2011 Oct 28 Art Attack: Tofu Boy, Tintin, Chinglish and New Shows At Red Gate and Pekin Fine Arts
Nice work, Uncle Hu. Now that you’re officially focused on building soft power, we’re busier than ever trying to cover everything that’s going on, from stage productions to films and animation to art market issues and of course the ever-developing art exhibits our galleries have to offer. The weather’s cooling down but culturally, things in this city are definitely heating up.
First up, there are two new shows worth checking out this weekend: The first is a series of highly anticipated new works by artist Zhang Dali. Part graffiti/public artist, part sculptor/installationist and now also a photographer of cyanotype sorts, Zhang has always been great at exploiting the frustrations and tensions of Beijing in provocative yet playful ways. His show just went up at Pekin Fine Arts, so go take a look for yourself.
If you’re more a classicist, check out Guan Wei’s new show at Red Gate Gallery (see photo, top). One of the original heavy-hitters of Chinese contemporary art (we profiled him when Red Gate turned 20 a few months ago), his latest work introduces quirky contemporary takes on the ancient material in one of China’s classic texts.
Moving on, the theater lovers among us have no doubt heard about David Henry Hwang’s new play that premiered on Broadway, called Chinglish. According to this Chicago Tribune review, it’s a fun time, but not without some smart commentary on the trials and tribulations of East meeting West. It also points out a China Daily reporter pouncing on audience members as they exited the theater. We eagerly await the play’s arrival in Beijing (no word yet), but until then you can peep our interview with Hwang when he was in town last year.
Another play, which shall remain nameless (until you click that link), is being produced at the Young Vic in London. It’s based on a popular book about one family’s experiences throughout China’s tumultuous 20th century (pre-Open Door), and is [whispers] the b-word in China. If only plays could have stickers too. You know, to boost sales. W--- S---- opens next April - in London, of course. Fat chance of it showing here, but one can hope?
In film news: The Adventures of Tintin, the animation co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, was just released in Europe this weekend and comes to China Nov. 15 (this time, we get an almost five week jump on the States!!). Time Out has an interesting look at Tintin's legacy in China here.
Speaking of animation, buzz is building over Tofu Boy, the new animation project getting hyped by Variety and billed as “the Chinese Pinocchio” – though softer and less made of wood. We just had a talk with Kevin Geiger, the producer of the project (and the man who left Disney to start new entertainment company Magic Dumpling) this morning, so look for more about Tofu Boy and his animated friends on our blog soon.
And speaking of animation again, check out Spirited Away at the Riverbank Bar and Café on Nov. 2, presented by Electric Shadows – these people work hard to bring you excellent film screenings around town. This particular film is a must-see by Hayao Miyazaki, the man who inspires the people behind some of the world’s best animation today (aka, everyone at Pixar).
Also this week, an 80s Halloween featuring Ghostbusters and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at The Bookworm (also put on by Electric Shadows - see, didn't I tell you?), opera La Boheme, and a great Art Forum with curator Carol Yinghua Lu at the UCCA.
Whew, I need a nap.
Event details:
Oct 22-Jan 8
Zhang Dali: World’s Shadows
The artist who left his silhouette on demolition sites all around Beijing in the 90s is now playing with cyanotype photography to strikingly haunting yet playful effects. Free. Pekin Fine Arts
Oct 28-30
Opera: La Boheme
Set in the industrial-chic warehouses of 798 (see Review, p57). RMB 160-680. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)
Oct 29
Art Forum: Focus on the Venice Biennale
2011 Jury member Carol Yinghua Lu and China Pavilion curator Peng Feng discuss the revered event. Free. 2-3:30pm. UCCA (8459 9269)
Film Club: ‘80s Halloween
Leggings and bad hair spook you in a double feature of Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video followed by the Ghostbusters. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Oct 29-Nov 20
Guan Wei: The New Classic of the Mountains and Seas
One of China’s first contemporary artists now straddles Beijing and Sydney, and his latest takes the ancient Chinese gazette of similar name and injects it with his trademark exploration of colonization, Australian indigenous groups and the sea – all outlined in his beautifully clean aesthetic. Free. Red Gate Gallery
Nov 2
Film: Spirited Away
Electric Shadows presents Hayao Miyazaki’s big crossover film. RMB 30 (includes coffee or tea). 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar and Café
Photos: Red Gate Gallery, Pekin Fine Arts, www.dunglish.nl, pcbunny.co.za and Magic Dumpling
You might also be interested in :
Art Attack: Culture Wars, Chinese Fortune Telling and Indie Flicks
Have you all heard, Hu Jintao's declared a culture war on the West? There's a signed essay circulating that cites the invasion of cultural exports like Harry Potter and Lady Gaga, and the Chinese have to fight back – with "the advanced culture of socialism" guiding the way. Um, good luck going viral on Youtube with that one.
Unfortunately, even Uncle Hu can't do anything about the black hole of sorts we experience in Beijing at this point in the year, especially where new art exhibits are concerned. (All the workers they need to help install the crazy contraptions are getting ready to blow dodge for chunjie.) There is one exception to the rule, and quite an exciting one at that. Luckily, you've got a great set of choices for film screenings coming up, including the next in Krzysztof Kieślowski's "Three Colors Trilogy", a couple gems at the UCCA's Indie Film Forum Series, and a campy 1960s "Secret Agents Series" kicking off at new hipster joint Modernista (quick, here's your chance to be an early adopter). Read on for the details.
Art Attack: Battle Opera, Monsoon Wedding, Cinderella and Last Calls for Exhibits
Hi there. Long time no talk. Between October holiday and a personal trip to Taiwan, it’s been awhile since I threw a long list of cultural activities to you hungry, sophisticated wolves. Well, I’m back.
This week, if you’re looking for a good show, you’ve got quite a few options. Peking opera, Italian opera or Shakespeare? There are also several art exhibits that are closing up shop, so this weekend’s a good opportunity to catch them – before going out to cavernous galleries requires the putting on of several layers of puffy apparel.
Art Attack: Red Gate’s 20th Anniversary, Kung Fu Flick and the Environment
Beijing’s first private contemporary art space, Red Gate Gallery, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this Saturday with the preview of their newest exhibit, “20 years: Two Generations of Artists.” It features 11 of their long-standing artists alongside their 11 picks for newer up-and-coming artists. Also this week, Jonathan Watts tells us more about China’s biggest environmental concerns. Or you can just sit there and watch a ton of movies while the world burns. (Dramatic guilt trips are the best.)
Art Attack: Affordable Art, Comic Korean Cooks, Tosca and Thomas
I'm currently debilitated by a pinched nerve, but that doesn't stop you from going out this weekend and getting some well-priced art in 798, laughing yourself silly to the tune of banging pots and pans, or finally catching that Zhu Wen flick with the dogs, wire-fu and aliens, now does it?
Art Attack: Food & Film Postponed, Hunger Games and Last Calls
We already let you know last week that the 48 Hour Film Project, the annual short film competition that’s been running in Beijing for three years now, will not be taking place this weekend as planned. Also not taking place: the Food, Film & Friends cooking/film screening event at The Hutong. Also, Hunger Games is finally set to hit theaters, and several art exhibits are closing up shop. Read on for details.
