World's largest pop culture exhibition ComplexCon debuts in Asia for Hong Kong’s Art March

The pop culture exhibition ComplexCon came to a close on Sunday at AsiaWorld-Expo as its debut outside the US, with an influx of local and other Asian fashion designer brands and musicians.

The Asian debut was supported by the government’s HK$1.4 billion Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced in his policy address last October.

ComplexCon, as the world's largest trend festival, was first launched in Los Angeles in 2016, gathering urban culture and music artists, with past performers including Snoop Dogg, Selena Gomez and Offset.

“This exhibition used to be held in North America. I've had my eye on it for a long time, but never had the chance to attend,” said Tang Ziqi, 20, a trend culture enthusiast. He said he has been hooked on hip-hop, rap and fashion since he was in secondary school. 

"But today, I think ComplexCon has found a more suitable and Asian way to present its artistic effect in Hong Kong," Tang added. “You can see lots of trendy brands and designers from Hong Kong here, like my favourite Offgod, a 19-year-old teenage designer.”

ComplexCon consists of a bazaar selling trendy fashion items and a music festival with ticket prices ranging from HK$380 to HK$4,780.

Forty fashion brands and 12 artworks landed at the Hong Kong ComplexCon.

Asian brands took the vast majority, including Thug Club, a Korean street fashion brand, local brand Lakh and GrowthRing & Supply and Taiwanese brand Goopy Made.

Richard Chen Xiyun, a 19 year-old university student and also a fan of trendy sneakers,  said he was very pleased with the variety of booths at the marketplace, which filled up three showrooms. 

“The artworks in the marketplace are very distinctive, including some contemporary and conceptual appeal, which allows me to have a variety of experiences as a visitor,” he said. 

“I think the combination of shopping and pop culture fuels my desire to consume. And even some of the items have co-branded new releases, so you can queue up to buy them on spot without  price premium by hype,” Chen said after  buying a pair of Clot and Crocs co-branded shoes.

“I came for Clot because it's a brand run by Edison Chan Koon-hei, who is my favourite celebrity,” said Adrian Li Wenpeng, 20. “It’s sad that he was present yesterday, but didn't show up today.”

Numerous local and overseas celebrities and online bloggers attended the first day of the exhibition, including Japanese singer Hiroshi Fujiwara, American graffiti artist Futura and Taiwanese rapper Lou Junshuo.

“The fact that Hong Kong has been chosen to hold ComplexCon for the first time outside the United States shows that Hong Kong's status is irreplaceable,” Yeung Yun-hung, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism said on his facebook after visiting the exhibition on March 23.

“It also confirms Hong Kong's influence on art trends in his Asian neighbourhood,” Yeung added.

“It’s such a busy day, setting up the scene, meeting up all of the old friends and new friends,” said Chloe Chen Yanran, a mainland illustrator who joined the ComplexCon Hong Kong for the first time. 

She said the venue had a great atmosphere and was an ultimate treat for both the artists and the audience.

“My new work is much more popular than I expected,” Chloe Chen added. “Thank you all for coming, for supporting me and enjoying my work.”