Asia Art Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 29 Week of 25 August 2025
(1) Hong Kong Showcases Vibrant Arts at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
Hong Kong showcased three performing arts groups at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, supported by its London Economic Office.
(2) Richemont strengthens jewelry portfolio with Vhernier’s Hong Kong debut
Italian jeweller Vhernier, owned by Richemont, will open its first Hong Kong boutique at The Peninsula in Q4 despite a 6% decline in local jewellery sales and rising retail vacancies.
(3) Votion is Unlocking Hong Kong’s Potential in Art and Technology
Hong Kong’s Votion Studios, co-founded in 2021, provides advanced virtual production tools like LED volumes to bridge art and technology.
(4) Homegrown comic icons bring new trend
Hong Kong Heritage Museum’s “Comic Fun for All” exhibition showcases 11 iconic local comic characters across eras. A series of accompanying activities, including artist-led talks, movie screenings, and drawing workshops, is planned.
(1) Hong Kong Showcases Vibrant Arts at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025
(Photo Credit: Bastillepost)
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) supported three distinct Hong Kong performance programmes at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The showcased artists included the One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation, zheng musician Wan Xing, and the a cappella group Yat Po Singers. This initiative was designed to highlight Hong Kong’s vibrant arts scene on an international platform.
The Director-General of the London ETO, Fiona Chau, addressed audiences, emphasising the Hong Kong SAR Government’s commitment to nurturing local talent and expanding global opportunities for its artists. She cited strategic investments in world-class infrastructure, like the Kai Tak Sports Park stadium, and the launch of flagship events such as the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo. Chau also highlighted growing cultural and business ties with Edinburgh, pointing to facilitative policies like the new two-tier liquor duty system designed to boost trade in high-end liquor and related high value-added sectors.
The three specific programmes presented were: a Cantonese Opera children’s interactive theatre production by One Table Two Chairs; a theatrical a cappella adventure by Yat Po Singers; and a collaborative musical performance, “Waves of Tradition,” featuring Wan Xing with UK musicians. These events underscored Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
News Source: https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5128752-hong-kong-showcases-vibrant-arts-at-edinburgh-festival-fringe-2025
(2) Richemont strengthens jewelry portfolio with Vhernier’s Hong Kong debut
(Photo Credit: Jeweller.HK)
Italian luxury jeweller Vhernier is set to make its Hong Kong debut with a boutique at The Peninsula hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui in the fourth quarter of this year. The brand, known for its sculptural, handmade pieces, was acquired last year by Swiss luxury group Richemont to strengthen its jewellery portfolio. This opening represents a significant geographic expansion for the brand, which currently operates boutiques primarily in Europe and the United States.
The arrival occurs against a challenging backdrop for Hong Kong’s retail sector. A slowdown in mainland China’s economy has dampened luxury sales, with official data showing a 6% decline in the value of jewellery and watch sales in the first half of the year, despite a 12% increase in visitor arrivals. Real estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. reports that vacancy rates in prime shopping centres reached a record 10.5% in H1, with rents projected to decline by up to 10% in 2025.
Notably, luxury jewellery remains a resilient segment within the broader high-end goods market. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, jewellery has outperformed categories like watches and apparel, with branded jewellery sales expected to grow by approximately 6% annually. This growth is driven by geographic expansion, increased online penetration, and broader generational appeal.
News Source: https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Richemont-strengthens-jewelry-portfolio-with-vhernier-s-hong-kong-debut,1757832.html
(3) Votion is Unlocking Hong Kong’s Potential in Art and Technology
(Photo Credit: VOGUE)
Hong Kong-based Votion Studios is addressing a perceived gap in the local creative industry by providing advanced technological tools for artists. Co-founded by Roger Proeis in 2021, the studio is equipped with LED volumes, motion control robotics, and high-speed cinema gear. Its mission is to bridge the divide between art and technology, positioning Hong Kong at the forefront of extended reality (XR) and virtual production by offering artists and brands access to next-generation workflows.
The studio’s primary challenge was overcoming the local market’s hesitation towards virtual production and XR, which were initially viewed as experimental. To change these perceptions, Votion focused on demonstrating the practical value of its technology, such as reducing costs by replacing physical sets and speeding up production timelines without sacrificing quality. Building a skilled team that blends technical expertise with creativity was crucial for delivering tangible results and building client trust.
Votion has since collaborated with local celebrities and major brands, contributing to a growing acceptance of these new workflows in Hong Kong. The studio has become a platform for redefining storytelling, allowing for the seamless blending of real and virtual worlds.
News Source: https://www.voguehk.com/en/article/art-lifestyle/votion-roger-proeis-interview/
(4) Homegrown comic icons bring new trend
(Photo Credit: CHINADAILY)
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation, has launched the exhibition “Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics” The exhibition brings to life 11 iconic homegrown comic characters from different historical periods, ranging from classics like Old Master Q (1962) and Sau Sing Chai (1973) to more recent creations such as Taimasing and IT Guy & Art Girl. The display includes models, blown-up images, animated graphics, and rare original manuscripts from as early as the 1950s, some of which were never published.
A significant focus is placed on interactive experiences designed to engage visitors beyond traditional viewing. Features include Rolling Comics Cubes, which allow multiple users to digitally flip through comic strips simultaneously, a Digital Caricature station where visitors can draw themselves as comic characters, and a Comics Photo Booth to insert themselves into strips. A dedicated reading zone with character-themed bean bags offers physical comics for browsing. The exhibition also highlights the legacy of these works, showcasing international award-winning comics and adaptations into TV, film, and video games, such as the 2005 movie Dragon Tiger Gate.
The exhibition provides a dedicated section for each character, detailing the artist’s background and the character’s development through original sketches, memorabilia, and inspirational items. A series of accompanying activities, including artist-led talks, movie screenings, and drawing workshops, is planned.
News Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202508/22/WS68a83486a310851ffdb4fa06.html
