Hong Kong has the once in a generation opportunity to assert itself as the creative and cultural hub of Asia, and to rival the established centres of New York and London. In providing an angle unique to the city, Hong Kong could play a pivotal role in redefining the concept of a 'global' art world. But, is it ready to take on the challenge? Magnus Renfrew, art expert and one of the driving forces behind the city's ascent in the art world, outlines the recent past and paints the future of Hong Kong's creative scene, all while reflecting on his own experiences and the new buzz around Hong Kong's endless possibilities.
Billed to analyze the present and forecast the future of HK's artscene, this book actually focuses on these following points instead, repeating till the end of it: "All my (white) friends are doing important work aka the new mega-museum M+, for your city, so give them more money now" "Keep the jobs of my (white) friends and don't you dare to let your (non -white) people in charge" "Everything is going downhill in your city but hey, let's believe in the future (for absolutely no reason)"
Seriously? I know how important M+ can be but it's almost surreal to see how every chapter can be fit in another "more money for M+ NOW" appeal (and it was already an extremely well funded project )lol You would expect some insights from someone who established the most important art fair of Asia in HK, right? Instead, what we get boil down to "I worked hard, my gal worked hard and everyone loved us. Thanks!"...Oh, and the bibliography section is just website links with a couple exhibition catalogues???
Definitely a strange read to have right before the opening of M+.