State of the Arts: Album Covers, a Trip Down the Silk Road, and the Work of Anthony Browne
State of the Arts is our regular arts column wherein we take a look at the newest moves in Beijing's creative scene and highlight art news as well as exhibitions, artists, and openings that you should seek out.
Until Aug 4: Happy People
Inside-out Art Museum's latest exhibition Happy People takes inspiration from the poetic drama of the same name by Chinese modern writer He Qifang. His drama centers around one autumnal evening where a group of young people gather in the wild and talk about their ideas while singing and dancing around a bonfire. Like the characters in the poem, the artwork here captures the idea that multifaceted and complex moods create profound variances in perspectives. RMB 10. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Inside-out Art Museum
Until Aug 11: Joint Exhibition of Asian Civilizations
This joint exhibition features over 400 historical artifacts from around Asia to give a snapshot of the region's cultural development. It is categorized according to a timeline that traces the mutual relationship between China and each featured country. The exhibition provides viewers with the opportunity to feast their eyes on great artworks that made Asia what it is today. Of special historical importance is the collection of artifacts gifted to China during official state visits over the years. Free. Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm. National Museum of China
Until Sep 1: Picasso - Birth of a Genius
The largest showing of Picasso’s work ever in China, Birth of a Genius includes 103 works (34 paintings, 14 sculptures, and 55 sketches and collages) drawn entirely from the collection of the Musée National Picasso - Paris. The works give an overview of the first three decades of Picasso’s career, a period during which his style underwent numerous changes; from the academic realism of his student days to his post-war return to a classical style, the alternately somber and carnivalesque motifs of his Blue and Rose periods to his primitive explorations and eventual deep dive into Cubism. Read our in-depth review of the exhibition here. RMB 138-188. 10am-7pm daily. UCCA
Until Sep 22: Anthony Browne’s Happy Museum
This exhibition encompasses 162 original paintings from renowned British writer and illustrator Anthony Browne, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition given to authors of children’s books. Browne's impeccable eye for detail, surrealist flourishes, and careful pencil strokes truly bring the characters to life. As Browne has said: “Picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we grow older.” RMB 58. Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. National Museum of Classic Books
Until Oct 12: Chinese Album Covers
Collected by the Free Sound Album Store over several decades, this installation showcases over 100 eye-catching album covers from a whos-who of Chinese musicians. Highlights include artwork for Black Panther, Zhang Chu, He Yong, and other stars from China's 1980s rock 'n' roll golden age. Free. Daily, 10am-8pm. Free Sound Album Store
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Photos: anthonybrownebooks.com, courtesy of the organizers
