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Swire Properties Dialogue Series

The Swire Properties Dialogue Series reconvenes to Art Basel Hong Kong in 2026 with a lively programme of panel discussions and artist talks. Presented in collaboration with the Financial Times and FTChinese.com, the series brings together leading voices from museums, creative industries and the art market. Topics range from storytelling in public space, new museum models and multidisciplinary practice to cultural placemaking, shifts in the Asian art market, and the impact of technology on creative production.

Join us from 25–27 March 2026 at the Swire Properties VIP Lounge, Level 1 Concourse, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

Capacity is limited and access to the Swire Properties Dialogue Series is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission to the Lounge requires a valid Art Basel ticket corresponding to the relevant time slot. 

Talk 1 : Storytelling in Public Spaces
Moderator: Tim Marlow OBE, CEO and Director of Design Museum
Speaker: Mami Kataoka, Director, Mori Art Museum
Hirokazu Tokuyama, Senior Curator, Mori Art Museum

Public art is a vital tool for placemaking, cultural branding, and community-building. This talk examines the context of public space in different cities. What are the challenges? Does it affect the community’s engagement? How does public art retain its original purpose and objective?

 

Talk 2 : Curating without Borders
Moderator: Tim Marlow OBE, CEO and Director of Design Museum
Speaker: Reuben Keehan, Artistic Director, Kontempo - Centre for Contemporary Art, Philippines
Valerie Wang, Director of Zhi Art Museum, Chengdu
Victor Wang, Director of Artspace, Sydney

The reinvention of the public institution has never been more pertinent. The talk examines inter-institutional collaborations to stay relevant. How are institutions actively broadening the canon, being more inclusive, and educating the public? How are museum programmes evolving with the times? 

Talk 3 : Beyond the Canvas: Multidisciplinary Arts
Moderator: Simon Groom, Director, International & National Partnerships, National Galleries of Scotland
Speaker: Coco Capitán, Contemporary Artist
KongKee, Visual Artist and Animation Director
Jiang Qiong Er, ‘Universal Art’ Artist, Designer, Shang Xia Co-founder

Art practitioners are moving seamlessly between various disciplines –from painting to photography, fashion to phygital, and installations to immersive experiences. This talk explores how this hybrid approach is a powerful engine for creating more impactful dialogue. How do artists demonstrate that art is a shared dynamic experience?

 

Talk 4 : Cultural Placemaking
Moderator: Chris Law, Founding Director of the Oval Partnership
Speaker: Felix Kwok, Chief Creative Officer & Deputy Director, Shenzhen Bay Culture Square 
Elaine Bedell OBE, CEO of Southbank Centre, London 
Shaw Shu, Executive Director of He Art Museum, Guangdong

Cultural placemaking is about adopting a holistic perspective combining arts, culture, heritage, and community. This talk explores how all these elements strengthen the sense of place. What are some examples of vibrant destinations? How are these venues allowing for more experimental programming?

 

Talk 5 : FTChinese Presents: Enduring Value: Long Cycles and the Search for “Golden” Assets
Moderator: Tracy Zhang, Publisher, FTChinese.com
Speaker: Shana Wu, Executive Director, Art Market Research Centre; Co-founder, WD Art Space
Gao Shi Yu, Deputy Director and Researcher, START Museum
Elaine Kwok, Independent Art Consultant, and Licensed Auctioneer

The Asian art market is entering a more cautious phase, with collectors continuing to prioritise scarce, high-quality works. As new artists emerge, how is the criteria for identifying true ‘gold-standard’ assets evolving?

 

Talk 6 : The Creative Industry in the Age of Technology
Moderator: Professor Tobias Klein, Associate Dean, School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong
Speaker: Henry Chu, Tech Artist 
Emi Kusano, Multidisciplinary Artist 
Vakki, Contemporary Visual Artist

Today, tools can design buildings, paint portraits, and compose symphonies. This panel explores how artists are using technology to unlock creative forms of expressions. In their storytelling process, how do they reconcile human tradition with technological innovation?