Contemporaneous: Chen Shaoxiong & Qiu Anxiong
5 April – 15 June 2008
Chinese Arts Centre’s new exhibition Contemporaneous by Chen Shaoxiong & Qiu Anxiong opened last Friday as part of Asia Triennial Manchester 08. Featuring lcd screen installation and large scale high definition projection, Contemporaneous presents animations and painting which work the ancient East Asian art of ink painting into engaging, truly contemporary artworks.
Chen Shaoxiong and Qiu Anxiong work with this technically demanding traditional art form to create ink animations which express their individual concerns living in China today. Chen’s four screen installation animation presents a deeply personal portrait of his experience living in a rapidly developing city, while Qiu’s beautiful animation uses ancient Chinese myths to illustrate grave concerns over the world’s potential energy crisis. The works powerfully communicate their views and demonstrate the artists’ experimental and innovative approaches to one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world.
Breathe Resident Artist – Mao Yan Yang
12 March – 30 April 2008
Open studio 25 – 30 April 2008
Mao Yan Yang, a painter from Chongqing, is our current Breathe resident artist as part of ATM08. Presenting historical events from an entirely alternative angle, Mao’s works criticise our unquestioning belief in the media’s depiction of events. Creating stunning new works at an astonishing pace, his exhibition in his studio later this month is not to be missed.
Asia Triennial Manchester is the UK’s first Asian art triennial. Initiated and led by Shisha, ATM08 is a new international festival of exhibitions, residencies and events featuring some of the best contemporary visual artists from across Asia. Visit www.asiatriennialmanchester.com for more information.
Chinese Arts Events across the UK
Walking the Cabbage Movement in Manchester
As part of Asia Triennial Manchester 08, Beijing artist Han Bing will be continuing his ongoing participatory cabbage walk this Saturday 12 April 2008 11am – 1pm in collaboration with The International 3. Han invites you to join him walking a cabbage around Manchester city centre in the latest phase of this intervention project that has already taken place in cities across the world including Tokyo, LA and Shanghai. For more information and how to get involved visit asiatriennialmanchester.com.
CHINA ART NOW
Chinese Arts Centre’s latest exhibition and residency form part of CHINA ART NOW, the spectacular art strand of CHINA NOW, the UK’s largest festival of Chinese culture. Officially launched this week, CHINA ART NOW features exciting exhibitions, site specific installations and challenging commissions across the UK which showcase the best of contemporary Chinese art . A diverse nationwide celebration of Chinese creativity, visit www.chinanow.org.uk for full details of events.
The Land of Peach Blossom
Gayle Chong Kwan’s new installation The Land of Peach Blossom is part of Graves Art Gallery’s The Return of the Ivories exhibition opening 12 April – 4 October 2008. Inspired by the exhibition’s collection of antique Chinese ivory figures and a Chinese legend, Chong Kwan has created a mythical housing development carved in miniature entirely out of used food packaging. Visit sheffieldgalleries.org.uk for more information.
Chinese Kunqu Opera Course
Book your place now for the Chinese Kunqu Opera course as part of SOAS World Music Summer School 2008 (School of Oriental and African Studies, Russell Square, London). Kunqu opera has long been regarded as the most refined operatic form in China. Its music and movement never fail to fascinate and delight. Taking place from Mon – Wed 6-8pm from 30 June to 9 July 2008, this inspiring course teaches the singing and movements of this beautiful performance art. For booking information email musicevents@soas.com
