The "Next Asian Art Hub" May Be the Wrong Question

"In both places, there was a sense of energy building that was not yet fully visible. The experiences made me realize that, while sales totals and fair brands can serve as benchmarks of centrality, slower, structural transformations are taking place throughout Asia that merit closer attention."

"Both Bangkok and Hanoi are in a critical yet still undefined phase. They are no longer isolated scenes, but they do not yet have fully formed art ecosystems. They are not quite hubs, but they are no longer peripheral."

"Interestingly, private initiatives are leading the charge in both places. In Bangkok, change has been a gradual, cumulative process, marked by experimentation, which may help make it sustainable for the long haul."

Bangkok and Hanoi are evolving into significant art scenes, marked by private initiatives and a growing sense of energy. Dib Bangkok, a new private museum, exemplifies this shift, attracting both locals and international visitors. The recent exhibition in Hanoi at the Vietnam Art Collection also drew a diverse crowd. While these cities are not yet fully developed art ecosystems, they are moving beyond isolation and are increasingly recognized in the Asian art landscape, suggesting a gradual transformation in the region's art dynamics.

Read at Artnet News