Clear Your Walls for Affordable Art Beijing (AAB) 2012

Time to clear your walls and make room for the hot new art on sale at Beijing’s most popular art fair of the year, Affordable Art Beijing (AAB).

Already in its 7th year, Beijingers go mad for this art fair. Long queues form before the doors even open (they expect to see up to 10,000 visitors) and once they do start letting everyone in, floods of people rush in as they grab as much as they can (it’s first come, first serve) before it’s all disappeared.

For those unfamiliar to the AAB Art Fair, it was founded in 2006 by art addict Tom Pattinson who realizes there are plenty of people out there who are keen to start an art collection with a limited budget.

“AAB gives the public an opportunity to be able to afford high quality works of contemporary art and enter the art market, whilst giving young artists a platform to show and sell their works to a large audience.” - Tom Pattinson, Founder of AAB

Whether or not you’ve caught the art-bug, this is one of the rare occasions you can both familiarize yourself with China’s local and foreign contemporary artists and purchase masterpieces at a price anyone can afford from a few hundred RMB to a max of RMB 20,000.  This is your chance to snag some real steals, but be careful not to get carried away with impulse purchases.

“There are some incredibly works that will be on offer from some very hot young artists. Last year Liu Aijing sold all six of her works in under five minutes, and Guo Hongjie also sold out within an hour, so we are looking forward to having them both take part again in 2012.”  - Tom Pattinson

My favorite bit about AAB is knowing that each of the art works available has been individually hand-picked by the AAB Team. This ensures the overall quality and consistency of both the featured artists and their works of art.  According to Tom, they have received submissions from over 1200 artists this year. Out of this massive pile to choose from, only 255 of those artists made the cut.

“We spend all year visiting art schools, going to artist villages and working with art professionals to find the best in new talent from across the country. This year we have artists from Liaoning in the north to Sichuan in the west.” - Tom Pattinson.

So get ready, you have just over a month to start saving up your piggy bank as it’s just been announced (hot off the press!) that AAB Art Fair will be happening on the first weekend of June: Saturday, June 2-Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 in Beijing’s 798 Art Space (same location as last year).

Once again, the two-day fair will showcase hundreds of contemporary Chinese art of various styles and mediums – from small prints to large oil paintings, to hand painted sculptures and photography.

To wet your appetite for contemporary art, here are my top picks that will be up for grabs at the AAB Art Fair -

“Tug of War” 拔河 by Cao Xihui 曹锡辉 

“37″ by Du Qingfeng 杜青峰  / ”Van Gogh” 梵高 by Ge Duo 戈多

“Birds on a Rock” by Huang Shaojie 黄绍杰 / 以物喜 以己悲 系列 Series by Ling Guiyuan 凌贵元 

河岸 “Riverbank” by Chen Bo 沉波 

Two Pieces of 谁 or “Who” Series by Guo Hongjie

Works by Cai Jun

Animation by Tian Xiaolei / 蝴蝶 “Butterfly” by Li Jinguo 李金国 

诱饵01 “Bait 01″ by Gao Feng 高峰  / Tian Xiaolei 《山水小品》

Works by Celia Chi 

戴帽子的女孩 no.2 “Girl Wearing a Hat” by Chen Beibei 陈蓓蓓  / 鱼 “Fish” by Liu Sicong 刘思聪 

Works by Dong Kui

Ian Webb – “New Year’s Day iii”

Last, but certainly not least, this year AAB will be working with WABC, a charity that uses art therapy to help mentally disabled patients.

“Through creative expression patients can often improve their emotional and psychological health. By demonstrating their artistic talents, the project also aims to bring more awareness of the mentally disabled as a part of the community. AAB will dedicate an exhibition space at the event to sell WABC art works, with all the proceeds going to the charity.”

城市系列 “City Series”  by Zhang Shiying 张世英 

Event Details:

• Dates: Saturday, June 2- Sunday, June 3, 2012

• Time: 11:00 – 18:00

• Location: The 798 Space

• Address: Ceramic 3 St. 798 Road, 798 Art District, 4. Jiuxianqiao Road

• Website: Click here for AAB’s Official Website.  

