UCCA’s Hungry Eyes: Satisfy Your Art & Culture Cravings

This week is Member’s Week, hence the fact that UCCA has got a ton of well-thought-out activities and programs from special tours of art areas to this Wednesday’s “Hungry Eyes” Event. This one just happened to catch my eye as a meaningful and worthwhile art event…and the event includes a complete means to satisfy  your cravings for art, culture AND tummy.

Head out to 798 Art District for both a floor talk and tour of targeted exhibitions led by the members of UCCA’s curatorial department and also, an intimate lunch at SWITCH!

Click here for a list of the exhibitions that will be featuring in their tour.

“Gain a fuller understanding of our currently exhibiting artists and their work with this special behind the scenes opportunity.”

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2011
• Time: 12:00-13:30
• Fee:  UCCA Members RMB 60, RMB 100 for non-members
• Location: SWITCH!
• Address: 酒仙桥路4号798 艺术区北京8503
• RSVP Required: members@ucca.org.cn
• Event Website: Click here.

UCCA: Rong Rong Gives You the Real Caochangdi

“The genius of Caochangdi is that it has the sort of DNA for a ‘vibrant city. It should be looked at and seen as a laboratory for the future. Caochangdi has the ability and energy to keep transforming itself and to keep evolving and accomplish what the city is really after.”

- Robert Mangurian, professor at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and established B.A.S.E. Studios in Caochangdi in 2006

Dubbed by The New York Times as “the frontier for Chinese art”, Caochangdi is really just  a small urban village outside the Fifth Ring Road occupying less than a square kilometer, but it’s on the Beijing map as its foremost art zone destination (surpassing 798 Art District even).

This Sunday, August 14, UCCA has organized an insiders’ walking tour of Beijing’s  Caochangdi art district for all interested in getting a more personable tour of Caochangdi’s community of artists, designers, curators and gallerists.  Led by celebrated artist Rong Rong, he will lead a tour of this unique art zone stopping at key galleries and finishing with afternoon tea and a private introduction of his own venue, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre.

Designed by renowned artist and architect Ai Weiwei, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre is a non-profit art centre in Beijing established in 2007 by photographers RongRong and Inri.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011
• Time: 15:00-17:00
• Fee:  Members Fee is free, but RMB 100 for non-members
• Location: Three Shadows Photography and Arts Centre
• Address: 三影堂摄影艺术中心, 北京市朝阳区草场地155号, 邮编 100015
• Tel: + 86 10 6432 2663
• RSVP Required: members@ucca.org.cn
• Website: http://www.threeshadows.cn/
• Event Website: Click here.

About Rong Rong:

Rong Rong lives and works in Beijing. One of China’s most renowned photographers, he was heavily involved with China’s early contemporary art scene in Beijing’s East Village in the 1990s. He rose to prominence through an early series of hauntingly poetic and socially conscious works., many of which were documenting this period. His marriage to wife Inri in 2000 marked the start of an important artistic partnership that continues to present day. He founded the Three Shadows Center for Photography in 2007, establishing an important platform for young and emerging photographers throughout China.

Putting A ‘Spin’ On It

It’s happening…I’ve reached that point in my life when everyone I know is starting to get married…lucky for me, Spin Ceramics has been my savior for every wedding I’ve been invited to thus far.  Spin Ceramics has really been a gem of a find and I want to share this incredible store with my LumDimSum friends.

With beautiful ceramic art design with traditional Chinese touch, these pieces are all as beautiful as they are exquisite and unique. Featuring designs by a group of talented Shanghainese artists, you can see the different faces who are behind each of these masterpieces. With a trend towards innovative Japanese style, they offer everything from beautiful tea sets to Japanese sake sets, bowls, giant coffee mugs, vases and original serving platters.  And an added bonus – everything is reasonably priced and with every purchase, they provide simple, yet elegant gift wrapping with all purchases, Spin Ceramics is your answer if you are in the search for gifts that are not only practical, but original and exquisitely beautiful.

