M+ Hong Kong unveils dynamic 2026 programme, cementing position as international art powerhouse

M+ is set to cement its status as Asia’s global museum of contemporary visual culture with a dynamic 2026 programme that features major retrospectives, interactive family exhibitions, and immersive sound installations. Located in the heart of Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK), M+ is dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting visual culture in its broadest sense.

The museum is actively redefining the region’s and beyond’s cultural landscape, promising a lineup that expertly balances large-scale blockbusters with intimate, conceptual presentations. 

Headlining one of the most uniquely accessible and exciting experiences of the season is “Dial-A-Poem Hong Kong”. This is the latest edition of a groundbreaking project initiated in 1968 by the American poet John Giorno.

Giorno created the original project based on the idea that “much poetry is intended to be heard, not merely read”, seeking to integrate poetry into everyday life via a simple hotline.

The concept has evolved and expanded internationally, with versions in countries like France and Mexico showcasing works by local makers in their own languages. The Hong Kong edition, opening in April 2026, continues this vital legacy by commissioning approximately 30 newly recorded readings from local poets. These featured poets contribute works in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

seeing sound, hearing time

Running from February to July 2026, “Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time” honours Sakamoto’s expansive legacy. At its core is “async-immersion” (2023), a profound, large-scale sound installation created in collaboration with artist Shiro Takatani.

This work is a defining example of “installation music”, pairing Sakamoto’s deeply personal 2017 album, “async”, with a three-dimensional, visual representation of the sound in the gallery space. Exhibited as a site-specific installation, Takatani’s visual compositions of objects from Sakamoto’s studio — such as instruments, plants, and books — are presented on a large LED screen.

The images continuously evolve, creating a parallel time axis that is not synchronised with the music. The sonic element envelops visitors in an immersive experience, with “async” music playing through multiple channels in a high-precision surround-sound system.

Myths, Monsters, and Manga: The Art of Fantasy in Asia

Another groundbreaking show in the 2026 line-up is “Myths, Monsters, and Manga: The Art of Fantasy in Asia”, an unprecedented exploration of the role of fantasy in Asian visual culture and its global impact.

The exhibition spans from the nineteenth to the 21st centuries, demonstrating how fantasy serves as a potent creative tool for artists to engage with shifting sociopolitical conditions. By inventing imaginative worlds, characters, and stories, artists confront complex realities that resonate with contemporary global experiences.

The narrative unfolds across four chapters, grounding the exploration in pre-modern traditions that established fantasy as a fundamental element of Asian visual culture, including Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Indonesian shadow puppetry, and Tibetan Buddhist scrolls.

Design Ah! Experience the Wonder of Everyday Design

This exhibition explores the often-hidden impact of contemporary design on our daily routines, from simple acts like walking to eating and sitting. The show aims to reveal how intentional design can improve our lives, subtly influence behaviours, and foster human connections.

As an adaptation of a highly successful exhibition, the programme was developed by general director Taku Satoh, video director Yugo Nakamura, and music director Shuta Hasunuma. These directors invited designers and artists to contribute a variety of engaging activities, including hands-on games, intricate interactive installations, and immersive audiovisual rooms.

Ultimately, “Design Ah!” is crafted to spark creativity and deliver those wonderful, surprising “Ah!” moments of inspiration.