Hong Kong, 4 September 2012
Calvin Hui is the Founder and Artistic Director of 3812 Contemporary Art Projects Company. A true Contemporary art lover, he is known for promoting the development of Asian Contemporary art. His gallery, located in one of the largest art spaces in Hong Kong, regularly hosts exhibitions attracting an important audience. He was delighted to join Fine Art Asia and become its partner and director in 2011. On the occasion of the fair organised by Fine Art Asia in October, Mr. Calvin Hui agreed to answer our questions.
Art Media Agency (AMA): In October, Fine Art Asia is going to present a unique combination of Art and Antiques from both East and West, for its 8th edition. Why did you decide to participate in this fair?
Calvin Hui (CH): I have been an enthusiast collector since the beginning, so being an actor of this fair went without saying. In term of business, Asia offers a lot of potential. The art market in China is booming and Hong Kong is the main the centre of this market. I have also a deep relationship with Andy Hei, the founder of Fine Art Asia, that’s why I’ve decided to participate in the fair.
AMA: Can you also us about the infancy of this fair?
CH: At first, in 2006, Fine Art Asia was only an Antiques fair; it was much smaller than the actual fair, with only thirty exhibitors. After two years, in 2008, we have had the opportunity to establish the fair in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, which is obviously a much larger place, enabling us to ask for more dealers. With more dealers, we can diversify our range of artworks. The fair was no longer offering just Antique items, but also Modern and Contemporary pieces of art. We managed to collect nearly three hundred different works. So since 2009, Fine Art Asia has become a unique affair which we have to promote.
AMA: I have seen that Andy Hei, the founder of Fine Art Asia, is specialised in Classical Chinese furniture, whereas you are apparently a passionate of Contemporary Art. How did it influence your work on the preparation of this fair?
CH: The truth is that between Andy Hei and I, it has been a perfect match. We get along very well. We have decided to combine our respective expertise in order to turn the fair into a unique event, a perfect combination of past and present, of East and West. Our combined knowledge enables us to offer a unique kind of event for people. We both understand the importance of artistic value, the meaning of work, the beauty behind a vintage or a new item. This is how the fair has come to be.
I also to convey an important message through this fair. Indeed, in Hong Kong, more and more people take an interested in art and not only in Ancient Chinese Art. We can make people discover new artworks or forms of art. It is also a way to make member of the young generation open their eyes. They will have access to a wide collection of different artworks, enabling them to discover and build their taste in art.
AMA: Over 90 leading selected dealers from Asia, Europe, and the United-States are coming to Fine Art Asia. How did you carry out the selection?
The fair is organised in different categories: Modern Art, Antiques, jewellery, Impressionist paintings… At first, we invite some dealers to whom we submit the idea, the project we wish to accomplish. Then, an online application form enables dealers from all around the world to apply to the fair. An advisory board or a jury selected for the occasion analyses every application and chooses the most suited applicants, those who fulfil the required conditions. Indeed, what they offer must be suitable for the market. Because we are from Hong Kong and China, we are familiar with the market’s demands. We can give dealers really good advices which can help them.
AMA: Does a dealer who is not allowed to attend the fair can hope to attend the next fair or another one?
CH: The Asian art market is a really attractive market. Even if a dealer does not have the opportunity to attend a fair, he can attend another one which will suit better what he has to offer. Moreover, a fair is like a platform. Collectors coming from all around the world attend a fair and they can be attracted to the artwork offered by one peculiar dealer. It can be for this dealer the opening door for new opportunities and other fairs. There are also other fairs in Asia which can attract dealers.
AMA: What is the budget of such a huge project?
A project as important as the Fine Art Asia fair requires a lot of investments. Luckily, our investments are growing over time. It is necessary as rental, venue, and logistics for this kind of event require a lot of resources.
AMA: Fine Art Asia will showcase the finest museum-quality Antiques, ranging from ancient China bronzes to European decorative art without forgetting jewellery and ancient watches, and even Modern and Impressionist paintings. This wide range of artworks is supposed to attract a lot of people, coming from different backgrounds. How many people are you expecting?
CH: This year, for the 8th edition of the fair, we are expecting over 20 thousand people.
AMA: I recently read an article from the Forbes in which Ms Hu Yanyan, the vice president of the auction house China Guardian of Beijing states that although the Chinese art market has slowed down recently, Chinese art remains a good long-term investment. Do you agree with her? And do you think Hong Kong will remain the centre of this amazing market?
CH: I totally agree with Ms Hu Yan Yan. Of course, the current economy and the crisis are affecting the market, but it is also an opportunity to witness the fundamental nature of the market. It enables the market to be more cautious and selective; we have to seek the top-quality products. Indeed, collectors are increasingly picky about the quality of the products they wish to add to their collections. Their needs are more specific. In a long-term perspective, the development will create a natural and healthy market. It is exactly what we attempt to create with our fair. The galleries selected must be of high quality. They have to know how to work. They have to satisfy the peculiar needs of the buyers.
AMA: Fine Art Asia is also organising this month an exhibition on Italian design furniture, the first to take place in Asia. How do you feel about it?
CH: I’m very excited about this exhibition because I am its creator. I had the chance to meet the greatest designers and contemporary artists of the century. When I saw their collections, I was immediately fascinated. This is what I want to see in Asia because it will interest a lot of people. Indeed, few years ago, we organized an exhibition which had a really positive response. People were asking for the price, they were curious. This enthusiasm represents evidence that people are responsive and open-minded. The development of this sector is conceivable.
AMA: Was it your greatest achievement or are you waiting for something more challenging ?
CH: I think this is an encouraging start, proving there is a bright future for the Art market in Asia, more precisely in China and Hong Kong.
AMA: Finally, how do you see the future of Fine Art Asia? How do you see your future? Any other projects you want to develop?
We are going to work hard to provide a work of quality. We can hope that Fine Art Asia will occupy an important part of the Asian Art market. Fine Art Asia has not only to be big, but must also be a proof of quality and trust. We must fulfil our commitment in order to be a leader in Asia. Personally, I wish to enrich my knowledge by discovering art from other countries.
To attend Fine Art Asia, come to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4 to 7 October 2012.