M+ Museum by Herzog & de Meuron Set to Open in Hong Kong This November

M+, the first global museum of contemporary visual culture in Asia, is set to open in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District on Friday, 12 November 2021. Designed by renowned architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron in partnership with TFP Farrells and ARUP, the 65,000-square-metre M+ building is among Hong Kong’s most iconic landmarks. Its monumental terracotta tile-clad tower, featuring a dynamic LED system on the south facade for the display of M+ content, defines the museum’s place within the urban landscape and contributes to the city’s vibrant night-time environment. The Found Space, M+’s signature display space for major installations, is a striking setting at the B2 level defined by the alignment of the underground rail tunnels above which the M+ building sits.

The museum will host an official opening ceremony and a media tour on Thursday, 11 November 2021, to unveil the opening displays of its pre-eminent collections of visual art, design and architecture, and moving image from Hong Kong, Greater China, Asia, and beyond. Around 1,500 works drawn from the M+ Collections will be presented in the 17,000-square-metre exhibition space that spans thirty-three galleries and other display spaces in the museum.

The museum’s opening displays will include six thematic exhibitions drawn from different areas of strength in the M+ Collections, featuring visual artworks, moving image works, design objects, architectural projects and archival items from M+ Collections, which the museum has been building since 2012. The thematic exhibitions will showcase the museum’s focus on contemporary art and culture in Asia, reflecting the region’s diverse cultural landscapes.

In addition to the main exhibition galleries, M+ will present a series of commissions and displays throughout its public spaces, including the M+ Facade, the Grand Stair, the Studio, the Roof Garden, and the Found Space. Visitors will enjoy the one-of-a-kind dynamic experience in the M+ building, which features amenities including two museum shops, restaurants, and the Roof Garden, which commands spectacular views of Hong Kong’s historic skyline. Among them, The Other Shop and CURATOR Creative Café at M+ located at the B1 level of the building are already open to the public.

To celebrate the launch of the museum, a special celebratory programme of live performances, talks, tours, workshops, screenings, and online events will run across three weekends following the museum opening. This programme is a testament to the museum’s commitment to engaging with the community and the wider public, providing a platform for dialogue and exchange around contemporary visual culture.

M+ is an ambitious project that brings together diverse collections of contemporary visual culture from Asia and beyond. The museum’s opening marks a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s cultural landscape, demonstrating the city’s commitment to supporting and promoting contemporary art and culture. As a global museum, M+ is poised to make a significant contribution to the global dialogue around contemporary visual culture, fostering new perspectives and ideas through its diverse collections and programmes.

Cover photo: ©Virgile Simon Bertrand - Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron