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RGANIZER
FOUNDER AND DIRECTORS
FAIR ORGANIZER: ART & ANTIQUE INTERNATIONAL FAIR LTD
Hong Kong is the natural, historical centre of the art market in Asia. Yet until recently it lacked its own international art fair. Art and Antique International Fair Limited (AAIF) is a company that was founded by local Hong Kong art experts and aficionados to rectify this omission: to provide a vibrant new platform in Hong Kong for the art world in Asia and worldwide. A territory that values its own culture and heritage, Hong Kong is also the gateway to China, which has recently emerged as one of the world's largest markets for arts and antiques. Its geographically central location also makes it easily accessible to the many collectors and dealers from Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Hong Kong has the advantage of being a free port, making it easy to import and export artworks without restrictions. There is no sales tax on art. Thanks to its ideal infrastructure, over the past decade Hong Kong has risen to become one of the three most important art auction centres in the world, along with New York and London. AAIF has so far organized three art fairs in 2006/07. Featuring exciting local and international galleries, they have provided an opportunity to show artworks of the highest quality to collectors, dealers and the general public. AAIF aims both to showcase high quality Asian art to a worldwide audience, and act as a bridge for international galleries who wish to introduce their artists to Asia. The fairs have all been timed to coincide with the bi-annual series of Asian art auctions organized by the world's leading auction houses, Christie's and Sotheby's. Experience has shown that this timing is crucial in attracting international dealers, collectors and art lovers to the fair. An academic programme of symposiums led by leading artists and art experts from Hong Kong and overseas, is an important element of each fair. AAIF also works closely with the Fine Arts Department and Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong; parts of the fair proceeds have been donated towards nurturing the future generation of art practitioners and professionals in Hong Kong. With local expertise and long-term faith in Hong Kong as the centre of the art market in Asia, AAIF is committed to making its fair the annual art event in Hong Kong's cultural calendar. * See following page
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