Basel X Hong Kong
Imagine if Basel and Hong Kong were two people meeting for the first time. What would they talk about? Where would they find points of intersection? How do they get to know each other better?
what is PF25 cultural projects?
PF25 is a Basel-based research initiative which aims to build mutual understanding, to develop an intercultural network and to create active synergies through meaningful, on-the-ground cultural exchanges generated by research with a focus on Hong Kong and Basel - and extending to other regions of Switzerland - in order to expand a wider spectrum of imagination and to explore more diverse possibilities of living for the future.
We identify significant characteristics and instigate curious reflections and deeper observations of everyday life aspects including: customs, foods, languages, relationships, borders and ecologies in a non-comparative approach. Engaging different groups and communities, experiences and ideas are gathered and shared through various platforms including workshops, talks, concerts, screenings, performance, exhibitions, field trips and publications. This allows us not only to foster cultural dialogues and deepen understanding between the two city-regions, it also evokes diverse stories that bring together wider perspectives to reflect on our own cities.
We hope our projects will enable us to contribute a small part to the city
development and archives of the two cities.
collected stories
ongoing projects from 2018 - 2020
2018 projects / events + contributors
Jan 14-18
Hong Kong writer Vivienne Chow introduction to Basel & research studies in Basel – ‘On Women’
Jeannine Appel + Vivienne Chow x Angelika Li
Jun 9-19
Hong Kong x Tokyo x Basel Art Ecology Observations
Rika Fujiki & Yukiko Kakiuchi x Angelika Li & Donald Mak
Jun 10–19
Hong Kong writer Vivienne Chow research studies in Basel – ‘On Women’
Jun 17
Project Launch Events of PF25 + introduction of the current research and contributors
Rika Fujiki & Yukiko Kakiuchi + Vivienne Chow + Angelika Li & Donald Mak
Jun 25 - 26
Hong Kong artist Kingsley Ng - introduction to Basel
July 1 – 3
Hong Kong artist Warren Leung - introduction to Basel
Aug 30 – Sep 1
Polish artist Marysia Lewandowska research study in Basel
Sep 10-17
Hong Kong writer Vennes Cheng - introduction to Basel
Oct 30
‘Herbstmesse – The Autumn Fair in Basel’ – Photo Documentation by Maris Merzulis
Dec 1
‘Hello Hong Kong’ – a Hong Kong handsewn bag project invited by Simonett and Baer Galerie, Basel featuring works by upcyclying expert and designer-maker Ken Hung from Hong Kong
Dino Simonett & Martina Baer x Angelika & Ken Hung
Dec 1
‘Hong Kong Album’ – an exhibition of Hong Kong photos by Hedy Leung, curated by Angelika Li at Simonett & Baer Galerie, Basel
Hedy Leung x Dino Simonett & Martina Baer x Angelika Li
2019 projects / events + contributors
Jan 25
‘Food Cultures – HONG KONG x BASEL’ by Donald Mak: Looking at the hotpot traditions of the two cities
Chantal Konrad x Angelika Li & Donald Mak
Jan 30 –Feb 5
Hong Kong curator Kwok Ying and architect Hong Wong - introduction to Basel
Mar 11-14
‘Fasnacht Basel’ (the Basel carnival) – interview and case study of Schonooggerkerzli Clique
Benedikt Vonder Mühll of Schonooggerkerzli Clique
Mar 12
Monocle Daily Radio Interview with Angelika Li on the cultural heritage of the Basel carnival
Mar 3 – 7
‘Crossing Oceans – MAP Office’ research at PF25 and presentation of the artist duo MAP Office’s practice on Mar 5
MAP Office
Mar 6
Presentation of MAP Office at Herzog & de Meuron
April 8
Studio Visit and Conversations with Hong Kong artist Hanison Lau on ‘24 Solar Terms’
Hanison Lau x Angelika Li & Donald Mak
May 5
‘Food Cultures – BASEL x HONG KONG’ by Chantal Konrad on Spargel
Jun 22–24
Yan Yung of Coutou Woodworking Studio and Garfield Chan introduction to Basel and Basel-Land through nature walks
2020 projects / events + contributors
Jan 23
‘Food Cultures – HONG KONG x BASEL’ on Lunar New Year traditional cakes making
Queenie Lee
Feb 28
Fasnacht Mask-making workshop
The Appel Family
Feb 28
Fasnacht Tour in the Old Town and the lower Pfeffergässlein by Robbie Appel
Jun 30
Post-performance interview with Thomas Keller and Balthasar Streif of Alphorn group Alponom
contributors / credits
Jeannine, Robert and Alain Appel
Martina Baer
Agathe Chenaux-Repond
Bouie Choi
Vivienne Chow
Vennes Cheng
Rika Fujiki
May Fung
South Ho
Ken Hung
Yukiko Kakiuchi
Thomas Keller
Chantal Konrad
Hanison Lau
Queenie Lee
Hedy Leung
Martin Loppacher
Marysia Lewandowska
Ying Kwok
Leung Chi Wo
MAP Office
Maris Mezulis
Benedikt Vonder Mühll
Dino Simonett
Irène Speiser
Balthasar Streif
Oliver Trueb
Hong Wong
Yan Yung
partner organisations
Art & Culture Outreach ACO, Hong Kong
culture matters beyond borders, Hong Kong
Coutou Wood Working, Hong Kong
過海的‧藝術計劃 CHT.ArtProject, Hong Kong
Simonett & Baer Galerie, Basel
Zit-Dim Art Space, Tainan
our board
PF25 is a Basel-based research initiative co-founded by Angelika Li and Donald Mak across Hong Kong and Basel in 2018. In 2020, PF25 established its status as a “Verein” (a non-profit organisation) in Switzerland, and warmly welcomed Ursula Hürzeler on board.
Angelika Li
co-founder & president
Ursula Hürzeler
vice-president
Donald Mak
co-founder, secretary & treasurer
PF25 site histories
PF25 is located in Spalenhof at Spalenberg 12 and Pfeffergässlein 25, which is a site of significant cultural, historical and architectural importance at the heart of the old town of Basel.
With its partial Romanesque foundation laid in the 13th century, Spalenhof tells many valued Basel stories: from the earthquake in 1356 to the chivalric legend Knight Heinrich von Ramstein who resided here in 1437. Another owner of the house was Bürgermeister (mayor) of Basel Kaspar Krug who met with Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Empire in 1563. It then turned into a merchant’s house owned by businessman Isaak Dreyfuss in 1835, one of the first Jews to settle in Basel.
The painting of Justitia in the late Renaissance style commissioned by Krug in the 16th century resurfaced on the courtyard facade during a conversion of the building in 1964.
The building was sold to the City of Basel in 1956. Theater Fauteuil opened in 1957, Tabourettli in 1971 and the 16th century embellishments under gypsum walls and plaster ceilings by Krug were unearthed in the Kaisersaal (Emperor's Room) in 1979. Does it relate to the meeting between Krug and Ferdinand I?
In 1986, Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava worked on the overall renovation of the house including the structural conservation and custom furniture. It was one of earliest architectural commissions in his career. The theatre reopened its door in 1989 and has become as a leading performing arts venue in Switzerland.
These form part of the historic and architectural features of the PF25 site.
A research on the history of the building is in progress. Please reach out to our team if you have information or leads to any history, story, conservation work back from the 1960's.
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