Art Beijing 2006 Helps Beijing Go Global

Art Beijing 2006 opens to public in the hall of International Agricutural Exhibition Center on 6th October in Beijing./ Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM

White Space Gallery shows works in the hall of International Agricutural Exhibition Center in Beijing../ Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM

Art Beijing 2006, a large-scale contemporary art exposition, opened at Beijing's National Agricultural Exhibition Hall on Friday, October 6, China's traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. The theme this year is "Pushing Forward Chinese Contemporary Art."

The event aims not only to surpass the levels of other prominent domestic and international art expositions, but also put more emphasis on art's commercial possibilities and academic discussions.

Altogether, one hundred participants and 82 galleries from 12 countries and regions in Asia and Europe were selected from 200 applicants, including the Asia Art Center in Taiwan, Poligrafa Gallery in Spain, Vanessage Art Link in Malaysia and White Space in Germany.

Many original works by well known Chinese and foreign contemporary artists, including Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Arman and Zhu Dequn, are part of the international lineup of the five-day art show from October 6 to 10.

Regarding to what levels of audience the show caters to, Alexander Ochs, German president of White Space Gallery, has this to say.

"A fair needs different audiences. On the one hand, a fair needs an international audience from international collectors who have money to buy art. Yesterday was a good start. There were a lot of people from China, but there were also visitors from overseas countries and regions, including Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. On the other hand, a fair needs a very strong audience, including art students, normal visitors and citizens who are interested in the arts. For many people here in Beijing, it is the first time they can see so much art in one place."

The exhibition is divided into two parts. One is "Art Unforbidden" presented by famous contemporary art exhibition curator Pi Li. It aims at introducing the most active art trends and artists.

The other is "Youth Art Zone," which provides an opportunity for 10 artists under 35. They can display their avant-garde works in video, music and performing arts.

Tickets for the art show are 50 yuan, or over 6 US dollars, which attracts many visitors, young and old, from both home and abroad. People waited in a long queue to buy a ticket ahead of the event's opening.

Lilian Nilsson, who is traveling in China from Sweden with her husband, gave the fair high praise.

"My husband and I are very interested in the arts. We are traveling here for ten days. We have been around in Beijing to look for art and we are happy to be here. It's very interesting to see contemporary arts and very interesting things from China."

In addition to the exposition, a forum focusing on art economics was held on Friday and Saturday. All the speakers at the forum were top international experts engaged in the art market.

The organizers hope Art Beijing 2006 will transform Beijing into not only an artistic Beijing, but also a focus for the world. (Source:  CRIENGLISH.com )