Spin Ceramics Contact Details:

• Address: Across from Element Fresh in Lido, 6 Fangyuan Xi Lu Chaoyang  朝阳区芳园西路6号
• Tel: 6437 8649
• Email: spinceramics@126.com

LumDimSum Snapshots of Spin Ceramics:

Paper Terrestrials “Landing Series” Launch Event

“The Paper Terrestrials series is truly awesome. We have worked with some of the most exciting artists from across China, and the prints look totally rock ‘n’ roll.”

Paper Terrestrials will be launching with a gallery show and launch party  this coming Saturday, July 23 from 5-9PM at tSpace.

Debuting a series of limited edition silk screen prints, the Summer 2011 Paper Terrestrials “Landing” Series includes works by Yan Wei, Ray Lei, Tang Yan, Nod Young and Chairman Ca.

“All our works are archival, hand-pulled silk screen prints using high quality inks on 300g, 100% cotton-fiber, neutral Ph, acid-free, imported Somerset and Arches printmaking paper.”

“Vivisection” by Yan Wei

“Characteristic of Yan Wei’s work,Vivisection exhibits consummate line work, dripping contours, an unearthly kid and a touch of gore.”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 23 July 2011
• Time: 5-9PM
• Location: tSpace
• Address: 9 Yuxin Street, Xuanwu District
• Contact: gallery@paper-t.com
• Website: http://www.paper-t.com/

Works on Paper: Cai Jin’s Exhibition Opening Party

This Saturday, July 9, Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery will be hosting the opening of their newest art exhibition – “Cai Jin: Works on Paper” from 3:00PM-6:00PM at their gallery in 798 Art District.

Exhibited widely including the Chicago Museum of Arts, the Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, the Today Art Museum, Cai Jing’s works have been part of prestigious collections including Ullens, Sigg, and the National Art Museum of China.

Cai Jin is known for her “Bananaplants Series”. For this series, Cai Jin used the same and unique palette of red and purple to depict the contradiction between the growing energy of the plant and its inevitable decomposition.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 9 July 2011
• Time: 3-6PM
• 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.

Pop On Over to Beijing’s New Pop-Up Brunch ft. Photo Exhibition by Helen Couchman

If you love food made from scratch, sangria and bright, airy spaces, check out the new POP-UP BRUNCH concept every Sunday at Amilana/ALUSS Art Photography Space.

I brunched with the usual suspects this past Sunday and we were crazy for their homemade baked goods (muffins, bagels and waffles!).

For only RMB 50, you can have your choice of 2 courses from the following:

1st Course:

• Cold, savory gazpacho with almond base
• Homemade blackberry muffin with seasonal garniture
• Seasonal fruit salad with homemade creme fraiche

2nd Course:

• Bacon & leek quiche with fresh salad (vegetarian option available)
• Homemade BAGELS from Hegel’s Bagels with salmon, creme cheese, red onions and capers
• Homemade lemon and cucumber ice cream with fresh waffles

To make the deal even better, just add another RMB 25 for a cup of coffee, tea or glass of sangria!

With each option sounding so delicious, we couldn’t help but try it all!

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Brunch Dishes:

Cold Gazpacho Soup / Homemade Blackberry Muffin

Seasonal Fruit Salad / Bacon & Leek Quiche

Homemade Hegel’s Bagel with Smoked Salmon / Fresh Waffles with Homemade Ice Cream

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Second Edition Pop-Up Brunch:

Event Details:

• Date: Every Sunday until the end of July
• Time: 10:00AM-3:00PM
• Location: AMILANA/Aluss Art and Photography Space
• Address:  Across the street from North gate of Nanluoguxiang: 141 GULOUDONGDAJIE
• RSVP: Text – 13371673102 or 18210138655 or email: popupbrunchbj@gmail.com

On a related note, from now until July 9th, friend and very talented photographer Helen Couchman will be holding a photo exhibition in the same space (a big added bonus to your next pop-up brunch experience!).

“Couchman has headed out into the streets armed with a camera and three mirrors. The mirrors are used to fuse the different elements of the photographed scenes, both material and immaterial.  The result is not the illusion of a cityscape but rather an intimate yet distant exploration of the fabric, and texture of a city whose detail as well as vistas are in flux.”