• Contact:  Christine@affordableartchina.com or call +86 10 6407 5314

About Affordable Art China (AAC)

Affordable Art China (AAC) is a platform for young emerging artists to present their artwork to art lovers from all over the globe. With annual art fairs in Beijing and Shanghai, AAC showcases some of the most innovative and exciting contemporary artwork from around China. These multi-day events are open to the public and free of charge, emphasizing AAC’s goal to give people of all different art backgrounds an opportunity to learn about and enjoy contemporary Chinese art. Featuring thousands of absolutely stunning artworks of all different styles, mediums, sizes and prices, AAC makes art collecting accessible to everyone.

The New Yishu 8 (艺术8) Art Gallery & Event Space

“An impressive lacquered wood door leads onto a courtyard planted with trees and the traditional red columns of the entrance porch. Once through the door, visitors leave behind the city’s bustle and discover a surprising atmosphere, a quiet but cheerfully decorated space that blends Chinese and Western influences: the yellow imperial salon, the golden and silver salons, the music room and the white gallery. A monumental Baccarat chandelier greets visitors as they arrive.” 

Just about one month ago, Yishu 8 (艺术8) moved from it’s original location on Jianguo Lu into the former Sino-French University and the new space is called “Maison des arts dédiée à la création contemporaine” (House of Arts dedicated to contemporary creation).

Home to exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year, Yishu 8 is a space dedicated to contemporary art and exchanges between China and the West by offering an artistic residency for 3 young French artists every year, giving them the opportunity to discover China and its rich creative environment.

“It aims to become a private version of the Villa Médicis.”

Before Yishu 8 moved into it’s new location, it already established itself as a well-known venue in the art world through successfully putting on a broad range of shows: photography, painting and sculpture exhibitions featuring the works of artists such as Lu Yangpeng, Michael Madore, Val and Li Xin, as well as meetings with figures such as Michel Houellebecq and Jean-Marie Gustave le Clézio.

Yishu 8 was also known to host plenty of private and corporate events, and they also held regular music events from jazz to bossa nova concerts, events for children and families and also conferences regarding Sino-French artistic life.

Now housed in the symbolic Sino-French University, these building are classified as historic monuments with the building’s lecture halls bearing an engraving of the head of the Chinese republic’s founder, Sun Yat-sen. The space is massive, covering over 1200 square meters with significant space dedicated to French culture and prestigious exhibitions.

“Yishu 8 is a haven in the heart of Beijing that has been stylishly renovated and transformed into reception and exhibition rooms.”  

LumDimSum Snapshots of the New Yishu 8:

More articles related to the New Yishu 8:

• Art Media Agency: Yishu 8 presents its House of Art dedicated to contemporary creation in China 

• Inauguration of “Yishu 8″ in Beijing

• Official Yishu 8 Website (currently only in French and Chinese)

Art Beijing: “Christian Dior and Quentin Shih” Show

I love this clash of extremes. The dynamic is stunning and I while I embarrassingly admit that some pieces of artwork go right over my head, I am very much drawn to Quentin Shih’s photography.

In the upcoming Art Beijing Contemporary Art Fair 2012, PX Photography Gallery will have a solo show of Chinese artist Quentin Shih 时晓凡from Tianjin.

This talented artist was named “Photographer of the Year” by Esquire Magazine (China) in 2007 and the following year he was selected by Christian Dior as one of the twenty Chinese contemporary artists to participate in their exhibition “Dior with Chinese Contemporary Artists”.

His two collaboration series – “Stranger in the Glass Box” and “Shanghai Dreamers” will be on display at the Art Beijing Fair, which will include a display of 6 large scale photographs from his collaboration with Christian Dior.

