China is furious - Art Basel will not (maybe) engage in censorship in HK

Dear

China is enraged by Galschiøt's EU exhibition in Parliament. They have issued an almost North Korean-style tirade against the EU Parliament for hosting a disgraceful engagement in Brussels, condemning everything and everyone. In a surprising twist, they have revealed a quote “The lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, such as the freedom of speech, press and association, have been better protected in a safer environment” - who would have guessed it?

Will Art Basel challenge China's art censorship at their fair in Hong Kong? In an email correspondence with the EU Parliament, Art Basel hints that, as one of the major art players in Hong Kong, they will commit to expanding the art ecosystem. We interpret this as a refusal to participate in art censorship and eagerly await further clarification.

All relevant documents in these two cases can be found below,

Best regards,

Jens Galschiøt And

Kira Marie Peter-Hansen /MEP)

Contact:

Jens Galschiøt , mobil +45 40447058, aidoh@aidoh.dk

Kira Marie Peter-Hansen ,
MEP in European Parliament, SF in the Greens/EFA +32 (0) 2 284 5684, kira.peter-hansen@europarl.europa.eu

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Embassy of China in Belgium

Fra: chinaemb_bel@mfa.gov.cn
Sendt: 1. marts 2024 11:54
Til: PETER-HANSEN Kira Marie
Emne: Re: Invitation for a debate at the EU Parliament on March 19th and 20th, Political Art Censorship in China and Hong Kong

Dear Ms. Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Mr. Jens Galschiøt,

Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the Chinese Government has fully, faithfully and resolutely implemented the principles of One Country, Two Systems and Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. One Country, Two Systems has been a success in Hong Kong, which is widely recognized. With the implementation of the National Security Law, the rule of law and business environment in Hong Kong has been improved, and the society more stable and united. Hong Kong has moved toward greater stability and prosperity with stronger vigor and vitality. The lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, such as the freedom of speech, press and association, have been better protected in a safer environment.

Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs, which brooks no external interference. China remains firmly resolved in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing One Country, Two Systems, and in opposing interference in Hong Kong affairs by any external forces. The so-called exhibition and debate are nothing but political maneuvering to grossly interfere in China’s domestic affairs under the pretext of democracy and human rights. The Chinese Embassy thus expresses its firm opposition and condemnation.

If someone truly cares about democracy and human rights, he/she will not turn a blind eye to the riots and violence happened in Hong Kong, will not fete those who are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong, and will not gnash teeth about Hong Kong restoring order. We urge the relevant people to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, and do more things that will contribute to mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the EU.

Embassy of China in Belgium

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Art Basel – E-mail correspondence

07-03-2024 12:50

Dear Art Basel,

Thank you very much for your response. Needless to say, we are disappointed that you cannot participate in this debate.

We have a concept of leaving empty chairs at the meeting for those, who have been invited but cannot or will not attend. We will place an "Empty Chair" at the Art Basel meeting and disclose to the attendees your reasons for not being able to participate.

We appreciate that you believe we have assembled a relevant panel and welcome discussions on continuing to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an art market hub. However, we would like to correct one point: we are concerned about how the Hong Kong art market is developing, as we believe it is not strengthened but rather weakened by extensive self-censorship in the art market.

We agree that Art Basel is a very important and active member of the Hong Kong art community. It sounds fantastic if Art Basel is committed to continuing to promote international cultural exchange in the city and delivering a successful event for galleries, artists, collectors, partners, and the broader arts ecosystem.

Does this commitment mean that Art Basel can declare that they will not participate in or contribute to the censorship of China-critical art at their upcoming exhibition in Hong Kong, and that they will publicly announce this position? This would be an important signal to send to participants at Art Basel Hong Kong, ensuring that no galleries or other participants in Art Basel feel compelled to self-censor China-critical artworks.

We would greatly appreciate reading out such a statement at our meeting in the EU Parliament.

Best regards,

Kira Marie Peter-Hansen and co-organizer Jens Galschiøt

From: press@artbasel.com
Sent: 06 March 2024 14:14
To: PETER-HANSEN Kira Marie ; info@messe
Subject: Re: Invitation for a debate at the EU Parliament on March 20th from 11:00 to 13:00, Political Art Censorship in China and Hong Kong

Dear Kira Marie,

We trust this message finds you well.