LumDimSum Snapshots of Helen Couchman’s Exhibition of New Work:

This new photographic series seeks the texture and the vistas of the hutongs that have undergone this process of destruction. As Couchman says, the project aims, “to explore what I can see of the land – literally the earth and fabric of the city. It has a performative angle: process, construction, dirt, proximity and distance are all evident in these images. This is what I am working with.”

Helen Couchman Exhibition Details:

• Dates: From 19th June – 9 July, 2011
• Time: 4pm-late
• Location: Aluss Art Photography Space
• Address: 2nd Floor, 141 Gulou Dongdajie, Beijing
• Tel: 8400-2628
• Website: www.helencouchman.com

LumDimSum 1-on-1 with Mr. AAB: Tom Pattinson

“Buying your first artwork is a bit like a first tattoo or first hit of smack.”

- Tom Pattinson, AAB Founder & Director

Affordable Art Beijing 2011 is upon us with doors opening this weekend for 2 FULL days of non-stop art mania.

From 10AM on May 14 until 6PM on May 15, there will be around 900 works of original Chinese contemporary art for sale.  From small prints to large oil paintings, hand-painted sculptures and photography, each piece of art has been hand-picked from the 12,000 works that were originally submitted.

With a wide range of emerging Chinese artists, styles and price (from as little as RMB 200 to a maximum cap of RMB 20,000), there is something for everyone.

“I personally am very excited this year as the quality of work is truly exceptional and I’m going to be very jealous of many people who snap up some beautiful works.”

Whether you are an avid art collector, someone curious in the development of emerging Chinese artists or just out for a fun day of “window shopping” for art, stop by AAB this weekend and who knows, maybe something will catch your eye and you may even catch the art-bug!

Six years strong, AAB Founder and Director Tom Pattinson gives LumDimSum the inside scoop to how AAB first came about, how it’s influenced China’s art world and why he’d rather spend money on buying a piece of art over going on a holiday trip!

Name:  Tom Pattinson

Age:  32

Nationality:  British

Occupation: AAB Director / Media man

Company Name: Affordable Art Beijing / Bespoke Beijing

Years in Beijing:  nearly 9 in total

LumDimSum Goes 1-on-1 with Mr. AAB, Tom Pattinson

LDS: As the founder of AAB, what inspired you to start your own art fair in Beijing? How did AAB first come about?

I’ve always had a passion for art and when I moved back to Beijing in 2005 found myself getting very much into the contemporary Chinese art scene. At the time my office was in 798 and we’d see some incredible art on a daily basis but it was mostly out of my price range at the time. For Valentines Day in 2006, I bought my girlfriend a painting from a friend who had a gallery specializing in emerging artists and it went from there. I realised that there were affordable artists out there and there were obviously more people like me who were keen on starting a collection but with a limited budget. Two months after Valentines Day we held the first AAB in 798.

LDS: Since it’s beginnings to today, how do you think AAB has impacted the art industry/culture in China?

Before AAB there was very little in the way of an emerging art market in China. Galleries and events very much focused on the more established artists. However, I think AAB has really helped create a new market for emerging and mid-level artists and have proved that this can be done. There are many galleries and also the major art fairs also have introduced more affordable sections which benefits not just those artists but helps deepen the art market in China as a whole. We now really have a bottom-up art market in China rather than just a top down market.

LDS: As with the start of any new venture, I’m sure there have been many obstacles and unforeseen nuances along with unexpected rewards. What have been the most absurd challenges and what has been the most rewarding aspect of AAB?

There was a time where people thought selling affordable art was a stupid idea, a lot of galleries and art experts were not that sold on the idea and even artists weren’t too sure but after the success of the first few years a lot of people wanted to be involved.

The main challenges are generally those with putting on a major event in China – agreements, partners, prices – all can suddenly change for no reason and costs can spiral out of control.  We’ve also had a lot of people, companies and organizations from across China pretending to be us. I’m pleased that now after 6 years there are many galleries and events that focus on emerging artists and affordable art because this benefits everyone – both the buyers and the artists – but we’ve had people pretending they are us and selling low quality work at high prices which obviously could affect our reputation.

For me, the most rewarding aspects are getting to know some incredibly talented artists and seeing their careers progress. Of course good artists will always do well but I like to think that AAB gives them a step up on to that ladder of career artists.

LDS: When did you first develop an interest for art?

My mother has always been artistic and taught art – she still paints and teaches art today – and we used to go painting together from a very young age. I did art at GCSE and A-Level at school and was considering studying fine art at art school – but ultimately I’m not talented enough to be an artist. But art has always been a part of my life, if not as an artist then as an art lover at least.

LDS: Would you consider yourself an avid art collector?

Buying your first artwork is a bit like a first tattoo or first hit of smack. It does become addictive and you realise how you spend money changes. If it’s a choice between an art work and a holiday then the holiday might be put on hold for a while. I buy works because I like the look of them or they make me laugh or because I like the artist or because they’ll fit in the right corner of my house but not really because I think they’re going to be valuable. I now try to have an annual art budget, which I will spend on art but no more otherwise it can get a bit silly.

LDS: What are three attributes of a great artist?

An original style, an idea that is relevant and new technique/skill.

LDS: In your expert opinion, what does it mean to be an artist?

I’d firstly certainly not call myself an expert there are a great many experts in this city of which I would not class myself as one. But I think anyone can be an artist. An artist is someone who expresses themselves, their thoughts, their views on society or their own lives. This can be through music, writing, art or any other number of mediums. An artist should be able to express a point, make a statement or capture a moment – a feeling – and translate it to appeal to a wider audience.

LDS: Who is currently your favorite artist of all time and why?

My favourite artist is normally the artist whose work I have just bought or a great show I’ve just seen so it could be any number of artists. I’ve got a big thing for Kong Lingnan right now. I did a show with her before Christmas last year and she’s showing at the UCCA at the moment. She’s also a lovely person as well as a great artist!

LDS: What kind of art do you proudly display on the walls of your home?

I’ve got a weird mix of things I’ve picked up over the last five or six years. I have a Shengqi painting, a LED work from Island 6 and an excellent collage from Gongka all in our living room, but pride of place in our house is a work we’ve dubbed “the Big Baby”, by a young artists called Guo Hongjie.

LDS: Is there any kind of art you shamefully admit to have a weakness for?

I’m currently into dark humour works. Things that are a bit cheeky, a bit dark and a bit evil. Not sure if that says something about my current stage of mind but I think I like the fact that some of these young artists are producing light-hearted works that have a bit of an edge to them rather than a lot of sappy nonsense we’re often forced to suffer.

LDS: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and particularly with Chinese contemporary art, how do you gauge what pieces are worthy of making it as a participating piece in AAB?

Good question. It’s partly experience of knowing what is popular and what will sell to our audience, it’s partly what I personally like and it’s also a bit of luck. We had around 1,000 artists apply to take part this year, which made it much harder to pick out the best artists. There are three or four in our team and we all look through them together. There are at least three rounds of checking before we make a final decision. Some artists are easy to pick, some are also easy to reject but there are many who are stuck in the middle and it’s difficult to decide whether it is excellent or just very average.

Over 2 months, nearly 15,000 art works, three or four rounds of selection we finally manage to pick out our favourite 1,000 art works.

LDS: How will this year be different from past AAB fairs?

We’ve increased the maximum price from 10,000 RMB to 20,000 RMB – this is mainly to ensure we can retain some of the best quality art work in the emerging art market. 10,000 RMB six years ago used to go a lot further than it does today.

LDS: Which artists are you most excited about this year?

There are dozens of them that I have my eye on but we have picked Yang Rui as our poster girl this year – I’m a big fan.

LDS: Have there been one or two artists who have consistently sold the most pieces?

Chen Yu’s laquered flowers are always very popular and so is Ma Weihong’s Cultural Revolution inspired works are too. Both sell very well and prices are still reasonable, although creeping up year on year.

