Van Gogh’s Ear sculpture harbourfront in Hong Kong, plus works by pop artist Keith Haring, for art mall K11 Musea’s 1st anniversary celebrations

K11 Musea is displaying Van Gogh’s Ear, a nine-metre-high sculpture by Danish-Norwegian artist duo Elmgreen and Dragset, at the mall’s harbourfront promenade. Photo: K11

From October 9 to November 8, Hong Kong’s statement art mall K11 Musea is celebrating its first anniversary with a plethora of artistic and cultural happenings.

It’s been a year since the cultural-retail destination opened its doors at Victoria Dockside in Tsim Sha Tsui and, despite the challenges facing Hong Kong during Covid-19, the hybrid venue has seen great popularity among the city’s most sophisticated shoppers and has established itself as the go-to spot for a tasteful melange of art, culture, retail and dining.

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The K11 Art and Cultural Centre. Photo: K11

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K11 Musea has planned quite the itinerary for its first birthday, beginning with a statement art display of Van Gogh’s Ear, a nine-metre-high sculpture by Danish-Norwegian artist duo Elmgreen and Dragset. The sculpture, which looks like an upright swimming pool complete with diving board, will be strategically situated at the mall’s harbourfront promenade for a surreal viewing experience.

K11 has also arranged a limited-time showcase of artworks by the iconic American pop artist Keith Haring, presented by Phillips auction house in the new K11 Art and Cultural Centre from October 9 to 18.

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The Fertility Suite (1983) by Keith Haring, the complete set of five screen-prints in colour. Photo: K11

The auction house will also host a screening of a documentary about Haring’s life and career at K11 Musea’s immersive outdoor venue, Sunken Plaza, on October 10 in the evening.

If Haring – or Kaws or Hebru Brantley – are artists who speak to you, you might have also heard of Javier Calleja, the up-and-coming artist from MAlaga, Spain. Calleja, who presented at Art Basel in Hong Kong in 2019, will have a special pop-up exhibition at K11 Musea’s 20,000 sq ft retail space Muse Edition. Visitors can look forward to enjoying the Spanish artist’s Thinking Boy and Little Maurizio sculptures, as well as a display of Little Maurizio mini-figurines, all featuring the artist’s signature wide-eyed character.

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Thinking Boy (2019) by Javier Calleja. Photo: K11

The K11 Design Store will also offer Calleja’s Little Maurizio mini-figurines for sale in a variety of colours – definitely a must-buy for any contemporary art collector.

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Closer to home, Always I Distrust is a new short film by Chinese contemporary artist Cheng Ran that will debut in Hong Kong at the Gold Ball, the striking yet functional focal point of K11 Musea. Starring beloved Hong Kong actress Carina Lau and produced by K11 founder Adrian Cheng, the short film uses virtual reality as a vessel for its imaginative narrative.

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Cheng Ran’s Always I Distrust explores the emotional isolation of city dwellers and features acclaimed actress Carina Lau. Photo: K11

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The Glorious Heritage, meanwhile, is an homage to the rich Chinese craftsmanship traditions baibaoqian and luodian – inlaying and lantern art – that will be screened in K11 Musea’s The Experience Chamber.

Complementing the art is a range of K11 Exclusives rewards comprising shopping and dining anniversary benefits. Eight restaurants – that opened for the first time in Hong Kong at K11 Musea – will offer special anniversary menus and drinks. Three new restaurants also recently opened on the mall’s sixth floor, offering even more impeccable dining options. A variety of limited-edition products will be available at the mall’s fashion, beauty, sports and lifestyle stores.

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