Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

Art in Hong Kong is the subject of continuing international attention, from the booming art markets to the development of West Kowloon and the M+ museum concept. This attention frequently focuses on the spectacles created by the market and events, but little is understood about how the local art scene is operated, and how the arts would be consumed and received by the audiences. Interestingly, the global profile of the art market has also further influenced and aided the cultural vision of Hong Kong in which numerous non-profit and public sector developments of art venues echoing the market position. How would the global ignite the city’s imagination about arts and culture? What does arts bring to Hong Kong? Inspired by the notion of cultural consumption and symbolic creativity from cultural studies, sociology and anthropology of art, this paper will investigate what art institutions and organisations offer to diverse audiences, such as knowledge, social status, and cultural interests, and the audiences’ experiences of art, in relation to exhibits, educational activities, sales and collecting, and social interaction. It also examines the product of the art markets as the accumulation of capital culture in relation to high-end sales, conspicuous consumption, collecting, wider social interaction and the development of local production of art. Drawing perspectives and insights from different players of the local art scene, it is hoped that this dialogue will be opened in considering the future education provision, culture sustainability and public participation.