LDS: What is the most unexpected/ridiculous art purchase you have witnessed at one of AAB’s art fairs?

A couple of years ago we had a huge sculpture work made up of six human-sized feline-faced sculptures. They were pretty scary and not something I’d have in the corner of my house. These huge monsters stood in the corner of the venue for the weekend glaring out and I thought that no one would be interested in them. But then someone bought the whole lot and shipped them off to a restaurant in Germany. It’s then you realise that actually there really is something for everyone at AAB.

LDS: What is the ratio of newbie artists vs. AAB artist veterans?

75% new I would estimate. Many of our artists grow beyond us, which is great, so we always have to find new talent.

LDS: What is the ratio of art pieces you genuinely like vs. pieces you select for the general public?

The vast majority I actually like. There are a small fraction that aren’t as suitable to my tastes but this is because my tastes are permanently changing and evolving. But I want to make sure that there is something not just for everyone’s budget but also for everyone’s taste too.

LDS: About how many people do you expect to rush through this 2 day fair?  And what percentage of these people will actually purchase an art piece?

I hope to see up to about 8,000 people come through over the 2 days. I would expect about 4oo people to buy works so that’s only a small percentage. But it’s not just about the sales. It’s great for visitors to see that art doesn’t have to be expensive or exclusive but something they might be able to afford. It’s also great for the public to interact with the artists who are often present and just have a fun day out.

Thousands turned up last year with a massive line outside, selling an average of 2 pieces per minute in the first few hours of the fair. This year, be smart, get there before the crowds and do your research ahead of time!

LDS: You like to cook, if AAB was a dish, what would it be?

A nice, fresh bouillabaisse – nice and exotic with fresh and high quality ingredients, but can never really be made the same way twice.

LDS: Of all the places in the world, why have you chosen Beijing as your home?

It’s about as different as you can get from suburban UK and there is so much to do here.

Every day I think of a new idea, a new thing I’d like to do and to be involved in the creative industries and art world is wonderful. We really are in a place and time that we’ll be able to look back on in years to come and say  “I was a part of that”.

LDS: Top 3 Dining Destinations in Beijing?

Dali Courtyard – a great, affordable and easy option for impressing out-of-town visitors

Chuan’r man on Babaokeng hutong – best chuan’r, still 1 RMB a stick and he’s right outside our office!

Agua – for good lunch with a nice bottle of wine.

LDS: Top 3 Drinking Destinations in Beijing?

Salud – for late night drinking – never remember leaving that place

Mesh – for after work meetings and great cocktails

Migas Rooftop – for the summer at least (D-lounge for the winter)

*For a taste of the range of artwork you can expect to see this coming weekend, click here for previous LumDimSum Article: AAB’s 6th Annual Art Fair

LumDimSum Super Sweepstakes:

Get on the invite-only guest list for AAB’s VIP Preview Party on Friday, May 13. All of the art will be on display and these guests get first dibs!  LumDimSum is giving away 4 pairs of tickets, email me directly for your chance to win! kristen@lumdimsum.com

AAB Art Fair 2011 Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 14 – Sunday, May 15
• Time: 10AM-6PM
• Location: 798 Art Space in 798 Art District (see below for map)
• Website: www.affordableartbeijing.com

LDS Snapshots: VW Pecha Kucha at Sanlitun Orange

Packed inside with a line out the door, I quickly popped in to check out the VW Pecha Kucha Event at Sanlitun Orange on Saturday afternoon.

In the theme of “Future & Mobility”, the event featured 12 Speakers who each presented 20 slides x 20 seconds each.

I’ve taken a few snapshots to give you a glimpse into the event, but to be honest, the weather was just too good outside to stay indoors!

LumDimSum Snapshots of VW Pecha Kucha Event at Sanlitun Village Orange Space:

My Favorite Pick for a VW Mobile

Future Mobility: Pecha Kucha Beijing Volume No.17

Pecha Kucha’s Sole Purpose: To Make You Wiser Than You Already Are

This Saturday, May 7, 2011, Pecha Kucha will be introducing 12 specialists and creative people from various fields reaching from the Automotive Industry, Education, Literature and Science to Architecture and the Arts to each explore the future of their fields and the future of mobility in China.

