Asia Art Archive’s Awesome Interactive Projects

Asia Art Archive’s unique initiatives range from a collage party to a virtual reality show

We adore all the wonderful exhibits Art Month has to offer, but we especially like finding “off the beaten path” installations to check out. And, ladies, we found some really cool ones. The Asia Art Archive (AAA) will be featuring a series of programmes – including a travelling library! – we think you may really enjoy. Here’s a brief preview of what you can check out:

Under the Influence: Books That Inspire Artists

How cool is the idea of a travelling library? The AAA invited artists to select books which inspired them and their artwork. The result? Hundreds of titles across multiple genres are now on display. Some of the artists used these written works as research for their projects. Audience members who view the publications can explore the personal stories related to the selections and engage with the artist at the events held during the fair. What’s even better about this initiative: after the show, the travelling library will be brought to secondary schools in Hong Kong so students will be able to take part as well.

When: Tuesday, 21 March – Saturday, 25 March
Where: Booth P7, Bookstores and Institutions Area on Level 1 Concourse, Art Basel in Hong Kong

www.aaa.org.hk/UnderTheInfluence

The Collage Party

Did someone say party?  Winnipeg-based artist Paul Butler’s experimental project, The Collage Party, invites you to create art in a social setting (hello, we love being social!). People who want to join in will be able to collage with print materials (provided by AAA) and will cut, past and play as a community. For the first time ever, this project will be staged in Asia (it’s been in North America and Europe previously), so why not make some history and be part of this creative event?

When: Tuesday, 21 March – Thursday, 23 March and Saturday, 25 March
Where: AAA Project Space, 10E Valiant Industrial Centre, 2-12 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, New Territories, Hong Kong

By booking only. To RSVP contact Michelle Wong at [email protected]

www.aaa.org.hk/TheCollageParty

Artist Talk And Exhibition, Ho Tzu Nyen: The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia

Art is so much more fun when it’s interactive, and Singapore-based artist Ho Tzu Nyen gets viewers of his work started with the question of,  “What unites the region called Southeast Asia?” He created an interactive “dictionary” of shape-shifting and amorphous characters, ideas and genres, and then takes part in an artist conversation (and a light brunch!) with AAA researcher, Chuong-Dai Vo.

When: Friday, 24 March, 11am. (brunch served from 10am to 12pm.). The exhibit runs from Tuesday, 21 March – Saturday, 19 August
Where: A Space, Asia Art Archive, 10/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

 www.aaa.org.hk/HoTzuNyen

Virtual Reality Project, Nonny de la Peña: Passage: The Life of A Wall On Lin He Road

Unlike what you’d expect from a virtual reality art piece, Nonny de la Peña’s Life of A Wall On Lin He Road is kind of ballsy. Talk about devotion to one’s art – in his initial performance, which took place in the middle of a busy road in Guangzhou, Lin built a wall brick by brick, forcing cars to detour around him as he worked. (Can you imagine doing that on Queen’s Road Central?) For this project, he will recreate the environment through an immersive virtual reality where participants will take on Lin’s role as a roadside artist.

When: Thursday, 23 March – Saturday, 25 March
Where: L3 Concourse, Art Basel, Hong Kong

www.aaa.org.hk/NonnydelaPena