ART TAIPEI 2024 | ART TAIPEI 2024 and Taipei Art Week: Shaping the City’s Aesthetics and Depth

ART TAIPEI 2024 and Taipei Art Week: Shaping the City’s Aesthetics and Depth

ART TAIPEI 2024 will be grandly held at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 from October 25th to 28th, 2024(VIP preview is on October 24th). Today (September 30th), a pre-exhibition press conference for ART TAIPEI 2024 and the inaugural Taipei Art Week was held on the 88th floor of Taipei 101, unveiling the highlights of the upcoming event. ART TAIPEI 2024 will gather 123 exhibitors, including 73 domestic galleries and 50 international galleries from eight countries: China (Hong Kong), Czech Republic, France, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Philippines, and Singapore (in alphabetical order).

This year’s exhibition focuses on youthfulness, the 30+1 anniversary, rebranding, digitalization, and sustainability, showcasing the innovation and progress of Taiwan’s art market. These elements not only reflect Taiwan’s forward-thinking position in the global art market but also emphasize the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development.

The inaugural Taipei Art Week adopts the theme “In Bloom,” with “openness” as its core concept, aiming to fill Taipei with art activities in October, creating a “blossoming everywhere” effect. Taipei Art Week integrates 70 galleries within Taipei, 18 museum partnerships, 25 art response units, 28 public art installations, 8 city roaming routes, and 1 international forum. The collaboration scale of over 100 units not only showcases the richness of Taipei’s art society but also surpasses the scale of many renowned art weeks globally, highlighting the uniqueness and influence of Taipei Art Week in the international art scene. It fully demonstrates the charm and diversity of visual arts in Taiwan. Through the organization of Taipei Art Week, it is hoped to bring visual art resources to the citizens of Taipei, people across Taiwan, and international visitors, demonstrating Taipei’s vitality and charisma as an international cultural city through the power of Taiwanese art.

Digital Innovation and Sustainable Development: Art Experiences for the Younger Generation

Chairperson of the Taiwan Art Gallery Association, Claudia Chen, stated in her speech: “This year’s ART TAIPEI features a new team, approaching the rebranding of ART TAIPEI by focusing on sustainability and digitalization, and aiming to align more closely with global trends.” ART TAIPEI has independently developed an online viewing room and digital publications, and this year launched digital VIP cards.

The digital VIP cards have reduced the production of 22,800 plastic VIP cards, and the digital publications have cut down 8,400 kilograms of printed materials, combining to reduce carbon emissions by over 23 tons. The online viewing room is expected to attract 120,000 visitors, potentially reducing 144 tons of carbon emissions from commuting. These digital innovations not only cater to the usage habits of the younger generation but also make concrete contributions to environmental protection and sustainable exhibitions, showcasing ART TAIPEI’s forward-thinking position in the global art market.

This year’s ART TAIPEI Executive Committee representative, Steven Lee, General Manager of Asia Art Center, and Jury Committee representative, Katty Chang from Apollo Art Gallery, mentioned in their speeches that there are numerous galleries applying to participate each year. A strict selection process is necessary to choose the galleries. This year, the Executive Committee has put significant effort into international recruitment, resulting in the invitation of renowned international galleries that have not participated in ART TAIPEI in recent years, such as Perrotin, Scai the Bathhouse, √K Contemporary, and Mizuma Gallery. These galleries will present outstanding works at ART TAIPEI.

Post-Pandemic International Cooperation and Cultural Exchange

Deputy Minister of Culture, Lee Ching-Hui, stated in her speech that she was very pleased to see the representatives from the Czech Republic at the pre-exhibition press conference. In July this year, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan collaborated on a month-long exchange in literature and film. She was delighted to see the cooperation between the Czech Centre Taipei and ART TAIPEI, representing international exchanges initiated by the government and furthered by private entities.