Originally devised in Tokyo, PechaKucha is a global yet local non-profit discussion platform that exists to host events for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.  Since it’s inception in 2003, this event has since expanded into hundreds of cities around the world, “inspiring creatives worldwide”.

“Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of conversation (“chit chat”), it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.”

In their 17th event in Beijing, Pecha Kucha’s “Future & Mobility” event will invite the following 12 Speakers to present 20 slides x 20 seconds each:

Christoph Klemmt Architect Or Project

Cory Grenier Marketing Director Lenovo

Matthew Niederhauser Photographer

Georg Jansen Lecturer

Sathoshi Ohashi Chief Architect Zaha Hadid Architects

Huan Chen Chief Editor Top Gear Magazine

Georg Warga Chief Designer Volkswagen

Miriam Deller Director Corepower Asia

Zhang Yiqing Consultant Linya International Ltd

Nels Frye Chief Editor Life Style Magazine

Wil Manning Art Director G2 Studio

Niko de La Faye Artist

Phil Tinari Chief Editor Leap Magazine

Tian Shen Professor Beijing University

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 7
  
• Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM
• Location: The Orange (Sanlitun Village)
  
• Address: 三里屯Village橙色大厅（大屏幕下面）
• Contact: Email Nicky Meng at nicky7boy@sogou.com  or phone at 86+ 134 2618 7732

Works on Paper: Mao Yan Exhibition Opening Party

This Saturday, April 23, Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery is hosting the opening party of its new exhibition, “Mao Yan: Works on Paper”.

Mao Yan has exhibited widely including at the Denmark’s Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen, the National Gallery of San Paolo, Brazil and the Minsheng Art Museum in Shanghai, China.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 23
  
• Time: 3PM-6PM
• Location: Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery

• Address: 798 Art District, No 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu
• Tel: 139 1165 1353
• www.hdemontferrand.com

+1SPACE Opening Party with Visual Artist Tie Ying

After a successful artist exhibition launch media dinner at after-party at ROOMbeijing, +1SPACE in Pingod hosted the official Tie Ying New Works Exhibition Launch Party for the release of his newest art series – “The World Is Yours” together with his other art series including “3 Seconds” and “Masses”.

Hosted by Jiayi Li, owner of +1SPACE and the inspiration behind ROOMbeijing’s new Artist Project series, the private launch event attracted many art industry and media tycoons for a lively party with delicious canapes courtesy of ROOMbeijing, a fully-stocked bar (a permanent fixture and attraction of +1SPACE) and smooth tunes by DJ Mo Li.

Tie Ying’s New Works Exhibition will continue to be on display in both +1SPACE in Pingod and ROOMbeijing until mid-May.

LumDimSum Snapshots of +1SPACE Opening Party:

Featured Visual Artist Tie Ying and +1SPACE owner Jiayi Li

+1SPACE:

22 Street, Pingod Community #6 -­078, Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Tel: (86)10-5826-3407, (86) 1370-137-5811

*Advanced Visit Appointments Recommended

Tie Ying: “The World Is Yours” Exhibition Launch Party

“Any record of events can ignite a fresh understanding and reevaluation of the things considered already known and maybe unknown. I want to present a new perspective on life’s dilemmas and confirm the supremacy of freedom of thought and expression whilst demonstrating the absurdities and conflicts between them.”

- Tie Ying, visual artist featured at ROOMbeijing’s new Artists Project

This coming Friday, April 8 will mark the launch of ROOMbeijing’s Artist Projects featuring Tie Ying’s newest series of art works.

Tie Ying is a visual artist originally from Harbin, China and has exhibited all over the world – most recently at Cath Alexandrine Danneskiold-Samsoe Gallery in Copenhagen, Denmark, and he will be the first featured artist to be invited to display some of his large pieces of artwork as a part of a month-long exhibition beginning this coming Friday night at 7:00PM.

