Culture & Cool from Asia's most dynamic city
British artist D*Face launches his exhibition “Honestly Dishonest” at an off-Basel event taking place at Above Second Gallery in Sai Ying Pun on Friday, May 16th. The London-based artist cites early New York graffiti and skateboard graphics, as two of his major influences.
The second Art Basel Hong Kong begins on Thursday and artist Carsten Nicolai is taking over the city’s tallest building for a special light installation. The 118 floor ICC will feature an interactive show designed by the Berlin-based artist, and there’s an app that lets you participate!
After years of head-scratching, sly remarks, and outright guffaws, Hong Kong’s provocatively Latin-named litter recycling bins have been given a new moniker. Patches of green tape have been placed over the offending three-letter word that made them somewhat scandalous.
The Pigalle crew from Paris hit Hong Kong last Saturday with a demonstration of their skills on the basketball court and behind the turntables. The founder and friends, in town to launch their collaboration with Nike, headlined a 3-on-3 basketball competition and later DJed at FLY.
Those last few LINE messages you received were not in fact SPAM, but instructions on how to join a special pop-up store at Hysan Place. Much like the popularity of Angry Birds, cute characters found only in mobile apps are rapidly becoming stars in merchandising.
A new pop-up restaurant combines two things that Hong Kong loves – Hello Kitty and Japanese food. The restaurant (which serves ramen,) is just one of many special collaborations to mark the 40th anniversary of Hello Kitty.
Chanel held an event on Tuesday night for their J12 watch series, taking over the function hall of the Asia Society. Although the main attraction was meant to be an installation of 365 small screens, what really got our attention was a Chanel surfboard!
Tiger Curry, a collaboration between the chef of the popular Sushi Kuu restaurant, and the people behind Lily & Bloom, opens after Easter in Causeway Bay. The menu is based on their signature Japanese curry sauce that contains 26 different ingredients.
Last Thursday night, Jimmy Choo held a unique event that allowed guests to try their hand at mixology. Under the guidance of a professional, attendees took turns preparing a special signature drink, ‘His Royal Flush,’ created exclusively for Jimmy Choo men’s collection.
Hip Hop fans descended on Macau’s club Cubic for a night with Raekwon and Ghostface Killah on March 14th. Playing a lengthy set, the two New York M.C.s performed many of their underground classics as well as a few songs by Wu members Method Man and O.D.B..
K-Pop superstar CL, who was in Hong Kong last weekend to perform with 2NE1, stopped by fashion retailer On Pedder for a quick autograph session. The in-store event – which celebrated a CL x Kenzo shoot in the upcoming edition of ‘Pedderzine’, was packed!
For a music event that was thrown together supposedly in just a month, HKfanzone is an impressive new addition to the city. The six night harbor-front concert series features both local and international talent with Hong Kong Island’s most iconic skyscrapers serving as the backdrop.
Cubic is celebrating their 3rd anniversary with a performance by hit-maker rapper / actor Ludacris. The Grammy award winner joins other major names such as Akon and Taio Cruz who have taken the stage at Cubic’s previous birthday celebrations.
Volcom held an event for the premier of “True To This,” their new film celebrating the creativity and spirit of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. With a rooftop location, a live band, a BBQ, giveaways, and a mind-blowing movie, there wasn’t much not to like!
The Alexander McQueen MCQ store opening on Wednesday night treated Causeway Bay shoppers to a free live performance. Hong Kong band, “The Yours” played a short, but rocking set directly on the sidewalk of Paterson Street.
The fact that the Betsey Johnson x Steve Madden fashion show on Friday night was entertaining was somewhat of a surprise. In-store shows are often cramped and clumsy affairs, but this one actually succeeded in being charismatic and fun.
Playboy celebrated their 60th anniversary in Hong Kong with an in-store event at Lane Crawford, IFC. The well-attended party featured two Playboy playmates, Jessa Hinton, and Alana Campos, who posed throughout the night wearing the iconic Playboy bunny outfit.
ParallelX, an exhibition by artists Jewelle Yeung and Leah Clough opens on Wednesday, March 12th at the new location of the Above Second Gallery. The show includes both drawings and paintings.
Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, prominent members of Hip Hop supergroup, Wu-Tang Clan, will be performing at club Cubic, Macau, on Friday, March 14th. For fans of authentic New York Hip Hop, this is perhaps the biggest show of the year!
Ambush, a jewelry and accessories brand from Japan held a crowded pop-up launch at Joyce last Thursday. The founders, Verbal and Yoon are an interesting pair. How many avant-garde jewelry brands have a successful rapper as lead designer?
The Hong Kong breakdance scene is no joke! Saturday’s dance battle organized by BboyHK brought out the city’s best dancers and featured moves that you’ll need to watch in slow motion in order to understand.
Artist Miya Ando, who creates fascinating works using ancient sword smith techniques is opening a solo show titled “Light Metal” on Thursday, February 13th. The artist, who grew up in Japan and California, works primarily in steel and aluminum.
Red Bull’s first Flugtag Hong Kong in 2010 was one of the city’s most successful events ever. The turnout packed West Kowloon with over 30,000 spectators who watched the zany home-made aircraft take (often brief) flight before plummeting into the harbor.
The Hub Hong Kong is an essential fashion trade show for brands looking to reach a wider audience in Asia and for regional buyers to discover a hundred and fifty labels all under one roof.
L.A.-based artists Cyrcle were back in Hong Kong for the unveiling of the latest Vaford Gates mural. The night was a combination art launch and charity fundraiser with a vibe more like an underground warehouse party.
Although the main complex is still under development, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park is worth a visit simply on its own. The modern public space surpasses expectations and appears as if the architect’s rendering suddenly sprung to life.
Destructive Steps Hong Kong, a major breakdancing battle is set to take place on Saturday, February 15th. The competition is a qualifying event leading up to the championship in Sydney, Australia.
There’s something to be said about standing out at a party where everyone’s goal is to be noticed. However, at Saturday’s Joyrich Hong Kong store opening, I stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Long before he designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, or the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, architect Frank Gehry built a series of lamps in the mid 80’s that contained hints of where he was going creatively.
Enter the Aland Hong Kong flagship store in Causeway Bay and the friendly, well-dressed staff are not so easy to distinguish from the equally stylish young shoppers.