An octopus has eight limbs. About a year ago, researchers spotted an octopus hitching a ride on the back of a shark off the New Zealand coast. Writing from the hubhub of Art Basel Hong Kong 2025, the 'octopus' is the art market, riding an uncertain economy, where gallerists and auction houses are "cautiously optimistic" about buying tendencies.

This week, the 'octopus' symbolises the (creative and relentless) resilience and adaptability that is now inherent to contemporary life. At Art Basel, galleries from the Asia Pacific region showcase a wide range of modern as well as contemporary practices, including works by the British-Singaporean artist Kim Lim, the Korean film star Ha Jung-woo and Pakistani artist Aisha Khalid. Artist Anicka Yi engages

with sensorial stimuli to arrive at a feminist and decolonial biopolitics in her current show at UCCA Beijing. The Zenga Bros build unique skateable sculptures, infusing curved and sweeping surfaces with play, curiosity and movement.

In another avatar, the Octopus Card is Hong Kong's ubiquitous payment system, used on its public transport network, stores and restaurants. It takes you places. The coastal state of Goa saw an influx of cityfolk fleeing the pandemic, changing its fabric but also cultivating an arts ecology geared towards community spaces, an in-depth story reveals. Change is inevitable, but contending with it takes time.