Design and art are inherently linked, both representing our pursuit of visual aesthetics. We can understand an artist’s style through their artwork, as well as see a person’s artistic taste reflected in the design of a space. Inspired by his passion for collecting, local entrepreneur Gilbert Yeung’s collection has expanded from furniture to contemporary art in recent years. Gilbert showcases these favorites at his bar, Cassio, under the dragon-i group, turning the simple bar into a small exhibition space.
During the spring auction held by Christie’s Hong Kong from May 21 to 30, Jacky Ho, Vice Chairman of the 20th and 21st Century Art Department in Asia Pacific and Evening Sale Director, who is a close friend of Gilbert, specially curated a “Mini Pop-up Gallery” for him, featuring 6 masterpieces that will be showcased in this season’s “20th and 21st Century Art Auction.” The selected artworks by Jonathan Chapline, Avery Singer, Javier Calleja, Nicolas Party, Yayoi Kusama, and Kusama Kiyoshi highlight the charm of contemporary art intersecting with interior design.
In this episode of “Art City Travelogue,” follow Gilbert and Jacky into the elegant and stylish Cassio, exploring the various design details and artistic decorations of this “exhibition hall.” In addition to getting to know Gilbert’s unique taste in different art categories, see what visual surprises Jacky will show us after adding artworks to the space.
“Whether it’s interior design, collecting furniture, or art, they all share the same nature.”
Growing up in the 60s and 70s, Gilbert, like many Hong Kong people, absorbed culture from television. That era valued craftsmanship, and whether it was furniture, interior design, or daily necessities, they all had a unique handmade texture and warmth. Gilbert is very fascinated by nostalgic things, not only because they are full of the feelings of the old times, but also because they carry precious emotions and memories of childhood, which has led him to embark on the path of collecting antique furniture.
Gilbert shared with us that every time he travels to a new place, he likes to go treasure hunting at flea markets or antique furniture stores. I remember one time when he visited a second-hand market in Paris, he was pleasantly surprised to find a floor lamp that was the same as the one in his grandfather’s house. Without hesitation, he bought it and added it to his collection. Besides appreciating the aesthetic concepts of that era, tracing back memories with loved ones through old items is a significant value of collecting.
Gilbert laughed and said, “When I was a child, going to family and friends’ homes with my dad, I always thought the decorations were old-fashioned. But looking back as an adult, I realized that those were actually good things.” The saying “old is better than new” may not necessarily mean that the quality of modern designs is inferior to the past, but rather that objects, after being seasoned by time, will show a rich and mellow flavor like aged wine, making the space more charming.
However, we are all curious about how Gilbert will use these furniture collections. He said, “Some will be placed in the home or office, sometimes when opening a new store, I will review my collection file again, and then think about what collections can complement that space. The process is very interesting.” For Gilbert, interior design, collecting furniture, and art are actually sharing the same language system, because they all emphasize personal aesthetics and taste.
Take Cassio as an example, here the outdoor area is furnished with some retro-style rattan furniture sourced from Japan, as well as antique small dining tables bought from Paris. When fashionable interior design style meets nostalgic furniture arrangement, it presents a rich layering of old and new eras intertwined.
“I hope to blend elements of design and music together to create a friendly and uplifting space.”
The habit of collecting undoubtedly inspired Gilbert’s interest in interior design, and in addition to antique furniture, he also collects records, paintings, and more. It is this passion for music and street art that greatly influences the design tone of this space. Located on Wo On Lane in Central, Cassio is not just a place for people to drink and party, but a space for sharing music and art culture.
Gilbert, who has always loved the medieval modernist style, initially invited Italian designer Fabrizio Casiraghi to lead the design project, setting a new classical tone for the space. After a makeover, with the embellishment of French design unit HERVET Manufacturier’s designers Nicolas and Cédric, every corner of the restaurant is filled with design ingenuity, presenting a more avant-garde and fashionable artistic style than ever before.
Designer Nicolas is a master carpenter who combines traditional techniques with futuristic design, while Cédric was the creative director of the legendary French electronic music group Daft Punk. Gilbert describes himself as a “super fan” of Daft Punk and greatly appreciates their visual image inspired by retro-futurism. It was rare to meet the creative geniuses behind them, and they hit it off right away, leading to this collaboration.
Unlike typical lounges, Cassio does not have a crowded or oppressive feeling. The spacious layout between diamond-shaped tables, streamlined seating, and walnut partitions add a modern and stylish artistic flair to the entire space. Combined with colorful small light decorations on the ceiling and yellow-toned lighting fixtures, there is an elegant and vibrant atmosphere here.
One of the most prominent features is a series of exclusive designed furniture, mirrors with attached lighting, and a central DJ booth, combined with other retro-style facilities indoors, creating an unforgettable retro-futuristic style. In terms of interior design, Gilbert said he always gives designers freedom, allowing them enough space to showcase their talents. He said, “I never give strict rules, only provide a general concept, and then adjust gradually based on their designs. I quite like this collaborative approach.”
Although Gilbert maintains an open attitude towards interior design, he is meticulous about every detail. From the size of the desktop to the height of the partitions, he has made adjustments to ensure the perfect outcome, even jokingly saying that his family calls him “crazy.” He hopes that guests can enjoy a party or concert-like experience when they come, so investing in these small details is worthwhile. It is this attitude of perfectionism in the details that sets Cassio apart and allows him to showcase a unique style.
“I like to invite artists to collaborate with us.”
