What kind of model could pose nude in a gallery 24-hours-a-day? Answer: The fake kind. Welcome to Art Basel, one of Asia's (if not the world's) biggest art fairs, which opened this week with the eerily lifelike sculpture of a naked woman by Australian artist Sam Jinks.
Sam Jinks —
What kind of model could pose nude in a gallery 24-hours-a-day? Answer: The fake kind. Welcome to Art Basel, one of Asia's (if not the world's) biggest art fairs, which opened this week with the eerily lifelike sculpture of a naked woman by Australian artist Sam Jinks.
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It wasn't the only mind-bending artwork on show at the three-day fair. Here, a visitor inspects American artist John Baldessari's "Beethoven's Trumpet (With Ear) Opus # 133."
John Baldessari —
It wasn't the only mind-bending artwork on show at the three-day fair. Here, a visitor inspects American artist John Baldessari's "Beethoven's Trumpet (With Ear) Opus # 133."
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And sometimes works were even more real than they appeared. Actual butterflies were used in this collage by British artist Damien Hirst, called "Papilio Ulysses."
Damien Hirst —
And sometimes works were even more real than they appeared. Actual butterflies were used in this collage by British artist Damien Hirst, called "Papilio Ulysses."
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If you're looking for a confidence boost, Indian artist Anish Kapoor's warped mirror probably isn't one for the home bathroom.
Anish Kapoor —
If you're looking for a confidence boost, Indian artist Anish Kapoor's warped mirror probably isn't one for the home bathroom.
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German performance artist, Nezaket Ekici, uses lipstick kisses to create an artwork during the launch.
Nezaket Ekici —
German performance artist, Nezaket Ekici, uses lipstick kisses to create an artwork during the launch.
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The lines between reality and make-believe are blurred in Kim Myeongbeom's sculpture of a taxidermied deer sprouting tree branches.
Kim Myeongbeom —
The lines between reality and make-believe are blurred in Kim Myeongbeom's sculpture of a taxidermied deer sprouting tree branches.
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Japanese artist Shintaro Miyake draws a sketch as part of his "Excursions in Asia" series.
Shintaro Miyake —
Japanese artist Shintaro Miyake draws a sketch as part of his "Excursions in Asia" series.
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American vaudeville actor Buster Keaton is immortalized in this playful statue by artist Jeff Koons.
Jeff Koons —
American vaudeville actor Buster Keaton is immortalized in this playful statue by artist Jeff Koons.
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Those wanting to take a load off had better look elsewhere than artist Zhou Jie's spiky chairs, sardonically titled "Wonderful Plan."
Zhou Jie —
Those wanting to take a load off had better look elsewhere than artist Zhou Jie's spiky chairs, sardonically titled "Wonderful Plan."
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Outside of the fair, Hong Kong city is dotted with fantastical works. Here, Richard Wilson's replica bus teeters on the edge of the Peninsula Hotel. The sculpture is called "Hang on a Minute Lads; I've Got a Great Idea."
Richard Wilson —
Outside of the fair, Hong Kong city is dotted with fantastical works. Here, Richard Wilson's replica bus teeters on the edge of the Peninsula Hotel. The sculpture is called "Hang on a Minute Lads; I've Got a Great Idea."
Lucas Schifres/Getty Images/File
The city's restaurants and bars have also been inspired by Art Basel, creating cocktails served in Andy Warhol-esque soup cans.
Creative cocktails —
The city's restaurants and bars have also been inspired by Art Basel, creating cocktails served in Andy Warhol-esque soup cans.
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It's far from the only exhibition in town, with many galleries riding on the success of Art Basel. Artist Zhu Jinshi's "Boat" is 18-meters long, 7-meters high, composed over 12,000 sheets of rice paper, and on show at Hong Kong's Exchange Square.<br />
Xhu Jinshi —
It's far from the only exhibition in town, with many galleries riding on the success of Art Basel. Artist Zhu Jinshi's "Boat" is 18-meters long, 7-meters high, composed over 12,000 sheets of rice paper, and on show at Hong Kong's Exchange Square.
Keith Tsuji/Getty Images/File