“Quentin Shih’s ‘Stranger in the Glass Box’ series, a collaboration with the House of Dior, juxtaposes industrial scenes from northern China with Dior models as emblems of affluence from Western culture. The result highlights the beauty and grotesqueness of both worlds.”  - PX Photography Gallery

“Stranger in the Glass Box #2″ – Quentin Shih, Digital Chromogenic Print, 75 x 44 inches, Edition of 8, 2008

Here Quentin Shih explains his inspiration in his series of “Shanghai Dreamers” with Christian Dior -

“My inspiration came from a certain Chinese style of group photography but these ceremonial photographs mark a departure from a certain historical period and herald the future. I created some typical Chinese groupings; they replicate themselves, wearing plastic clothes. They stand on display in vast spaces or upon a stage because they were, and still are dreamers. As China enters a new era, they begin to stand together upon a world stage, self-conscious and yet filled with power.”

-Quentin Shih
Paris, France

“Shanghai Dreamers #6″ – Quentin Shih, Digital Chromogenic Print, 112X 112cm, Edition of 8, 2010

“Shanghai Dreamers #8” – Quentin Shih, Digital Chromogenic Print, 112 X 112 cm, Edition of 8, 2010

Event Details:

Death Cab for Cutie Headlining JUE Music + Art 2012

Death Cab for Cutie (Press Photo by Danny Clinch)

People have been going nuts for American Indie-rock band Death Cab for Cutie tickets since word first got out that they’d be coming to China this year and thanks to JUE | Music + Art Festival, the Splitworks team has brought the arrival of Death Cab for Cutie for two performances in Shanghai (March 9) and Beijing (March 10)!

Beijing’s performance will be held at the 3rd floor of Tango at 8PM on Saturday, March 10 and pre-sale tickets are available now! See below for ticket sale info.

“Fresh off the heels of another Grammy nomination for their seventh studio album, Codes and Keys, Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer, Chris Walla and Jason McGerr bring with them the melodies that charmed a generation of young music lovers and lyrics that made their hearts melt to the shores of China. Whether you love the sweetness of early singles like “A Movie Script Ending” or the complex later work of “I Will Possess Your Heart” and “You Are A Tourist,” the band’s unwavering commitment to sonic exploration and lyrical ambition promises an epic night of rock from one of America’s favourite indie rock bands.”

 Death Cab for Cutie by Autumn de Wilde (Photo taken in Greek Theatre, LA)

Death Cab for Cutie by Autumn de Wilde

Death Cab for Cutie Concert in Calgary

Concert Details:

• Date: Saturday, March 10
• Time: 8PM
• Location: 3rd Floor of Tango
• Address: 79 Hepingli Xijie, Dongcheng district  东城区和平里西街79号

Ticketing Info:

• Ticket Price: 280 RMB (Presale) /360 RMB (Door)
• Ticket Info Hotline: 1870 113 3908 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, EN + CN)
• Presale tickets available:
• -       Taobao (in Chinese): http://splitworks.taobao.com/
• -       Tango 1st Floor Ticketing Desk (Mon-Sun, 24 hrs)
• Address: 79 Hepingli Xijie, Dongcheng District
• -       Crêpanini (Mon-Sun, 9am-12 midnight)
• Address: Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District
• -       Lush (Open 24 Hours)
• Address: 2/F, Bldg 1, Huaqing Jiayuan, Chengfu Lu (across from the Wudaokou light-rail station), Haidian District
• Website:  www.lushbeijing.com
• -       NLGX Design Store (Mon-Sun,10 AM – 10 PM)
• Address: #33 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District
• Website: www.nlgx.org

About JUE | Music + Art Festival 2012:

Celebrating it’s 4th year, JUE (觉) is sn independent urban arts and music festival in both Shanghai and Beijing that spans over a few weeks collecting alternative, creative and progressive arts and music events from March 9-March 25.

“Performance art, film, spoken word, street art, workshops, photography exhibitions, live music, madness… all of these things and more fall under the creative umbrella that is JUE.” – Split Works Team, hosts of JUE Music + Art Festival

Last year they brought one of my favorite bands Whitest Boy Alive to Yugongyishan and with Death Cab for Cutie and Summer Lei (雷光夏) as headlining acts in this year’s line-up, 2012 is looking bigger than ever!

So it’s very appropriate that WHALE! is their official opening party to launch this creative festival of talent.

