Art Attack: Graffiti Giants, Open House at Yuanfen Flow and Hollywood Exodus to China?

If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy this freakish blue sky streak yet, let’s hope the awesomeness continues this weekend. Good excuses to get out: an epic urban art exhibit opening up at G-Dot Art Space, screenings of a graffiti documentary and an open house at new gallery/incubator Yuanfen Flow. Read on for details

Every once in awhile, a good reason to head out to Songzhuang comes up. It’s that time. "Do Not Erase" opens this Saturday, offering a very rare chance to see six street artists from France, Brazil, Switzerland and the US gather to do live graffiti and show their works. Their names: Ceet, Noe Two, Tkid, Kongo, Binho and Toast. I’d be frontin’ if I pretended to be an expert on any of these guys, but I’m assured by those in the know that they are legendary. If you’ve ever had an interest in street art, don’t miss this opportunity. To make the commute easy, G-Dot have arranged a bus leaving from the north gate of Worker’s Stadium at 3pm and 5pm. Contact Lei Lei with any questions (lei.gdot@gmail.com, 158 1034 8396).

In keeping with the graffiti theme, documentarist Lance Crayon is premiering his film, Spray Paint Beijing, at the French Embassy on Tuesday, Jun 19. It’ll run 6-8pm, free for members and RMB 80 for non-members. RSVP by emailing fcccadmin@gmail.com. He’ll be doing another screening next Saturday at Beer Mania too, this time along with live graffiti art, auction and Q+A, making it an all-afternoon affair. We’ll have more details for you next week.

The LA Times just published an interesting article about directors, writers, actors, etc. who are opting out of the ever-more-competitive Hollywood rat race for gold mines of opportunity in China’s film industry. With all the co-productions in the works, it’s probably not a bad way to get back into Hollywood either, after you’ve had some valuable experience. Read it for yourself here.

Film’s not the only industry trending on China of late – apparently it’s happening in fantasy fiction, too. Admit it, you totally got into Game of Thrones, even if you didn't think you were a fantasy person. Now that the second season’s over (along with every other show you’ve been following), you might be looking for ways to fill your time. You ready? There's this Temeraire series. It's set in the Napoleonic war, but with dragons helping out in aerial battle. Our hero, Temeraire, is one such dragon who discovers that he's actually of Chinese descent. Cue search for roots. The latest, Crucible of Gold, just came out in March this year, but you can follow Temeraire's adventures from the beginning with His Majesty's Dragon. NPR recommends it for you here.

Also this week, an orchestra performance set to Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince, the hilarious Bringing Up Baby on the Bookworm rooftop, an open house at Yuanfen Flow and the start of the “Break the Silence” exhibit raising awareness about domestic abuse.

Jun 16
Open House: Yuanfen Flow
Rub elbows with other creatives at this exciting new gallery/incubator space. Free. Yuanfen Flow, http://yuanfenflow.org/

Jun 17
Concert: The Little Prince
The charmingly precocious story set to orchestra sounds. RMB 160-240. 7.30pm. NCPA Multi-Functional Theatre (6655 0000)

Jun 19
Documentary: Spray Paint Beijing
Lance Crayon covers the graffiti scene in Beijing like it’s never been covered before. Free (members), RMB 80 (non-member). French Embassy, 60 Tianze Lu, Chaoyang District, 北京市朝阳区天泽路60号

Jun 21
Film: Bringing Up Baby
Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn babysit a leopard. Free. 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

Jun 22
Modern Dance: Letter to My Father
Dancer-choreographer Apple Yang explores the limits of filial piety. RMB 180. 7.30pm. China Shijitan Contemporary Arts Center (5980 2222)

NEW EXHIBITS:
Break the Silence
Jun 16-Jul 15. Spanish artist Pere Ibanez creates works in the theme of domestic violence for this fundraising exhibit. Free. La Plantation Gallery (6433 6920)

Street Art: Do Not Erase
Jun 16-Jul G-Dot Art Space brings six iconic urban artists from all around the world for live graffiti, screenings and an exhibit of their works. Free. G-Dot Art Space (6057 3345)

Photo: Courtesy of G-Dot Art Space