Hong Kong's arts funding body has been criticised for lacking transparency in its decision to partner with the West Kowloon museum to represent Hong Kong at next year's Venice Biennale without having an open competition.
While many applaud the change of direction and having a curator with an international network to take the lead, art critics and some members of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) have criticised the council for making the decision without proper consultation.
A group of nine local artists and curators - including artist Chow Chun-fai and curator Jeff Leung Chin-fung - yesterday launched an online petition. It calls the council a 'black box' and demands that it explain its 'arbitrary change of policy'.
The council said last month that it would collaborate with the West Kowloon arts hub's contemporary visual culture museum M+ for the 55th Venice Biennale.
M+ executive director Lars Nittve will be the lead curator, and award-winning local artist Lee Kit has been picked to represent the city at its pavilion at what is known as the art world's Olympics next summer.
The council has funds of HK$5 million for the event, and the amount will be doubled because M+ is providing another HK$5 million.
'I only learnt about the confirmation when I saw the press release,' said council member Ger Choi Tzs-kwan. She recalled discussions at council meetings but did not realise the decision had been made. Choi said some members were also asking why there had been no consultation or voting during or after meetings.