(What is WHALE!? Just ask Bobby Dropper.  He explains it best here.)

JUE | Music + Art 2012

Do a Book | 做一本书 Opening at White Space Gallery

Do a Book Group Exhibition and Installation is a project that has been in the works for years and is finally opening with over 25 talented artists in White Space Gallery in Caochangdi from 3PM-6PM on Saturday, February 18, 2012. The month-long exhibition will be on display until March 18, 2012.

Curated by Katherine Don and George Chang, they say this project “is devoted to exploring the medium of artist books and text-based art works and combines our obsessions with books and art and paper things”.

“After rounding up more than twenty five artists to work with us on this, including some of our all-time favorites, its finally happening. We are really excited to make this show happen, the first of its kind in China, and hope you have a chance to come see it.” – Katherine Don, curator of ‘Do a Book’ Group Exhibition

Here is a taste of what’s to come: 

Tom Bell Hair Sketches (2007) Hair, hand-made paper, vellum 35 x 35 cm / 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 in Unique Photo Credit: Copyright Tom Bell

章 森 George Chang (b. 1973) One After Another (2004) Woodblock printing on paper and silk Box set of 8 small albums 16 x 11.5 x 1 cm 18 x 13 x 6.5 cm (box) Edition of 9

Ain Cocke Penetrating War Stories (2012) Book, Brass .45 Caliber Shel Casing, Rock Sugar, Death Valley Salt, Synthetic Fur from Children’s toy, Ink, Glitter. Size variable. Approximately 25 x 25 x 38 cm / 10 x 10 x 15 in. Unique

So what does all this mean? How are these books made into a medium of art?

“Through a variety of media and processes, the artists’ objects presented in this exhibition highlight the varied interpretations of the book: as a vessel for information or narrative, as an abstract form that transcends function, or as a medium referring to a book’s social role. The juxtaposition of these works created by artists of different backgrounds and from cities around the world provides a starting point for exploring the relationship between text and imagery, and in a broader sense, the role of the book in the arts.”

Some of the artists featured include:

Tom Bell, Lukas Birk,章森 George Chang, 张能杰 Rutherford Chang, 陳龍斌 Chen Longbin, Ain Cocke, 郭鸿蔚 Guo Hongwei, 洪浩 Hong Hao, 黄敏  Huang Min, Ravikumar Kashi, 孔国桥 Kong Guoqiao, 梁志和 Leung Chiwo, 刘任Liu Ren, 马军 Ma Jun, 掉对 Out collective, 庆庆 Qingqing, Kiki Smith, Sarah Sze, Rirkrit Tiravanija, 曾建華 Tsang Kinwah, Heimo Wallner, 王超 Wang Chao, Terry Winters & Ben Marcus, 徐冰 Xu Bing

If you’re keen to check out this exhibition, there’s also plenty other events going on in the Caochangdi area.  Make it an art day and check out other openings in the area including Chambers Fine Art, Alexander Ochs and Pekin Fine Art.

Event Details:

• Opening Date: Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 3PM-6PM
• Exhibition Dates: Feb 18^th  – Mar 18^th ,2012 
• Location: White Space Beijing 空白空间 in Caochangdi
• Address: 北京朝阳区机场辅路,草场地255号 100015, 
• No.255 Caochangdi, Airport Service Road, ChaoYang District, Beijing, 100015
• Tel: +86 10 84562054
• Curated by George Chang (章森) and Katherine Don (唐凯琳)

Chen Longbin陳龍斌(b.1964) Peeper Series 窥视系列 (2009) Used hardcover books with spyglass and model figurines Size variable. Approximately 21.5 x 15 x 5 cm; 21.5 x 15 x 5 cm; 23.3 x 15.5 x 3 cm; 24 x 16.5 x 4 cm; 24 x 16 x 3.5 cm Unique Photo Credit: Copyright Chen Longbin

WUHAO’s Water Winter Installation Party

“Wood-Spring’s freshness in the Chinese garden,

Fire-Summer’s expansion to Dashilar,

Metal-Fall’s breath between Zhujia and Mao’er hutong

…Time for Water-Winter to feed the magical Earth.”

