Art commentators call for Hong Kong to be more creative

Hong Kong

HONG Kong will see a creative surge as Art Basel comes to town, but there's a push for a more permanent change to the visual landscape of the city better known for its business hustle than its art scene.

Asia's largest art fair unveils its first preview on Tuesday and has boosted Hong Kong's artistic credentials since it first launched in the city four years ago.

A vibrant, wide-ranging "art week" of free exhibitions and events has grown up around the fair.

But for the rest of the year some feel the city puts too much emphasis on selling, rather than viewing, with the focus on commercial galleries rather than publicly accessible shows.

Hong Kong lacks a world-class art museum, and marquee exhibitio…