Thank you for the invitation to participate in the upcoming panel discussion about Hong Kong's art market.

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we must decline the invitation. The proximity of the upcoming edition of Art Basel Hong Kong, taking place from March 28 to 30, 2024, demands our team's full attention and engagement and on-site presence in the lead-up.

We appreciate to be considered for this relevant panel and welcome discussions on continuing to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an art market hub. As an active member of the Hong Kong art community, we are committed to continuing to promote international cultural exchange in the city and delivering a successful event for galleries, artists, collectors, partners, and the broader arts ecosystem.

We wish you a successful panel and hope that it sparks insightful and constructive discussions.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Isabelle Becker

Communications Associate, Art Basel

From: PETER-HANSEN Kira Marie <kira.peter-hansen@europarl.europa.eu>
Sent: 21 February 2024 2:07 PM
To: info@messe <info@mch-group.com>; press@artbasel.com <press@artbasel.com>
Subject: Invitation for a debate at the EU Parliament on March 20th from 11:00 to 13:00, Political Art Censorship in China and Hong Kong

Dear Art Basel,

We are pleased to invite you for a debate at the EU Parliament on March 20th, from 11:00 to 13:00.

The discussion will focus on art censorship in Hong Kong, and we will be addressing the responsibility of Western companies operating in Hong Kong.

We have invited a diverse panel, including art critics, artists, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), market experts, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to contribute their perspectives, and we believe your input is crucial to getting the full understanding and to comprehend the dilemmas faced by the art market.

You will find a full programme and an official invitation letter attached.

I hereby, invite you to register participating by clicking on this REGISTRATION EP . You will need to submit your registration and be accredited by the European Parliament in order to enter the buildings on the days of the event.

Thank you very much for considering this invitation. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

Kira Marie Peter-Hansen
MEP in European Parliament, SF in the Greens/EFA

+32 (0) 2 284 5684
ASP 09G154, 60 Rue Wiertz B-1047 Bruxelles, Belgium

Contact List –

We are available for interviews and additional information.

Jens Galschiøt (artist behind Pillar of Shame and this exhibition)
aidoh@aidoh.dk - ph +45 4044 7058 / +45 66184058
MEP Kira Marie Peter-Hansen. (Member of EU Parliament, Host of the exhibition)
kira.peter-hansen@europarl.europa.eu ph. +40 2618 8749
Loretta Lau (Curator on exhibition. Director of NGO Dei)
loretta.lau@ngodei.org - ph +44 7923 951278
Dr. Eric Wear, former HK President of Int.nat. Association of Art Critics (AICA), ericottowear@mac.com
Samuel M Chu (moderator on Censorship debate), Campaign for Hong Kong samuel@hkcampaign.org Phone +1 626 589 1330

Background documents:

Behind this event, there is extensive groundwork and analyses concerning the art market and assessments of the possibilities to influence the art market to take responsibility.

Links and info

Art Market in Hong Kong and appeal to Art Basel and galleries.- Analysis
by Dr. Eric Wear, former HK President of Internat Association of Art Critics (AICA).
Column about Auctions Houses responsabilities iin Hong Kong.
By Artist Jens Galschiøt and MEP Kira Peter-Hansen.
Analysis of Hong Kongs Art Markets Vulnerability and CRS Art Market Analysis
by artist Jens Galschiøt

Participants in exhibition & debates

Confirmed Participants
For Chinas Ambassador - Contact
For Art Basel Art Fair - Contact
For Christies Auction House - Contact
For Bonmans Auction House - Contact
For Sotherby Auction House - Contact
For Phillips Auction House - Contact

Portrait of sculptor Jens Galschiøt (PDF)

Contact Jens Galschiot: E-mail: aidoh@aidoh.dk, Internet: www.aidoh.dk, tel. +45 6618 4058, Banevaenget 22, DK-5270 Odense N

Here is a quick teaser

Here is a teaser about the groundbreaking event we are hosting in the EU Parliament between March 19th and 21st, 2024.

EU Parliamentarian Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (Greens) is hosting this controversial China event in Brussels, supported by members from virtually all groups.