5 Elements – 4 Seasons – 1 HOUSE

This Saturday, December 10th from 3.30 pm onwards, experience the transformative power of water and MPMP’s first collection.

“Magnetic black, silicon dresses, blue men, precious hair and standing bones, reflecto games, sweet cashmere and honey phoenix will search the sky-pond for new pearls of wisdom.” – WUHAO, Curated Shop

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
• Time: Starts at 3:30PM
• Location: WUHAO Curated Shop
• Address: No. 35, Mao’er Hutong, Dongcheng District, 市东城区帽儿胡同35号 (see map below)
• Tel: 18911355035
• Website: www.wuhaoonline.com

GtB’5: Raffles-BIFT Sustainable Design Showcase

“Working with materials like wood, metal, plastics & concrete, the students were challenged to design creative products while incorporating the ideas of sustainability into their projects.”

Showcasing special sustainable eco-design projects by the students of Raffles-BIFT International College, Beijing, this is part of the GtB’5: Green eARTh for Everyone event series.

Hosted by Raffles-BIFT, We Impact, and The Hutong, the event will be held this Saturday, December 10 from 2-5PM and they’ll be serving snacks from The Veggie Table and refreshments by Shangrila Farms.

The showcase “aims to bring about an awareness amongst the general public on the importance of sustainability issues and how creative design thinking can be used to bring about simple yet innovative changes to our lifestyle and the environment around us.”  

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 10
• Time: 2-5PM
• RSVP: Contact Michelle Yang michelle.yang@we-impact.com
• Tel: 158 1063 9522
• Website: www.we-impact.com

Kate Downie’s “The Concrete Hour” Solo Exhibition

“No space is denied the right to be poetic. The physical experience of a city entails its own artistic language.” – Kate Downie

“The Concrete Hour” is a solo exhibition by UK’s leading artist Kate Downie who will be presenting for the first time in China at Where Where Art Space in Caochangdi.

“Returning to Beijing for the second time this autumn, the acclaimed Royal Scottish Academy artist meets a city whose fabric spans a rupture between the teeming, irregular accumulation of human life and possessions in narrow hutongs and the overarching, regular forms of skyscrapers and apartment blocks erected beside vast roadways; in this city, there is no ‘middle scale’.”

With two live drawing events on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, anyone can witness this pictorial drama unfold as Kate Downie will be creating two large-scale drawings on the walls of the gallery.

“Its realisation marks a first-hand artistic event with which the encounter is a unique experience for both artist and audience.”

Curated by Iona Whittaker, the exhibition will also display a series of supporting works and a film of the artist’s recent performance drawing in the UK.

Works by Kate Downie

Event Details:

• Live Drawing Dates: Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 from 5-6PM
• Exhibition Opening: Saturday, November 26, 2011
• Curated by Iona Whittaker
• Location: Where Where Exhibition Space “哪里哪里” 艺术空间
• Address: No. 319-1, East End Art Zone A, Caochangdi Village, Chaoyang District 100015  北京市朝阳区草场地村319-1艺术东区A区内, 100015
• Contact: 159 1080 3790

About Kate Downie:

Over the past 20 years, Kate Downie has established herself as one of the UK’s leading artists, known equally for her drawing and printmaking as for her painting. Less well-known are her series of short performance Road Movies, initiated in Paris with ‘Child’s Play Traffic Jam’ (1989) followed by ‘Driven’ (Aberdeenshire 1999), ‘The Asphalt Sea’ (Norway 2007), and ‘Matchmaker’ in 2011. Her first major solo show was in 1982 in her native Aberdeen; since then her work has been exhibited throughout the world including in Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, France and the USA. Downie was President of the Society of Scottish Artists from 2004-2006, and was appointed a member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 2007. Her work is held in many public and private collections. Downie lives and works in Edinburgh.

AAB: Browse and Shop for New Artwork Online

Affordable Art Beijing (AAB) has launched new artwork by popular artists like Cui Jun, Guo Hongjie and Zhang Yuanfeng.

