For its 10th anniversary, the Asia Art Archive has a special logo that reads: 'Beyond Archive'. It says much about how the non-profit art outfit sees and positions itself - that it is more than just a static collection of material.
Indeed, in recent years the archive has acted as adviser to high-profile projects such as the Central Police Station revitalisation and the West Kowloon Cultural District development, prompting critics to ask whether the organisation has stepped outside of its neutral position 'to collect, preserve and make information on contemporary Asian art easily accessible in order to facilitate understanding, research and writing in the field'.
Its more versatile role is still a relatively novel concept that raises questions, acknowledges the archive's founder and executive director, Claire Hsu.
'A lot of people when they come to the archive they say, 'Is this based on a model that exists somewhere else? Is there an institution like this?' I have yet to find one that is like this,' says the 34-year-old art history graduate from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
'I think it's quite unique in the world and I think it is unique because it addresses a very specific situation in Asia. It addresses a very specific need.'
In Hong Kong, the landscape of the contemporary visual art field is about to undergo some drastic changes, thanks to projects such as the Central Police Station and West Kowloon that promise to provide more space and resources for the arts. The need for expertise in this area is greater than ever and the archive sees it has an important part to play in this development.