2008 May 16 China Design Now: Urbane Live No. 2 Today
This month's issue of urbane is adorned with a pretty neat cover image: a collage that forms a map of the Chaoyang district, with neighborhoods represented by bits of paper that have been collected from each of those areas. The design was done by one of China's many up and coming graphic designers, Guang Yu of Beijing-based MEWE design alliance, and was commissioned by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London for their ongoing exhibition China Design Now.
It was that exhibition that prompted us to ask the question of what exactly makes design Chinese, or "China"? In her feature this month, Kristina Perez puts the question to a few leading Chinese designers, including Ma Yansong, Ou Ning and Zhu Pei. Their answers, as you might expect, are far from simple or conclusive.
To continue the conversation, we've invited a few other big names to share their thoughts (and their designs) at Boloni's Lifestyle Museum this Saturday. Xiao Yong, professor at the esteemed Central Academy of Fine Arts and lead designer of the Olympic medals will be there, as will Liang Jingyu, the respected architect and founder of Approach Architecture, and Nod Young, the bold and, yes, young, founder of Khaki Creative. We will also be collecting donations for the earthquake victims. There will be food, drinks, and a free shuttle buses that leaves Guomao at 2pm (meet at the Starbucks in China World Tower 1, first floor of the shopping mall – facing Haagen-Dazs) and the Lido Hotel at 2.20pm (again meet at the Starbucks located at the East gate of the Lido Hotel) taking guests out to Boloni's "museum." If you plan to take the shuttle bus, please book a seat in advance by contacting Nancy on 5820 7700 ext 853 or e-mailing marketing@urbanechina.com.
May 17
What is China Design Now?
Free. Click here for full details.
3-5pm. Boloni Lifestyle Museum (8489 9001)
May 18
Pecha Kucha Vol. 5
If you can't make it on Saturday – and even if you can – there's Pecha Kucha on Sunday (urbane is sponsoring). Most of you should already know about the unique format that gives each of the ten guests only six minutes and 40 seconds (20 slides at 20 seconds a slide) to spill their creative beans. For this volume of the event, which is supported by urbane, the speakers include architect Neville Mars, fashion designer Hong Ying and our very own architecture columnist Bert de Muynck. RMB 20.
4pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)
More design than you can shake a Lenovo-designed stick at.
Links and Sources
Urbane
Victoria and Albert Museum: China Design Now Exhibition
that's Beijing: StarvingArtist: 2-D
You might also be interested in :
Architect Frank Gehry in Beijing to open exhibition
Award-winning architect Frank Gehry was in town over the weekend for the official opening of “Frank Gehry. Architect”, a Sanlitun Village North exhibition surveying the highlights of his 40-year-plus career. The exhibition features photos and sketches of some of Gehry’s key projects, as well as exhibits illustrating various aspects of the architect’s technique, including his pioneering use of computers. A whole corner, complete with a scale model, is devoted to Gehry’s most celebrated project, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.Interview with French architect Paul Andreau
French architect Paul Andreau, who just recently saw the unveiling of his egg-shaped National Grand Theater here in Beijing, shares his thoughts with Alex Pasternack in this month's issue of tbjhome. The architect also reveals his reaction to the May 2004 tragedy in which a section of the roofing of a terminal he designed at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport collapsed and killed four travelers, including two Chinese nationals:“I would say it is the worst thing that can happen to any architect in his life, and it was for me. It was a terrible shock. And I look at it with a full sense of responsibility … from the beginning I never wanted to say, ‘It’s not me.’”
The Axe Men Cometh: Catch Swedish Metal Legends Opeth Live
Swedish heavy metal band Opeth will be taking the stage Saturday, February 11 at Tango. If you are in any doubt as to their metal credentials, consider that their drummer is named Axe. Gosh. They will be exposing Beijingers to their unique sound, which blends metal with softer elements such as folk, blues and jazz. Before that happens, we got guitarist Fredrik Akesson to offer some insight on the band's influences, fake blood and loud fans.
Talking Pints: Migas, Valentine's Day, Music Festival Rumors and More
What's going on this week in Bars & Clubs? There are openings, dragons, qipaos, tattoos, love, hate, comedy and quizzes. Not all in the same bar, unfortunately.
Capital Bites: Valentine's, Veal, Pasta and Pingtan
With Valentine's Day approaching, new pasta deals at Flamme and much more to report, here we are with this week's roundup of the latest news, gossip and scandal from Beijing's restaurant scene. Let's go!
