Art Attack: Caochangdi Photospring, Plus Photographer Chen Man and Red Gate Launch Pad

The Caochangdi Photospring kicks off this Saturday afternoon, 3pm, at the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. The event is free and open to the public, so come celebrate the start of every year's most anticipated photography event. And just think what an atmospheric affair it'll be if it rains like it's supposed to.

Below, we bring you some tips on which events are not-to-be-missed, straight from one of the organizers of the Photospring.

And look for details about a Chen Man solo show opening at the Today Art Museum as well as Red Gate Gallery's latest show, the Red Gate Launch Pad.

Caochangdi Photospring top picks:

...for exhibits:

Three Shadows Photography Award 2011 Exhibition
Until Jun 30. See works by today’s young Chinese contemporary photographers in the competition that Beijing's photography and art communities look foward to every year. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Exhibition Halls 1 & 2 (6432 2663)

Reappearance: The Arles 1988 China Exhibition
Until May 31. Go way back in time and get another first peek at China’s earliest contemporary photographers. These were the first to show their work outside of China, and now the photos and photographers are back in Beijing. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Exhibition Hall 3 (6432 2663)

Eikoh Hosoe: Photographic Scrolls
Until May 31. The internationally renowned Japanese photographer’s works are transcendent, provocative, and here for us to ponder. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Multifunction Hall (6432 2663)

Africa: See You, See Me
Until May 22. Africa, seen from inside and out (see photo, above). Li Space (5127 3272)

Through the Lens: The World of Bernard Pras
Until May 31. Toys, pieces of rubber and other random objects become works of art. China Art Archives and Warehouse (8456 5152)

Shi Guorui: Scenes
Until Jun 20. Modern landscapes using primitive photographic technique: the camera obscura. Shi Guorui has revived this technique and taken it all over the world. F2 Gallery (6432 8831)

Impossible Exhibition
Until May 31. The Impossible Project rescued Polaroids from obscurity by taking over the last film production plant when it was shut down. Now four Chinese and four European photographers have been set loose to take instant photographs, which will then be displayed here. Matthias Küper Galleries (1870 133 2875)

The Scenery with Red Color
Artist Mo Yi explores the color red: does it stand for Maoist revolution? Passion and desire? Or blood and war? Art Channel (6433 5080)

... and for events:

Sunday, April 24:

Anachronisms: Live Analog Music & Super 8 Impossible Factory Films

Pangbianr, one of Beijing's most active independent art/music/film production and distribution
platforms, is teaming up with the Photospring for a screening of three Super 8mm films revolving around the Impossible Project's polaroid factory. With music by Yan Yulong, Soviet Pop, and Fat City. 7pm. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Courtyard (6432 2663)

Saturday, April 30

The Night of the Year

Combination photo screening and twilight stroll. At your own leisurely pace, visit several screens scattered throughout Caochangdi for a look back at the previous year's Photospring highlights. 7pm. Various venues in the Caochangdi village.

Also check out:

Chris Marker: Revolutionary Times
Until May 31. The celebrated French art film director slows down with photographic stills. Jing Yi Art Space (8456 7945)

Rong Rong’s Ruin Pictures 1996-1998
Until Jun 5. Beijing’s father of photography captured the city’s fallen buildings in moments of demolition. Chambers Fine Art (5127 3298)

Wang Chuan: Refocus: The Dragon
Until May 31. The Beijing-based photographer hunts down the mythical reptiles populating our fair city. Pékin Fine Arts (5127 3220)

All events are free, see www.ccdphotospring.com for more information.

As if that's not enough to keep you busy, there are a couple other big openings this weekend, too:

Elan - Photography Exhibition by Chen Man

Apr 23-May 8. Karen Smith curates the first-ever solo exhibition of the young photographer - often hailed as the Chinese Annie Leibovitz - here on the Chinese mainland. Both Bingbings are rumored to be hitting up the exclusive opening event. Today Art Museum

Red Gate Launch Pad

See the fruits of ten years of this pioneering Beijing gallery's artist-in-residence program, with an exhibit featuring the works of several of its graduates. Red Gate Gallery

Photos from the organizers of Caochangdi Photospring, coolbuzz.org, smashboxstudios.com, and artnet.com.