Art Attack: Cancelled Shows, Three Shadows Book Launch and Tibetan Art
Everyone still alive? No one froze to death clutching a wooden plank last night? Whew.
Now that the air is clear(er) and the sun’s back out, we’ve got a beautiful weekend ahead of us for hitting the galleries, the theater, or even taking to the stage yourself with upcoming auditions. Meanwhile, some Beijing art news and a Tibetan exhibit that ends Saturday.
If you follow your global art news, you’ve probably heard that art heavyweight Anish Kapoor (he’s responsible for that giant bean in Chicago) turned down a show at Beijing’s National Museum of China and French artist Daniel Buren reneged on a show at the UCCA. Organizers at the UCCA sited a “schedule problem,” but we’ll leave the real reasons to all you smart guessers out there. It may have something to do with the revolutionary weight loss plan of another celebrity artist we’ve all been reading about.
Replacing Buren’s show will be the digital sculptures of Japanese artist Tatsuo Miyajima, opening July 16 alongside another show by the revered Song Dong. More details on these exhibits as they open, though you can always check out the UCCA website for more.
Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite photo gallery, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, is hosting a party for the launch of their first ever publishing project. A collaboration with a foreign photography and writer, human negotiations is coming out in style with a reception at 4pm and outdoor screening and BBQ at 8pm.
The China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture, China Artists Association and Capital Normal University have joined together to host an exhibit of Tibetan art. According to a spot on www.china.org, the curators expect the works to “showcase the prosperous life of Tibetans under the leadership of Communist Party of China and promote cultural exchange and integration.” If that’s what you want to see, you’ve got until tomorrow. It’s probably the closest you’ll get to Tibet all summer, seeing as how tourism in the region is closed off for the season.
There’s also a mind-meld of an art show that joins an aboriginal artist from Australia with a Chinese artist. Called E(merge): Two Spiritualities it opens in 798 this Saturday. Further downtown, Yishu 8 is fighting it out with one more show as they’re being ushered out of Cable 8 for impending demolitions. Lionel Sabatte’s work is hard to pin down, as he dabbles in paint, mixed media and animation, and his aesthetic goes from graphic to abstract. A great excuse for one last spin around the charming art alley.
If you’re feeling more like watching someone else be active, there’s a hip-hop ballet by choreographer Anthony Egea, which also incorporates taijiquan. Pick up a move or two and impress the grannies at the park.
Aspiring thespians should know auditions are being held for the fall production of Love, Sex and the IRS this Sunday night. And if you’ve been hankering for a good book, pick up Tess Gerritsen's The Killing Place, then join the Book Smugglers Tuesday night for a rousing discussion and 10 kuai gin & tonics.
Details for all events below.
June 24
Hip-hop Ballet: Modern
Choreographer Anthony Egea brings back his well-received blend of styles, this time incorporating hip-hop, ballet, and taijiquan. RMB 100-480. 7.30pm. Tianqiao Theater (8315 6300)
June 24-25
Tibetan Art
Paintings from Tibetan artists with a range of themes – historical, social, natural, traditional, etc. Almost like a good backpacking trip right? Free. China People's Revolution Military Museum (6681 7161)
June 25
E(merge): Two Spiritualities
Jun 25-Jul 10. An Australian aboriginal artist and a Chinese artist find the mysterious connections between their disparate backgrounds. Free. Space Station Gallery (5978 9671)
human negotiations
Jun 25. Head out to Three Shadows out in Caochangdi for a photo-fete and neighborhood cookout. 4pm Book Launch, 8pm Screening & BBQ. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (6432 2663)
June 26
Audition: Love, Sex, and the IRS
Beijing Playhouse seeks 8 actors for this New York farce about two men feigning marriage to dodge taxes. Show debuts in Beijing in September. For more info contact performance@beijingplayhouse.com. Free. 6:30pm. Trojan House Theater (5711 0860)
June 28
Book Club: The Killing Place by Tess Gerritsen
A chilling murder mystery to bring your temperature down a couple notches. Along with some well-priced gin & tonics (RMB 10). Free. The Smugglers (138 0107 1230)