Besides interior design, Gilbert also incorporated his love for art at Cassio. This includes multiple graffiti pieces hanging at the entrance, all created by Japanese illustrator Naijel Graph. Reminiscing about a visit to a café in the streets of Tokyo, Gilbert fell in love with Naijel’s casual yet humorous graffiti style seen on the clothing designed by him. After they met, they delved deeper into the streets of Tokyo together, exploring more music and street culture. Their similar tastes and interests made them instant friends, leading Gilbert to collect some of Naijel’s works and inviting him to design the logo for Cassio, adding a touch of casual street style to the lounge.
And a row of TV video works displayed at the entrance of the bar is also very eye-catching. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Gilbert intentionally invited Italian video artist Marco Brambilla to create new works. The first time Gilbert saw Marco’s work was in a hotel in New York. Gilbert found the artist’s contact information and, without thinking too much, just wanted to personally tell the artist how much he appreciated his work. Upon further discussion, Gilbert learned that this artist had previously created digital videos for Kanye West. Later, Gilbert coincidentally met Marco in Hong Kong for an exhibition, which naturally led to their collaboration.
Gilbert applies his favorite artistic elements to decorate the space, allowing the space to overflow with a different artistic atmosphere. Some collectors see buying art as an investment, only purchasing pieces they believe have the potential to appreciate in value. But for Gilbert, collecting art is actually an investment in space, aiming to enhance the style of the space.
He shared with us a series of works by Canadian photographer Greg Girard that he has recently noticed, documenting Hong Kong in the 1960s and 1970s. The impressions of Hong Kong captured through these lenses deeply touched him, from the magnificent neon lights between buildings, the bustling scenes on the streets, to even the decadent nightlife hidden in a corner of the city that fascinated him. Gilbert said, “I don’t just go to beautiful places, I used to wander around different areas in Central, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, and Wan Chai. I really like the rough feeling of Hong Kong’s streets, rather than just appreciating the glamorous side of the city.”
“This collaboration with Christie’s has inspired me to inject more art and lifestyle elements into this space.“
Because of Gilbert’s attitude of compatibility and openness towards different categories of art, it has also led to collaborations with the art world. The Christie’s Hong Kong Spring Auction will officially kick off tomorrow, with Jacky Ho, Deputy Chairman of the 20th and 21st Century Art Department in the Asia Pacific region and Evening Auction Manager, transforming Cassio into an exhibition space. From the day and night auctions of “20th and 21st Century Art,” he will select 6 currently popular art pieces to display at Cassio, exploring what unexpected sparks can emerge between the design-oriented lounge space and various types of contemporary art.
Artworks that can be auctioned at prestigious venues are often valuable, even giving a sense of unattainability, but as long as you choose artworks that suit the design style of the space, art can actually be integrated into our daily lives.
In order to complement Cassio’s avant-garde contemporary design features, Jacky brought in the paintings of Jonathan Chapline, Avery Singer, Javier Calleja, Nicolas Party, Yayoi Kusama, and the sculptures of Kong Shanji. Facing the guests is Calleja’s “SOMEBODY,” where a boy with an innocent face showcases a playful atmosphere, combined with Gilbert’s existing collection of Japanese illustrators, allowing people to feel the charm of trendy art here.
Next to it is the creation of “Sexy Robot – Walking in the Space” by Kongsan Ji, which also complements Cassio’s own futuristic atmosphere. This sculpture echoes the style of Daft Punk band members, a favorite of Gilbert, and is accompanied by futuristic lighting equipment and a DJ booth in the space, injecting a vibrant electronic music energy into the venue.
Inspired by Jacky’s collaboration with Christie’s and Cassio, Avery Singer’s “Untitled” is indispensable. Under the artist’s skillful light and shadow contrast, the woman in the painting holding a bottle and glass, creating a party atmosphere of toasting, is a true reflection of Cassio’s nightly scene.
In addition, Yayoi Kusama’s “A Flower”, Nicolas Party’s “Still life”, and Jonathan Chapline’s “Image Gallery (Collecting and Transcribing)” are all colorful paintings, with the unexpected combination of red, yellow, and blue colors complementing Cassio’s presentation of the primary colors in the lighting installation.
Gilbert emphasized that when conceptualizing interior design, the most important aspect for him is the lighting effect. Looking at the spiral bronze branch chandelier hanging in the lounge, Gilbert explained that it was inspired by the lighting installations seen in Italian dance halls by the HERVET design team. Even Jacky was surprised to find that the painting by Swiss artist Nicolas Party unexpectedly matched the lighting fixtures inside Cassio, feeling as if the energy of the artwork extended from the canvas to the indoor space, creating a refreshing sight.
Design aesthetics have always been an extension of art, and this collaboration showcases the different interpretations of contemporary aesthetics by Gilbert and Jacky, who come from different fields. Stepping into Cassio’s space today, we delve deep into Gilbert’s aesthetics through details such as design, installations, color combinations, lighting, and interior decoration, complemented by selected contemporary artworks from Christie’s, perfectly demonstrating how contemporary design and art can enter our lives, turning spaces into canvases.
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Executive Producer: Angus Mok
Producer: Vicky Wai
Editor: Ruby Yiu
Videography: Andy Lee, Angus Chau
Photography: Andy Lee, Angus Chau
Makeup: Yvonne.A Makeup
Video Editor: Andy Lee
Designer: Edwina Chan
Location: Cassio
Artworks: CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG LIMITED
Special Thanks: Gilbert Yeung, Jacky Ho@Christie’s Hong Kong