Browse new artwork here.

About Affordable Art Beijing (AAB): 

Affordable Art Beijing (AAB) was founded in 2006 and since its inception has grown to become one of the most important art events in the region.

AAB holds events and sells art work online to allow art lovers take home an original piece of contemporary art and also gives artists a platform to exhibit their work. With works selling from just a few hundred RMB, AAB has something for everyone’s style and budget.

3 Countries, 3 Artists: An Artist Exhibition Launch Party

“3 Countries 3 Artists: Fabien Mérelle, Shunsuke François Nanjo, Sun Xun”

This Saturday, October 8, Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery will be hosting the opening of their newest art exhibition – “3 Countries 3 Artists: Fabien Mérelle, Shunsuke François Nanjo, Sun Xun” from 4:00PM-6:00PM at their gallery in 798 Art District.

An introduction of these three featured artists:
 Sun Xun Works:

Born in 1980 in Fuxin, Liaoning province, Sun Xun graduated in 2005 from the printmaking department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China. While mainly a video artist, Sun Xun has also produced numerous drawings and mixed media works in which a central character, usually a magician, explores an apocalyptic and oneiric world.

Fabien Mérelle Works:

Born in 1981 in Fontenay-aux-Roses, Fabien Mérelle graduated from the National School of Fine Arts in Paris in 2006 with a 4 months exchange at the Xi’An Academy of Fine Arts. He produces small and meticulously executed drawings where his adult self battles with a perverted childhood universe.

Shunsuke François Nanjo Works:

Born in 1981 in Tokyo, Shunsuke François Nanjo graduated from Le Mirail University in Toulouse, France, in 2005. He uses painting, photography and installations to explore Heterotopia,which is the concept of space within spaces. Besides, he also aims to reveal the traces of memory that our experience leaves imprinted in the world.

All 3 artists have exhibited widely including the Drawing Center, New York, U.S.A, Guy Bartschi Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland, the Bencab Museum, Baguio City, Philippines and the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

The works of these three artists are all part of prestigious collections including Minsheng Bank Contemporary Art Collection, Florence and Daniel Guerlain Drawing Collection, and Platform China Contemporary Art Institute to mention a few.

This exhibition will be available from October 9-December 4 at Hadrien de Monteferrand Gallery in 798 Art District.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 8 October 2011
• Exhibition: Oct. 9-Dec. 4, 2011
• Time: 4-6PM
• Location: Hadrien de Monteferrand Gallery
• Address:  798 Art District,  Next to At Cafe; No 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu Chaoyang District
• Contact: +86 139 1165 1353
• Website: http://www.hdemontferrand.com

About Hadrien de Monteferrand Art Gallery:

One of Beijing’s leading contemporary galleries, Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery is the first in China to exclusively show contemporary works on paper. Through its exhibitions and unique relationship with international collectors, the Gallery promotes contemporary masters and emerging artists alike.  

Website: www.hdemontferrand.com/

BJ Design Week: Do the ‘Design Hop’ on Dashilar Alley

An incredibly interesting and historic street lined with various shops, restaurants and cafes, Dashilar Alley is currently featuring 20 different exhibitions and events from around the world.

“This is all a part of an effort to bring a renewed public awareness to Dashilar that, it is hoped, will help transform the area in a more sensitive, organic way. The aim is to attract Beijing’s creative community to the neighborhood while respecting, and engaging with, the local community population, historic urban fabric and rich layering of existing buildings.”

Many of these exhibitions have taken over vacant storefronts and other spaces are taken over by temporary artist installations and cafes, alongside pop-up shops from leading brands and independent boutiques.

Two of my favorite spaces in Dashilar Alley include: Wuhao Curated Design and Fashion Shop’s temporary take-over of an old brothel turned teahouse (located on Zhujia Hutong Alley) and also the former electrical relay factory showcasing various young talents from China and abroad (FEI Space with exclusive pop-up collaboration of Topshop and Topman collections, AnyShopStyle.com launching with London-based Chinese designer Yang Du and designers Ran and Manchit Au), with live music and entertainment throughout.

