In the past, when wanting to see large-scale art exhibitions in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum were often the top choices. However, with the opening of M+, local art enthusiasts now have another great place to visit! M+ is known as the first global contemporary visual culture museum in Asia, showcasing outstanding collections from Hong Kong, Greater China, Asia, and around the world, covering a wide variety of art forms.
However, apart from Hong Kong, which has allocated more resources to develop the cultural and artistic field after the millennium, other regions in Asia are also actively developing the field of contemporary art. Here are 5 high-level contemporary art museums located in different parts of Asia for everyone to explore!
Taipei City Art Museum
Taipei Fine Arts Museum was established in 1983 and is the first contemporary art museum in the country. The museum building itself is very grand, located in the Art Park of the Taipei International Flora Expo, combining architectural art with a natural garden environment. The lobby of the building is about 15 meters high, with a 3-story high ceiling, in the form of a cantilevered flying corridor, adopting a “well” shaped structure, with traditional architectural elements of bracket sets as the main framework, symbolizing the museum as a source of cultural vitality. The surrounding walls are designed with full glass windows for lighting, and the central courtyard receives natural light sources, with light and shadow changing with the movement of time, displaying a natural and vivid quality!
The art museum not only plans various contemporary art exhibitions in Taiwan, but also actively participates in international art fairs, including the “Taipei Biennial” and the “Venice Biennale.” This year, they are showcasing solo exhibitions by heavyweight domestic and foreign artists, including the highly anticipated “Chiharu Shiota Solo Exhibition,” as well as “Lu Mingde Solo Exhibition” and “Gao Zhongli Solo Exhibition,” attracting many audiences from all over Taiwan.
2. National Gallery Singapore
The National Gallery Singapore was converted from the former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings. This national art museum is dedicated to collecting artworks from Singapore and Southeast Asia, showcasing the region’s unique perspectives in art, cultural heritage, and history; definitely worth exploring and experiencing for both local and international visitors! The National Gallery Singapore spans 64,000 square meters, making it the largest visual arts institution in Singapore and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Notably, renowned singer-songwriter and record producer JJ Lin was invited to participate in the National Gallery Singapore’s “My Artwork” series, which will be permanently exhibited in the museum.
3. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is mainly composed of a core tower, a central exhibition hall, seven auxiliary exhibition halls spread across three floors, and an outdoor sculpture garden.
This year, the late chairman of Samsung Group, Lee Kun-hee, announced the donation of over 1600 modern art pieces collected during his lifetime by masters such as Kim Hwan-ki, Park Soo-keun, Lee Jung-seop, Monet, Picasso, and Chagall to institutions such as the National Museum of Modern Art, allowing these top-notch artworks to be shared with the public. The museum will also present a new exhibition and retrospective of Ai Weiwei’s works at the end of the year, including the documentary film “Coronation” depicting the situation in Wuhan during the pandemic closure in 2020, as well as the film “Omni” utilizing VR technology. Additionally, the museum will showcase a large-scale new project that integrates local elements, embodying the unique characteristics of the museum space.
4. Japan Mori Art Museum
The Mori Art Museum is located on the 53rd floor of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan. It is the highest art museum in Japan, showcasing top Japanese art pieces and offering a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Their creative projects include art, architecture, and design, with a core concept that balances contemporary and international elements, featuring works by young artists from Asia and other regions, allowing visitors to see a variety of contemporary art here.
5. Museum MACAN
Museum MACAN is Indonesia’s first world-class contemporary art museum. Located in a 43,000 square foot space in the capital city of Jakarta, the museum showcases works by local artists Harsono, Nyoman Masriadi, and Heri Dono, as well as creations by internationally renowned artists Mark Rothko, Keith Haring, and Ai Weiwei. Despite its relatively short exhibition history, the museum’s impressive collection demonstrates its ability to establish itself as a prominent art institution on the international stage!
Image source: Taipei Fine Arts Museum, National Gallery Singapore, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Mori Art Museum, Museum MACAN
