K11 Konversations

On this episode, a special panel discusses the rise of celebrity culture and its influence on fine art. K11 Konversations invites guest speakers Yuki Terase, former Sotheby’s Head of Contemporary Art, Asia,  Jazz Li, Enviseam founder and CEO, and SK Lam, founder of AllRightsReserved, the creative studio credited for bringing street culture giants such as KAWS to Hong Kong, to speak on the subject. This panel originally took place as part of an unprecedented auction preview collaboration between Sotheby’s and Jay Chou. What better way to dive into the heart of this trailblazing partnership than with a conversation on the role of art and celebrity in popular culture? Moderated by award-winning journalist and art critic Vivienne Chow, the guests discuss the rise of celebrity culture and its influence on fine art, Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame in the age of social media, and the anti-celebrity celebrity in the landscape of contemporary street art.

On this episode host Jian DeLeon speaks with stylist, director, and entrepreneur Beth Birkett. She’s worn a lot of hats during her decades-long career in street culture, working in music at Def Jam, styling for fellow directors like Kahlil Joseph, and is also the co-owner of UNION, the New York-born boutique that now has outposts in Los Angeles and Tokyo. Last year, she founded Bephies Beauty Supply, a lifestyle label influenced by beauty salon culture in the Black community, and a marketplace empowering entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. Beth discusses how she got her start, the importance of fostering community, and her longtime relationships with artists like Arthur Jafa, Karon Davis, and Shaniqwa Jarvis.

On this episode host Jian DeLeon speaks with architect and artist Daniel Arsham. You might know him through his crystallized Pokémon sculptures commemorating the 25th anniversary of the franchise, his collaborations with Dior, Rimowa, and Uniqlo, or any of his Future Relics — eroded plaster sculptures that resemble everyday objects ravaged by the sands of time. Just in time for Lunar New Year, Arsham and Archive Editions partner with K11 MUSEA to take on one of the occasion’s most prominent artifacts: The Red Packet. Representing thousands of years of Asian history, the practice of giving out red packets dates back as early as the Han Dynasty, where coin-filled envelopes were thought to wards off evil spirits and bring good fortune. That makes it the ideal object for Arsham to put his stamp on. Let’s check in with Daniel Arsham in his Brooklyn, New York studio.