FEI Space: Featuring Topshop & Topman

AnyShopStyle.com Launch with Designer Yang Du

candy&caviar on AnyShopStyle.com

Tonight (Saturday, Oct. 1) is Time Out’s Readers’ Party featuring live hip-hop, pop-up photography, art and video installations and 5RMB beers courtesy of Rickshaw Roasters Cafe.

Take a LumDimSum Tour of Dashitar Alley’s Design Hop:

Dashilar Alley Lined with Exhibitions and Events

Introducing Nicholas Hanna’s Water Calligraphy Device:

Inspired by the Chinese custom of writing calligraphy in public spaces, this flat-bead tricycle is a ubiquitous form of transportation in Beijing that releases droplets of water, deposited in patterns to form Chinese characters. INCREDIBLE.

Chinese actress Zhou Xun created this exhibition with Design Week’s curator Aric Chen.  One of my favorite bits of The Factory, it’s a wonderful snapshot of life in Dashilan over the last century, explained through every day objects (colorful art sponsored by Diesel).

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WUHAO @ The Teahouse:

Wuhao and Tranquil Tuesdays’ pop up teahouse is housed in a derelict brothel on Zhujia Hutong (off Dashilar Xijie), that hasn’t been used  for 100 years. An amazing space and a great place to sip tea while browsing through beautiful clothing, accessories and furniture designs.

For all you foodies who might be wondering where to eat, I hear the homemade tacos are a must-try at the Kupa Studio’s pop-up cafe/bar. The same designers of Susu, Apothecary, etc. are sure to impress with both drinks and snacks!  Unfortunately, I missed out on these tacos as we arrived a bit late and ended up eating at another popular restaurant called Wonderwater Cafe, a conceptual takeover of a local restaurant encouraging diners to consider their “water footprint” when ordering food.  We tried to follow their advice and order more veggies and less “water-consuming” dishes, but the restaurant was entirely sold out of all greens!  I guess diners really were considering their water footprint at this cafe!

LDS Links:

Check out more information on Dashilar Alley’s Design Hop by clicking here - 

• Time Out Beijing’s Fashion Pop-Up
• WUHAO @ The Teahouse
• Dashilar Alley on Weibo
• AnyShopStyle.com
• Beijing Design Week Website
• Kupa Studio’s Pop-Up Cafe/Bar

Happy Hopping at Dashilar Alley!

Support Magic Hospital: Beijing ABC’s Kids Book

 “Laughter is the Best Medicine.”

Richard Robinson is a long time friend and Beijing expat who has a passion for sharing laughter through means of entertainment (he’s co-founder and producer of Chopschticks comedy shows and plays) and writing children’s books.

Beijing ABC’s is his first book, which he created to bring smiles and laughter to children through educational books with ALL proceeds being donated directly to Magic Hospital. Featuring simply adorable illustrations by Ren Fengmian, this will make a great gift for kids of all ages.

“At 52-pages and full-color, it’s filled with fun rhymes and illustrations. As a bonus it features some Chinese words in both character and pinyin format making it both a fun and educational read for the whole family!” 

With each book at RMB 88, just remember: ALL proceeds of this book go directly to Magic Hospital!

To order a copy of Beijing ABC’s, please contact Magic Hospital’s fundraising manager – fundraising@magichospital.org or communications@magichospital.org.

Some Snapshots of Beijing ABC’s Book:

Background Info for Magic Hospital:

Magic Hospital strives to help in the healing of sick, abused, neglected and  orphaned children by restoring an element of fun in their day. They design and implement activities and programs for those children who are temporarily or permanently deprived of a carefree childhood.  