What happens:

We display the sculpture ‘The Pillar of Shame’, China's No. 1 object of hate, in front of the parliament.
We display a large outdoor exhibition featuring China-critical artworks banned by China.
Debates inside the parliament focusing on two critical issues: (more info + registration for debates )
- 1. China's abuses against its own population and the persecution of those who have fled to the West, including offering million-dollar bounties for selected dissidents.
- 2. Western-owned art auction houses' responsibility in assisting China in imposing extensive art censorship in Hong Kong. We ask: Can we accept them acting as collaborators in a totalitarian Chinese assault on human rights in Hong Kong?

We have invited debaters, experts, dissidents, and artists from around the world to participate in discussions, providing unique personal insights into the situation. We have also invited China's ambassadors in Denmark and Belgium to join the debate

We have sent invitations to the most powerful art houses with branches in Hong Kong, inviting them to a meeting in parliament to explain their stance on taking social responsibility in the countries where they operate (CSR).

With EU debates, we spark the discussion on the Western art market's complicity in undermining freedom of speech and human rights in Hong Kong. Can the auction houses withstand continuing their political art censorship in Hong Kong, or will pressure force them to adhere to Western values and refuse to participate in political art censorship in Hong Kong?

We demand that they actively use their economic influence in the fight against art censorship; for the sake of their artists, themselves, and to champion Hong Kong's basic right to freedom of speech.

What makes Hong Kong's art market unique is that the world's largest Western auction houses completely dominate and set the tone in this market. This dominance is economically advantageous, but it also has a significant downside if they acquiesce and participate in China's attempts to impose art censorship and severe restrictions on freedom of expression.

We hold them accountable for aiding China in imposing the rules of totalitarian rule in the city, directly contradicting the values one would expect from a Western-owned company (CSR). If the companies refuse to stand against art censorship, they will be very vulnerable to a PR disaster. A disaster that will be greatly amplified by the unique character of the art world as a conveyer of image-building products

The possibility of a Collapse in the Art Market: The Art houses face serious problems if China deploys the police and legal system to assert that Hong Kong is part of China and that Hong Kong must abide by Chinas rules. If Hong Kong ends up issuing a direct ban on selling, exhibiting, and promoting China-critical art, the conflict may escalate to the point where the international art market may have to cease all activities in the city and move the entire art market to another country. A collapse in one of the most crucial financial markets in Asia may become a reality. Part of this scenario is already a reality today, as subversive activities abroad (e.g. China critical art exhibition in Europe) can be punished in Hong Kong See elaboration Eric Wear (AICAs) explanation on this

Staying and imposing China's censorship cannot be an option for Western companies that thrive on providing cultural capital and image enhancement for their clients.

The EU event is just the starting point. We may be optimistic in believing that good will prevail, and we know it can be an uphill battle. Therefore, we will work to exert global pressure on auction houses to make them refuse to participate in censorship of speech and art in Hong Kong. There are many, dedicated people, that are concerned to see China’s totalitarian system gaining significant influence in the world. We plan to engage these good people to put spotlight on censorship of art and freedom of speech. Some of these people will also participate in the debates in the EU Parliament.

It has succeeded before in stopping and influencing the art industry. Recent examples include:

- Mayer Brown law firm faced such severe criticism that they had to withdraw from Hong Kong for assisting China in removing "The Pillar of Shame" from universities. US Congress hearing about Mayer Brown with Samuel Chu (2021)

- Another example could be Nan Goldin (USA) and other artists' actions to persuade museums to reject sponsorships from the Sackler family, whose pharmaceutical companies were implicated in the opioid crisis in the USA.

It might be naive, and we may not stand a chance, but we are taking it.

Best regards,

Jens Galschiøt, the artist behind "The Pillar of Shame"

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Galschiøt Sculptures around the world

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Take a Virtual tour around Galschiøt's Gallery with Google Street View

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About Jens Galschiøt

Danish artist Jens Galschiøt has created many socio-critical sculptures and installations through the years. Most often they are placed in public spaces around the world – as needle-sticks and silent reminders of a world that, in his opinion, is out of balance, and where exploitation of the world’s resources, inequality and migration are a constant part of the picture.

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