Local Cultures – Global Spaces

Abstract

This study delves into the complex intersection of art, urban development, and economic dynamics, using Fo Tan, an industrial district in Hong Kong, as a case study. We investigate how local artists and the evolution of art have influenced the transformation of Fo Tan industrial area, fostering the rise of open studio exhibition models, and impacting industrial space utilization and property prices. In this context, the study examines the implications of the burgeoning global art market, the emergence of digital art forms and blockchain-based art assets, and the government’s promotion of arts and culture on the local grassroots artists’ urban and spatial challenges in sustaining their workspaces amidst rising property prices. This research employs a historical analysis of Hong Kong’s urban and art policy development, tracing its evolution from the British colonial era to the present, to comprehend how key historical events have sculpted Fo Tan’s creative landscape. Through interviews with artists at Fotanian Open Studio events and those currently active in Fo Tan, the study gathers insights into how deindustrialization has been harnessed to repurpose industrial spaces into artistic creation clusters. As government attention increases, the study also scrutinizes how Fo Tan is positioned within the larger schema of Hong Kong’s economic restructuring process. The findings reveal the complex interplay between the global art market, local government policies, and artists in the transformation of Fo Tan. We analyze the impact and changes brought by the open studio format in the Hong Kong arts scene and discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by Fo Tan’s potential future transition to a residential district. This research offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between global art trends, urban development, and economic pressures using Fo Tan as a microcosm of broader transformations in Hong Kong. By highlighting the challenges and opportuni