Here are four destinations that have blended tradition with innovation to become contemporary art hubs.
TOKYO, JAPAN
With its seemingly uncountable art galleries and chances to admire art at every turn, Tokyo is without a doubt a city for art lovers. The city lays claim to the first and largest contemporary art fair in Asia, Art Fair Tokyo, held in March each year. For a chance to discover the galleries and street art of this metropolis, take a one-day Tokyo Art Scene tour and discover some new perspectives to feed the soul.
For those keen on improving their photography skills as well as taking in the sights of the city, take a half-day Urban Tokyo Photography Workshop Built around the principles of ‘kaizen’ (the Japanese term for the continuous quest for perfection) the tour will cover the fundamentals of photography from an expert, with tips and hints on how to snap the best images and explore hidden corners of the city.
YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
The city of Yogyakarta (also known as ‘Jogja’) on the Indonesian island of Java has long been a creative hub – and more recently the city has evolved as a hotspot for contemporary Indonesian art. The city has a bewildering amount of galleries and art spaces to explore; visitors can pick up a free ‘Yogyakarta Contemporary Art Map’ to help navigate around them. A great time to visit is during the annual contemporary art event ART JOG, when many of the studios open up and events and exhibitions take place at the major art institutions. For those with just a day to explore, take a tour to visit some handpicked galleries and art spaces, and spend time with an artist and sculptor, learning more about the artworks through the artists themselves.
GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA
The George Town Festival in Penang, Malaysia, was first started to celebrate the town’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and had a focus on local arts, culture and heritage. The city’s lack of performance spaces gave birth to some creative venues, cleverly utilising its prewar shophouses, heritage homes and streets, thereby showcasing the city’s heritage architecture. The festival now incorporates photography and performance art as well as traditional arts and has grown to become a major Asian art event.
Dive deep into Georgetown’s art scene on a full day experience, Where Nature Meets Art, for a look at lush art gardens as well as the city’s street art and beloved Hin Bus Depot, a community art space. Another enjoyable ways to see the city’s art scene is by trishaw, or ‘beca’. Take a Family Street Art Tour by Trishaw to discover paintings, sculptures and murals, including a visit to the 3D Trick Art Museum.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
Vietnamese art has thrived despite its turbulent history, and Ho Chi Minh City has a vibrant contemporary art scene. Be guided around the city’s best galleries on a half day Discover Saigon’s Art Scene experience. Look back at how local artists painted during resistance, revolution and reconstruction of the nation and learn how politics led to Vietnam’s 90’s art market boom. Then visit a collection of contemporary galleries, learning about the rapidly evolving modern arts scene and some of the leaders of the present-day movement.
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