BY KRITI BAJAJ | JANUARY 31, 2017
Christoph and Cordelia Noe
Hong Kong is one of those cities that everyone associates with art due to the teeming presence of quality galleries, anticipated spaces like M+, and top art fairs. But the active diversity of this city means that no two people probably experience it in the same way.
Last week, BLOUIN Culture+Travel shared Alan Lo’s guide to the city, and this week we view Hong Kong through the eyes of art entrepreneurs Christoph and Cordelia Noe, who have lived there for more than five years and whose work is richly involved with the fabric of the city’s art scene.
Christoph Noe is the founder ofTHE MINISTRY OF ART, and also co-founded LARRY’S LIST, a leading art market knowledge company that published the Art Collector Report in 2015 as well as the Private Museum Report in 2016. His area of interest and specialization is Chinese artists of the post-70s and 80s, and he has edited several books on emerging artists in China and Hong Kong. As an art advisor, Christoph also works with a number of international fashion and automotive brands on their art engagements in Greater China. Having formerly lived in Beijing for many years, he says that the move to Hong Kong was “a very rational choice,” with one of the most unique things about Hong Kong being the ease of establishing and doing business.
Cordelia Noe has been involved in the art world since 2006, with experience in both Europe and Asia. She is the founder and CEO of TheArtGorgeous, which explores the engagement of art with fashion and luxury, and will launch its first print issue during the art fair season in March.
The area in Sheung Wan in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, especially around Tai Ping Shan, is one of their favorite parts of Hong Kong — which is why they decided to set up their office here. Historically, the area marks early colonial history, being one of the first places where the British settled; today, it is a contemporary art street with many pop-up galleries, vivid street art, and specialty retailers.
Specifically, Christoph and Cordelia recommend 88 Gallery at 5 Upper Station, which showcases unique design objects including Turquoise Cabinets, as well as Lucie Chang Fine Arts a few meters up the street, which is one of the must-visit galleries to see local emerging artists. They also highlight the Liang Yi Museum on Hollywood, an interactive museum of design, craftsmanship and heritage — and the largest private museum in Hong Kong — referring to it as “a beautiful hidden gem if you want to connect with local Hong Kong art.”
Their involvement with the local art scene resulted in the publication of “20 Hong Kong Artists” a few years ago, which featured emerging artists of the time. “So far all the artists that have been selected to represent Hong Kong at the Venice Biennale (Lee Kit, Tsang Kin-Wah, Samson Young), we had already featured in our publication a few years back,” says Christoph. “We had a good feeling!”
For Cordelia, William Lim's Living Collection is probably the best place “if you want to get a rather comprehensive overview on the local art scene.” She adds that they are “also always excited about the shows which Empty Gallery in Tin Wan puts up. They are very original and often beyond what a typical gallery would show.”
For local cuisine, Cordelia recommends Dim Sum Square, which she claims is a slightly odd name but offers Hong Kong cuisine at its best. “Our favorite dish is called Springroll (inside): the outside is soft and inside crispy — molecular cuisine. The restaurant must have been featured in a local Korean tourist guide because recently it has been filled with the Gangnam crowd!”
She also suggests trying Cafe de Coral — the Hong Kong version of McDonald’s — for a local fast food experience. “We sometimes go there for a quick breakfast, like probably a quarter of the population of Hong Kong: milk tea, eggs, pineapple bun, and macaroni soup.”
Finally, one of their most inspiring getaways in Hong Kong is the beautiful hike on Lantau Island, from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo, passing by a small monastery and offering amazing views of all of Hong Kong. “Sometimes you need a break from all the art,” they say.
http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1905614/the-resident-cordelia-and-christoph-noes-hong-kong