David Steinke, representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office, also mentioned on stage that the exchange between Taiwan and the Czech Republic has been ongoing for 30 years and has been further strengthened this year. They chose to participate in ART TAIPEI, the most important art event in Asia, and have selected artists who can represent the Czech Republic to join this event. He also invited everyone to visit their booth at the exhibition.

In June of this year, the Czech Center Taipei was officially established, and they will present contemporary Czech art at ART TAIPEI under the theme “Variety of Stories.” This theme is telling stories from unknown or distant lands ended with globalization. It - on the other hand - brought a higher level of understanding. Nevertheless, even in our current reality there are cultural differences, but we can overcome them with visual art. Their participation not only highlights the central role of ART TAIPEI in the global art market but also promises to bring a more diverse and high-quality array of artworks to the audience.

Activating Artistic Momentum: Bringing Art to Every Corner of the City

Wayne Chiang, Mayor of Taipei, shared his thoughts on the future development of art in Taipei. He believes that culture is the soul of a city, and art shapes the city’s aesthetics and depth. The inaugural Taipei Art Week combines galleries, museums, and various institutions, making October in Taipei very artistic. This year, Taipei Art Week divides Taipei into eight zones, showcasing the connection between many artists and the land in celebration of Taipei’s 140th anniversary. He mentioned that events like the Taipei Film Festival, Taipei Fashion Week, ART TAIPEI, and Taipei Art Week allow art to extend beyond museums, rooting deeply into citizens’ lives and becoming a true part of everyday life.

Hsu, Shu-hua, a Taipei City Councilor, mentioned that promoting art is a goal shared by both the central and local governments. October in Taipei is filled with numerous art programs, from Taipei Fashion Week and ART TAIPEI to Taipei Art Week. She hopes to establish October as Taiwan’s Art Month in the future, integrating museum (museum partnerships) tours into travel itineraries. Art Month can also collaborate with different countries, such as the newly established Czech Center Taipei, to promote cultural exchange and international tourism.

The Taiwan Art Gallery Association (TAGA), the organizer of ART TAIPEI, has officially launched Taipei Art Week, integrating member resources and Taipei’s artistic assets to embed art into every corner of the city, becoming a core force for social change and cultural heritage. The inaugural event, themed “In Bloom,” centers on the concept of “openness,” aiming to fill Taipei with art activities in October, creating a “blossoming everywhere” effect. The event will divide Taipei into eight zones, connecting galleries, museums, and various cultural institutions, fully activating the city’s artistic momentum.

The initial intention of Taipei Art Week is to break the confines of art appreciation limited to indoor exhibition halls, spreading art activities throughout the city. During October, audiences can experience the highest level of artistic atmosphere, encouraging everyone to explore the city and use the digital platform on the art week website to search for related themes, activities, forums, or exhibitions based on personal interests. This initiative aims to make art appreciation flourish citywide, presenting a vibrant scene of diverse artistic expressions. With its high density of galleries and museums, Taipei stands out in Asia. Through Taipei Art Week, not only local residents but also international visitors can gain deeper insights into Taiwan’s art industry and development, easily participating in the rich and colorful art activities during the week, showcasing the thriving landscape of Taiwan’s art scene.

Huang Shan Shan, the Director of JUT Art Museum, mentioned that during Taipei Art Week, they will plan exhibitions and exchanges for international audiences. She emphasized that a great city requires corresponding cultural connotations. What museums can offer to the audience is a sensory experience that combines physical sensations and intellectual stimulation, provoking thoughtful reflections.

Dual Mission of ART TAIPEI: Art Fair and Art Education

Notably, ART TAIPEI is the only art fair among major global art fairs to host an Art Education Day, continuously promoting art education and allowing audiences of all ages to participate and experience the infinite charm of art. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, four sub-programs are introduced: Art Education Day Visits, Cultivation Plans for Exhibition Guides and Art Education DIY, ART Education DIY Activities, and the Educational Curriculum Linkup Program. This year, in partnership with the Children’s Art Education Center of the TAIPEI FINE ARTS MUSEUM, a special children’s art education area will be set up within the exhibition, allowing children to interact with the artworks during the ART TAIPEI exhibition period.