Art works by Tie Ying focus on the diversity and variability of individual perception and the language of art. Inspired by current news and utilizing photographs from the internet and other media sources, Tie Ying inputs his own perspective to extend the significance of the image to provide a broader perspective for his audience to realize and uncover the relationship between the world and humanity among the never-ending cycle of changes in the world.

“I’m willing to express the dilemma of life and the vertices of freedom on thinking and expression from a wholly different angle, meanwhile to show the absurdity and contradictory between the two.” – Tie Ying

‘The World Is Yours Art Series’ by Tie Ying

The strong personal style and conceptual thinking embodied in his works have drawn much attention and recognition from many renowned art organizations and personal art collectors around the world. Tie Ying has mounted a number of solo exhibitions in many influential galleries worldwide, notably Malborough Gallery in New York and Mai 36 Gallery in Zurich.

To celebrate this event in style, the artist will be introducing his displayed artwork at ROOMbeijing this Friday from 7:00PM-10:00PM followed by an after party with ladies treated to complimentary cocktails from 10PM-11PM and guest superstar DJ Keza will be back in Beijing doing what he does best – firing up the dance floor for a night to remember.

*Tie Ying’s most recent series of art works — “The World Is Yours” will be released at +1SPACE in 22 International Art Plaza (by Pingod Apartment’s Today Art Museum) on April 10,^th 2011 together with his other art series created in recent years.

+1SPACE will be hosting the official Tie Ying New Works Exhibition Launch Party on Sunday, April 10

(contact me directly for more details: kristen@lumdimsum.com)

’3 Seconds’ by Tie Ying

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, April 8, 2011
• Time:  7:00PM-late
• Price: Free Entrance & Ladies enjoy complimentary cocktails from 10:00PM-11:00PM
  
• Location: ROOMbeijing
• Address: 301-302, 3/F, PARK LIFE, Beijing Yintai Center, 2 Jianguomenwai Street, 建国门外大街2号, 银泰中心3层
• Tel: 58699038

Save the Date: AAB’s 6th Annual Art Fair

Affordable Art Beijing (AAB)’s 6th Annual Art Fair is officially set for Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, 2011 in The 798 Space in the center of Beijing’s 798 Art District.

The most highly anticipated art fair of the year, AAB has hand-picked over 1,000 works of original Chinese contemporary art.  From small prints to large oil paintings, hand painted sculptures and photography, all pieces will be on sale from a few hundred RMB up to a maximum price of RMB 20,000.

“We’ve already received twice as many artist applications as last year which means we’ve got a lot more quality art to pick from. Out of the 5,000 works of art which have been submitted to us, we will show less than 1,000.  This year we’ve really focused on seeking out the highest quality of art available and we think we’ve found some real gems. It takes all year of visiting art schools, artist villages and studios to pick out the works we think are the best value available.”

– Tom Pattinson, AAB Founder

Working together with new talent and established artists all around China, AAB’s Art Fair is the largest of its kind in China and many of its featured artists have gone on to international acclaim and significant success.

A Selection of Artworks to be Featured at AAB’s 6th Annual Art Fair

For a chance to get a sneak preview of a few select pieces of artwork, AAB is teaming up with JUE Music + Art Festival for a lively evening of BBQ + Beers this Friday, March 25 at their beautiful hutong courtyard space.  More details here.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15
• Time:  10AM-6PM
• Location: The 798 Space
• Address: Ceramic 3 St. 798 Road, 798 Art District, 4. Jiuxianqiao Road, Beijing.
• Website: www.affordableartbeijing.com

AAB + JUE = BBQ Chuar & Beer

As the weather heats up, Affordable Art Beijing (AAB) kicks off the first of their series of summer office parties with JUE (觉) Music & Art Festival.

This coming weekend – Friday & Saturday, March 25 & 26 - AAB will be opening their doors for an early preview of their annual spring art fair.

With the backdrop of a beautiful hutong courtyard, AAB will showcase a selection of art work from this year’s AAB event.  Guaranteed to be a jolly good time, come out for BBQ ch’uar and beers on Friday March 25^th and check out some art while meeting some fun friends along the way.

