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Arts & Communication Transnational mobility and art market centers

informed her decision to relocate to Hong Kong, including The international perspectives and expertise of such
an analysis of market trends and economic conditions. personalities help them to identify and fill gaps in the
“Europe had already been through 2 years of economic local art environment and contribute to the cultural and
recession and so definitely, both my husband and I had economic development of a city.
our eye on Asia,” Alvarez-Nichol explained. She conducted 7. Discussion: Hypermobile art
6 months of market research in both Singapore and
Hong Kong before making her decision. Her comparative professionals and the creation of global art
analysis highlighted the factors that influenced her choice. hubs
She noted: This study’s exploration of four case studies aimed to
When I went to Singapore, I found a lot of support reveal how the mobility of varied art professionals and
from the government… But despite the fact that you have other actors crucially enabled them to act in ways that
museums, galleries, and non-profits, all of these galleries helped these cities emerge as global art market centers. The
were empty. Therefore, for me, what was something very study focused on the choices and actions of hypermobile
organic in Hong Kong was lacking in Singapore (Interview art market players, specifically foot-voting, local scene-
with Adriana Alvarez-Nichol in 2016). making, and hub-city-making. In so doing, it offered
Alvarez-Nichol also asserted some key factors that insights into how individual decisions and subjective
convinced her to choose Hong Kong: experiences shape the geographic dynamics of the global
art market.
It was the size of the Chinese collector base, the
tax environment which is much more attractive The study’s examination of the strategic relocation of
in Hong Kong, and then what I think was really key art market actors and the underlying choices inducing
critical was when Art Basel acquired Art Hong their movements revealed foot-voting as a significant
Kong. And that, basically, left Singapore behind. It factor that can elucidate how individual mobility decisions
marked Hong Kong as the top place to buy art from influence the geography of the global art market. This
abroad and from that region for all the regional outcome is clearly illustrated in Hong Kong, where
collectors (Interview with Adriana Alvarez-Nichol hypermobile gallerists such as Adriana Alvarez-Nichol
in 2016). have strategically relocated to capitalize on the city’s

This decision underscores the notion of foot-voting: art favorable tax environment and burgeoning collector
professionals relocate to cities that offer favorable conditions base. Her decision was informed by market research and
and thus enhance the city’s reputation and market potential. economic conditions, which exemplifies how personal and
However, Alvarez-Nichol also actively contributed to the professional motivations drive the mobility of art market
development of the local gallery scene. Her role in founding players. Similarly, the choice of Istanbul by artists such as
the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association further illustrates Julie Upmeyer demonstrates the ways in which individuals
how hypermobile individuals contribute to scene-making assess the potential of emerging art scenes and how they
by identifying gaps and addressing them based on their can contribute to the development of such centers by
prior experiences. “I was shocked when I came here, to see physically relocating to these cities.
that there was no gallery association. Everywhere else, in These instances of foot-voting demonstrate that
any mature market, there is an association,” Alvarez-Nichol hypermobile individuals are pivotal to the identification
recalled. Her initiative in establishing the association was and shaping of new art market hubs. These examples also
driven by her need to foster a collaborative environment reveal that highly mobile professionals do not make their
among galleries and to encourage galleries to support the relocation decisions based purely on the rational perspective
long-term careers of artists:
generally emphasized in economic geography. Rather, their
It was to get together in order to get people interested decisions are deeply influenced by subjective impressions,
and be more aware about the important role that a personal conceptions of growth, and individual creative
gallery plays in terms of supporting the artist’s long- aspirations. The engagement of hypermobile artists with a
term career and allowing for a much more in-depth city is intertwined with the construction of their careers as
knowledge of the work that’s being presented they seek to expand their creative practices by exploring
(Interview with Adriana Alvarez-Nichol in 2016) new artistic landscapes. Decision-making entails a blend
Alvarez-Nichol’s experiences and initiatives in of uncertainty and subjectivity even for dealers, who must
Hong Kong illustrate the significant roles enacted by articulate personal constraints, aspirations, and business
hypermobile art professionals in shaping local art markets. strategies.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 9 doi: 10.36922/ac.3734