Art Attack: The UCCA's Indian Highway Censored?
If you were planning to catch the "Indian Highway" exhibit at the UCCA, you might wish you’d gone sooner, as now there will be one less work to see. And chances are, it’ll now be the one everyone’s talking about. Also this week, another screening of the graffiti documentary Spray Paint Beijing, Godard’s Breathless up on The Bookworm rooftop, and updates on art exhibit openings and closings.
A couple days ago, The Hindu, one of India’s most popular English-language publications, stated in this article that the Indian government has asked the UCCA to withdraw a work from their current "Indian Highway" exhibit.
The video installation by artist Tejal Shah features interviews with Indian youth discussing the controversial violence that broke out among members of the Hindu and Muslim communities in the Indian state of Gujarat in 2002.
"Indian Highway" has exhibited in several cities and countries around the world, starting from its inaugural showing in London in 2008, and this is the first time this has become an issue.
Here's another take on the situation at NDTV.com, claiming that India's government asked for the video's removal because members of the Indian community based in Beijing were upset by it.
The UCCA has complied and removed the video from the exhibit. UCCA director Philip Tinari tells us he’s unable to comment at this time, but they will be in touch if there are new developments.
The rest of the exhibit will still be on show until August 19, featuring great works by N.S. Harsha, Subodh Gupta, Hema Upadhyay and more.
Around town this week, you can catch a screening of the new graffiti documentary, Spray Paint Beijing, Saturday at Zajia. Fans of film and graf will have a chance to rub shoulders with director Lance Crayon as well as graffiti artists featured in the film. There are also plenty of Chinese films to catch, both old (like Purple Butterfly) and new (Song of Silence). Godard's first feature film is also showing as part of the Summer Cinema Series on The Bookworm rooftop.
Next week, Verdi’s Aida comes to town on the shoulders of Japan’s New National Theater.
As always, details below. Don’t forget your umbrellas.
EVENTS
Jul 28
Film: Reign of Assassins
A female assassin tries to return a monk’s body to its rightful resting place while others try to stand in her way. RMB 25. 7.30. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Film: Spray Paint Beijing
If you have yet to catch the first documentary to cover Beijing’s graffiti scene, here’s another chance. Several artists featured in the film will be in attendance, and a director Q+A will follow. RMB 20 (includes a drink). 8pm. Zajia (156 0112 2252)
Jul 29
Film: Purple Butterfly
Zhang Ziyi, Liu Ye and Li Bingbing impress in this 2003 film of love and intrigue during the Japanese occupation. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students and seniors), RMB 20-25 (members). 4pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)
Film: Song of Silence
A motley family comprising an artist, a deaf teen, a cop and a pregnant musician try to get along in Hunan. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students and seniors), RMB 25-30 (members). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)
Aug 2
Film: Breathless
See the seeds of French New Wave in Godard’s first feature-length film. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 9507)
COMING UP NEXT WEEK:
Aug 3-5
Opera: Aida
The NCPA and Japan’s New National Theater team up for Verdi’s most popular opera. RMB 100-500. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)
ART EXHIBITS, NEWLY OPENED
Curated By Wang Xingwei: Specificity
Jul 21-Aug 30. Five unknown painters from Wang’s hometown get their big break. Free. UCCA (8459 9269)
Wang Mai: Dire Straits
Jul 21-Aug 30. A huge, absurdist forest embedded with traditional materials will be installed in the Nave. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)
Stripping Eve
Jul 23-Oct 14. A collection of female artists deconstruct the feminine mystique. Free. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666 ext 3032/11)
ART EXHIBITS, ENDING SOON
Shi Zhiying: Between Past and Future
Until Jul 30. Black-and-white abstracts allude to the sea. Free. White Space Beijing (8456 2054)
Liu Xinyi: Agent L
Until Jul 30. How should artists be involved in the sociopolitical sphere? Liu tells you. Free. White Space Beijing (8456 2054)
Photo: TheHindu.com
