Tai Kwun. A rigid, but free-flowing floorplan will be adopted in place of traditional art fair booth to create a decentralised and inclusive framework for the showcase.
The participating galleries are selected by an independent selection team comprised of established and internationally respected Hong Kong-based curators and artists, including Ying Kwok and Sara Wong. The organising committee is spearheaded by Willem Molesworth (de Sarthe) and Fabio Rossi (Rossi & Rossi) as HKAGA board members.
A proportion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to local charity partner Hands On Hong Kong to support the relief efforts of those most affected by the impact of COVID-19.
To address pressing health and safety concerns, measures like timed ticketing will be taken to avoid overcrowding and unnecessary risk.
Curatorial Statement | Ying Kwok and Sara Wong
The art fair comprises solely of solo presentations with a focus on artistic practices as the centre of the showcase. The framework of the exhibition is built on three groups of solo presentations that are categorised depending on how the artists position themselves with their subject matter, audience and adjacent surroundings. so as to create a dialogue between the works as the visitor navigates through the fair. While allowing focus to be put to the individual body of works presented by each artist, the curation also looks into creating a dialogue between the works as the visitor navigates the exhibition.
The first group of artists intentionally create a distance to avoid or disrupt the direct encounter with the subject matter. This is seen in the works of Etsu Egami from Whitestone Gallery, Kitty Chou from Ben Brown Fine Arts, Mak Ying Tung 2 from de Sarthe and Liu Bolin from Over The Influence.
While the second group of artists have a deliberate engagement with their subject matter through their artistic practices, this is captured in the works of Frog King Kwok from 10 Chancery Lane, Ng Chung from Contemporary by Angela Li, Huang Dan from Galerie Ora-Ora, Irene Chou from Hanart TZ Gallery and Aruta Soup from L+ / Lucie Chang Fine Arts.
Finally, the third group of artists are more detached from their motifs with a sense of calmness and minimalism, which is experienced in the works of Duan Yifan from Leo Gallery, Chou Yu-Cheng from Edouard Malingue Gallery and Heman Chong from Rossi & Rossi.
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Exhibition Period: Wednesday 17 June – Saturday 27 June, 2020
Press Preview: Wednesday 17 June, 2020; 11am – 2pm
Preview Day: Wednesday 17 June, 2020; 2pm – 10pm
Public Days: Thursday 18 June – Friday 26 June, 2020; 12pm – 7pm
Closing Day: Saturday 27 June, 2020; 12 pm – 6 pm
Venue: Duplex Studio, LG1/F & LG2/F, Block 01, Tai Kwun (see location HERE)
Participating Galleries and Artists
10 Chancery Lane Gallery | Ben Brown Fine Arts | Contemporary by Angela Li |
de Sarthe | Edouard Malingue Gallery | Hanart TZ Gallery |
Galerie Ora-Ora | Leo Gallery | L+ / Lucie Chang Fine Arts |
Over the Influence | Rossi & Rossi | Whitestone Gallery |
By Ying Kwok and Sara Wong
UNSCHEDULED is an unconventional art fair initiated by Hong Kong Art Gallery Association, in response to the unprecedented cancellations of various art programmes locally and internationally due to Covid-19. The art fair was developed amidst heavy lockdown measures. In order to minimize the risk of outbreak within the community, members of the public are advised to drastically reduce social activities in order to protect themselves and others; while maintaining a social distance of at least 1 meter from others, and in groups of no more than 4 persons. Within a very short period of time, a new paradigm of social distancing was established across the community. While it can be easily understood in the numerical sense, there remain lots to explore in the conceptual aspect. We are particularly interested in “the notion of distance” and “the state of being apart” from the artists’ perspective.
The art fair comprises solely of solo presentations with a focus on artistic practices as the centre of the showcase. The framework of the exhibition is built on three groups of solo presentations that are categorised depending on how the artists position themselves with their subject matter, audience and adjacent surroundings. so as to create a dialogue between the works as the visitor navigates through the fair. While allowing focus to be put to the individual body of works presented by each artist, the curation also looks into creating a dialogue between the works as the visitor navigates the exhibition.
The first group of artists intentionally create a distance to avoid or disrupt the direct encounter with the subject matter. This is seen in the works of Etsu Ogami from Whitestone Gallery, Kitty Chou from Ben Brown Fine Arts, Mak Ying Tung 2 from de Sarthe and Liu Bolin from Over The Influence.
While the second group of artists have a deliberate engagement with their subject matter through their artistic practices, this is captured in the works of Frog King Kwok from 10 Chancery Lane, Ng Chung from Contemporary by Angela Li, Huang Dan from Galerie Ora-Ora, Irene Chou from Hanart TZ Gallery and Aruta Soup from L+ / Lucie Chang Fine Arts.
Finally, the third group of artists are more detached from their motifs with a sense of calmness and minimalism, which is experienced in the works of Duan Yifan from Leo Gallery, Chou Yu-Cheng from Edouard Malingue Gallery and Heman Chong from Rossi & Rossi.
While curating to a confined space, the floor plan designs to take this as an opportunity to the formation of no aisles setting and the gallery booths bleed into one another. Instead of taking a reserved approach, the art fair hopes to promote a forward-looking and risk taking approach while making a clear and positive statement against the current grim situation.
![](https://www.hk-aga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Floorplan.jpeg)
Ticketing
In support of reading culture in Hong Kong in collaboration with HKAGA, TASCHEN is pleased to offer 10% discount for UNSCHEDULED’s visitors upon purchase at Store Hong Kong located at Tai Kwun throughout the fair period.
Present your UNSCHEDULED ticket at the Armoury Bar next to the Parade Ground to enjoy a range of discounted drinks! Selected drinks, including Aperol Spritz, Peroni and Pilsner Urquell, will be offered at HK$50. Please refrain from gathering in groups larger than 8 due to the government’s guidelines. You would need to present your UNSCHEDULED VIP card, entry sticker or ticket confirmation for identification.
Ticketholders of UNSCHEDULED will also receive a complimentary glass of champagne per person when they have dinner at Aaharn, which is situated right above Armoury. One ticket per table is required to qualify for the offer. Offer only valid for reservations, and is redeemable until the end of June. Bookings must be made in advance and the maximum table size is 6.
Special Terms:
Due to the current situation and in response to the government’s guidelines, we will kindly ask you to wait at the entrance if the venue reaches maximum capacity. Thank you.
(i) late-comers will not be admitted until a suitable break in the Function;
(ii) this ticket only admits one and is not transferrable;
(iiI) any photography, transmission, filming, telecasting, broadcasting and sound and video recordings are prohibited inside the Event Space;
(iv) eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited in the Event Space;
(v) no child under ten (10) years of age will be admitted into the Event Space at any time for any Function unless accompanied by an adult; and
(vi) all ticket holders are required to comply with any other rules and regulations from time to time imposes by JCCPS and/or the Manager in relation to the Event or the Function and/or the use of the Event Space.