“Bringing fun and laughter to children across China”

Magic Hospital Website:  http://www.magichospital.org/

Sept. 26-Oct.3: Beijing Design Week 2011

“To consider design is to consider the world and almost everything in it.  Designers can illuminate the soul and explore why we act the way we do.” – James Wilkinson, Time Out Beijing

During Beijing Design Week, there is a whole lot going on.  There isn’t quite a published schedule of events yet, but you can be sure to get the following:

• More than 130 different activities will be launched
• More than 30 international events
• Over 90 Chinese exhibitions
• Festival venues include about 100 design landmarks in Beijing, such as Tsinghua University, Yonghe Park, China Design Market, Dashilar, 751D•PARK, and Sanlitun Village
• More than 60 famous brands will be involved
• 800 international designers will be coming to Beijing

There are things going on all over the city, but a highlight is definitely Time Out Beijing’s Fashion Pop-up Shop.

Time Out Fashion Pop-Up Shop Features:

1. Beijing Past & Present Design Competition limited edition gift shop

2. Time Out Beijing (Chinese version) fashion photography exhibition

3. Time Out Beijing fashion expert talks at the Rickshaw Roasters Café area

4. Launch of online fashion boutique AnyShopStyle.com

5. Showroom of Dongliang Studio’s new A/W ‘11 collections

6. Exclusive China launch of UK retail giant Topshop and showcase of further Topman collections, in collaboration with FEI Space

7. Time Out Beijing Readers’ Party on Saturday 1 October

Check out Time Out Beijing for the inside scoop on what-not-to-miss this week here.

Beijing Design Week Info:

• Dates: September 26 – October 3
• Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee Contact Details:
  • Address: 13th Floor, Block A, Gehua Tower, No.1 Qinglong Hutong, Dongcheng District
  • Tel: 010-84186996
  • Email: info@bjdw.org
  • Website: www.bjdw.org

China’s Brightest Artists: The Creator’s Project 2011

Spanning three days and bringing together some of China’s brightest creative minds, alongside innovative artists and musicians from overseas, The Creator’s Project is back in Beijing from September 15-18 in the world famous 798 Art District partnering with UCCA gallery.

For 3 days straight, you can have your fill of music, film and art.

MUSIC: They will be hosting performances by Mount Kimbie, Supermarket, PK14, Glasser, Optimo and Zhang Shouwang of the famed Chinese indie rock band Carsick Cars.

FILM: They will also be premiering a selection of shorts by Ray Lei, a new film by Peng Lei, Runscape by Map Office, Spike Jonze and Arcade Fire’s Scenes from the Suburbs, and Logorama by H5.

ART:  All weekend, we’ll have a wide variety of interactive installations on display including new work from Aaajiao, Francis Lam (aka DbDbking) and Joao Vasco Paiva, Feng Mengbo’s brand new Bruce Lee VJ Project, Life on Mars Revisitedby David Bowie, Mick Rock and Barney Clay and Room With A View by UVA.

Click here for full rundown of performances, installations, film screenings and workshops and panels.

To RSVP for The Creator’s Project, please click here and sign  yourself up!

Here’s what went down at The Creator’s Project 2010.

The Creator’s Project Event Details:

• Date: September 15-18, 2011
• Time: Throughout each day
• Addresses:
  • For musical performances:
    • 798 Space: 4 Jiuxianqiao Road Chaoyang District, Beijing China
  • For exhibitions, panels and films:
    • UCCA: 798 Art District, No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District Beijing, China 100015
• Website: http://www.thecreatorsproject.com/events/the-creators-project-beijing-2011

‘Red Memory’ on Display at The Opposite House

“Chen Wenling’s distinctive sculptures evoke an intensity that reflects his own life-embracing personality and an unflinching look at his environment.”

Inspired by the innocent and carefree children playing in the Chinese countryside, “Red Memory” is a series of sculptures created by Chen Wenling. Made of bronze and auto-grade paint “drenched in his signature fire-engine car duco red is a testament of the artist’s fiery attitude towards life”.

Presented by Red Gate Gallery, the installation will be on display in the atrium of The Opposite House until mid-September 2011.

“The glossy figures with an emboldened blend of cheeky expressions and arresting poses are a celebratory call to embrace the inner child in everyone.”

- Anthony Ross, GM of Swire Hotel Group

LumDimSum Snapshots of Red Memory by Chen Wenling:

The Opposite House

Building 1, No.11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing China 100027

Tel: +86 10 6417 6688

www.theoppositehouse.com