The following day, Saturday, March 26 will be another window of opportunity for interested art collectors to view/purchase art work before it hits the masses in mid-May.  Doors will be open to the public from 12noon to 6PM.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday & Saturday, March 25 & 26
• Time:  Friday, March 25 – 6:00PM- onwards; Saturday, March 26: 12PM-6PM
• Location: AAB/Bespoke/Outdustry Office HQ
• Address: 6 Babaokeng Hutong, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng district, Beijing Google Map
• Website: www.affordableartbeijing.com

AAB/Bespoke/Outdustry HQ

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.

JUE (觉): Awaken to a Celebration of Arts & Music

觉 / JUE (pronounced joo-eh) - verb: to sense; to awaken

An independent urban arts and music festival in both Shanghai and Beijing, JUE (觉) is a collection of alternative, creative and progressive arts and music events over a three-week period from March 12-April 3.

What you can expect:

• Almost 100 artists
• 42 venues
• 22 concerts
• 22 art exhibitions
• 5 live comedy events
• 5 spoken word events
• 4 theatre/performance art productions
• 4 workshops
• 4 film screenings

Presented by Split Works, JUE is now in its 3rd year and with a diverse collection of art, theatre and film events along with major music gigs including one of my favorite groups – the deftly danceable Scandinavian group – The Whitest Boy Alive performing this Tuesday, March 15 at Tango.

JUE (觉) Event Highlights:

• Kite at the Bookworm (3.12): A modern take on the most ancient Asian traditional of strings and drums. 8-10PM, FREE
• “Slap, Rap, Words” Bookworm Literary Festival Event (3.12): Festival guest slam poets Omar Musa and Kelly-Lee Hickey battle Chinese hip-hop artists at Dos Kolegas at 11PM, RMB 50
• 19 Solo Shows on Painting (3.13): Opening Reception at 3PM at Platform China Space A & B (click here for details)
• *The Whitest Boy Alive (3.15): Deftly Danceable Scandinavian Efficiency @ 3rd floor of Tango, 7:30PM, RMB 130 (presale)/ RMB 180 (door)
• Vitalic with Pet Conspiracy, Liman, A.M.U, VJ Zhiqi (3.17): Like Daft Punk – a world leading electronic producer. 9:30PM @ Star Live RMB 80 presale/RMB 120 at door
• IMPROVISE 2 with Beijing Improv & LDTX (3.19): Joint dance and theatre improv performance at LDTX studios, RMB 80
• Shanren (山人) Concert (3.18): Chinese Folk, Reggae-Rockified. 9-11PM @ Tango RMB 60 presale/RMB 80 at door
• *The Besnard Lakes (3.19): A good Canadian Band “like the Beach Boys when it’s calm, and Queen when it’s crunchy.” 9-11PM @ Mao Livehouse RMB 60 presale/RMB 80 at door
• The Black Atlantic (3.23): Acoustic pop band from the Netherlands. @ Mao Livehouse (ticket and time TBA, click here for more info)
• *AAB 2011 Preview Party (3.25): Beer, BBQ and Art @ AAB’s beautiful courtyard space. 6PM, FREE
• *WHALE! and Friends Dance Party (3.25): 200 tons of danceable rock and electronica, 11PM @ School Bar, FREE
• Panbianr Independent Film Screenings & Discussions (3.26-3.27): 2 day discussion and showings of a dozen documentaries, narrative features, and shorts. From 12PM-8PM at HomeShop (click here for info) RMB 100 for 2 day pass,
• Abaji (3.27): A man with over 250 instruments. 7:30-9:30PM @ Jianghu Bar, RMB 30

For a full event run-down, check out their website: www.juefestival.com

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, March 12 – April 3, 2011
• Location: All over Beijing & Shanghai
• Tickets: http://www.juefestival.com/11/en/?page_id=1124

• Website: www.juefestival.com

LumDimSum Super Sweepstakes

For your chance to win a RMB 200 voucher at Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa, answer the following question in the comment section :

Which JUE (觉) event are you most excited about and why?

Deadline is Tuesday, March 15 at noon.  To answer, click here and scroll down to comment section