Deep Collaboration Between Enterprises and Artists: The First Step in Promoting Corporate Art Collections in Taiwan

In terms of corporate collaboration, ART TAIPEI continues to focus on promoting corporate art collections and facilitating cooperation between enterprises and artists. This year, it continues its in-depth collaborations with Julius Baer, The Balvenie, Mercedes-Benz , Edition de Parfums Frédéric Malle, and CHENHOW MARBLE. Julius Baer and artist Jam Wu will present “Weaving of Light and Earth,” navigating the issues of global localisation and cultural heritage through this exhibition, to explore the intersection of finance, sustainability, and art, reflecting Julius Baer’s innovative spirit and ambition to positively impact society and the environment. The Balvenie continues to uphold its artistic brand spirit of "Made by Heart," and this year, it once again introduces an brand new whisky art story. Mercedes-Benz will collaborate with generative artist Aluan Wang, presenting the power and beauty of the fusion of technology and art at their booth. Edition de Parfums Frédéric Malle will collaborate with Joyce Ho to present a dialogue between fragrance and contemporary art, while CHENHOW MARBLE, in its third year of collaboration, will showcase the integration of stone and art at their booth.

From Local Culture to Global Technology: The Diversity of Taiwanese Art

Taiwan’s artistic uniqueness lies not only in its fusion of technology and international elements but also in its rich local culture. ART TAIPEI 2024 particularly focuses on art and culture native to Taiwan, continuing to feature the Taiwan Indigenous Art Exhibition Area for the fifth consecutive year. These creations, rooted in Taiwanese soil, exhibit strong local characteristics and cultural confidence amidst the process of globalization.

In addition to indigenous artists, the MIT – Young Artists Connection with the World showcases artists who, through unique perspectives, skillfully blend Taiwanese local culture with international art trends, highlighting the diversity and richness of Taiwanese culture. Taiwan has garnered significant international attention in recent years for its leading position in AI technology, a prowess that is vividly displayed in the MIT – Young Artists Connection with the World at ART TAIPEI 2024. This year’s special area features artists who create using AI technology, merging AI with art to produce distinctive works that demonstrate the deep integration of technology and art.

The mission of Taipei Art Week is to make art not just an unattainable piece in galleries and fairs but a part of daily life. By continuously promoting art education, digital innovation, and cultural integration, Taipei Art Week aims to establish a platform that encourages more artists, collectors, and audiences to participate, collectively advancing the popularization and development of art. We hope this platform can connect the past and the future, passing on the infinite creativity of art to the next generation, and revitalizing the city’s culture through art, creating a city where international and local cultures blend seamlessly.

ART TAIPEI 2024 focuses on youthfulness, digitalization, and sustainability, showcasing the innovation and progress of Taiwan’s art market. Through digital innovations such as digital VIP cards, digital publications, and the online viewing room, it not only aligns with the usage habits of the younger generation but also makes concrete contributions to environmental protection and sustainable exhibitions. The content continues to focus on art and culture native to Taiwan, featuring the Taiwan Indigenous Art Exhibition Area, and in the MIT – Young Artists Connection with the World, showcasing innovative works that integrate AI technology and art. These efforts not only reflect Taiwan’s forward-thinking position in the global art market but also emphasize the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development. The diverse exhibitions and art activities, perhaps unique to Taiwan’s free land, develop with such vitality, revitalizing the city’s culture through art and creating a city where international and local cultures blend seamlessly.

ART TAIPEI 2024 Exhibition Information

VIP Preview

Dates: October 24 (Thu) - October 25 (Fri)

Preview Hours

October 24 (Thu) 15:00-21:00

October 25 (Fri) 11:00-14:00

Exhibition Dates

Dates: October 25 (Fri) - October 28 (Mon)

Exhibition Hours

October 25 (Fri) 14:00-19:00

October 26 (Sat) 11:00-19:00

October 27 (Sun) 11:00-19:00