Wu Guanzhong

Since coming to Beijing, I've been trying to broaden my horizons and enjoy the burgeoning art scene here. I'm hardly an art expert in any sense or really that knowledgeable about the art scene in Beijing or anywhere else for that matter, but I have quite enjoyed discovering and looking at art not only in museums, but in the art galleries around the city. Though originally finding and visiting galleries at first was a means to an end to find something simply to do, it's proven to become a bit of hobby during my time here.

Granted, during my time in Paris, I was also very interested art. How could you not be, after all? It's Paris! With so many amazing and renowned pieces showcased all over Paris, it'd be a shame to not enjoy and appreciate it. However, unlike in Paris, where my obsession was visiting every museum I possibly could, visiting galleries in Beijing is a definitely a different experience (not necessarily for either better or worse).

One of the painters I've discovered while in China is Wu Guanzhong (吴冠中). Wu Guanzhong was a very renowned contemporary Chinese artist who blended Western techniques with Chinese brush painting techniques to create paintings that I find amazing. I particularly like his landscape paintings, especially those of the villages in Southern China.

Now here's a humorous story for you relating to Wu Guanzhong:

Last week, I was out in the 798 art district to see a completely separate photography exhibit, when I happened to stumble upon a gallery with many Wu paintings (actually, most likely reproductions) on display and of course, I walked in to take a better the works on display. As it turns out, the gallery had many Wu Guanzhong paintings/reproductions for sale, hence the exhibition. While I roamed around the exhibition, one of the gallery curators came up to me, started talking to me about how the paintings and how I could also choose form a catalog of Wu's other works to purchase, if I liked.

Apparently, to this curator, I looked like I had enough money to spend on purchasing a reproduction (the prices all seemed to start at 1,500 RMB and upwards). Thoroughly amused, I chuckled, smiled and politely took the curator that I unfortunately did not have the money to invest in a piece of art.
Never in my life would I think that someone would approach me about buying art, thinking that I even remotely had the money to purchase any. Even though the paintings/reproductions actually weren't that expensive as far as art goes, I still couldn't afford it. But I did like that the curator thought I could. Haha.
Anyways, if you have time and are curious, take the time to look up Wu Guanzhong. I think you'll like his paintings as well.


Articles on Wu Guanzhong:

• The Telegraph obituary (Includes an interesting portion on Wu's life during and after the Cultural Revolution)
  
• NY Times obituary
• Gallery of works

On my way to the 798 Space: a mini-adventure

On Tuesday, I set out to check out Beijing's 798 Space, an art district in the outskirts of Beijing. But before I tell you all about 798, I have to tell you about my journey over to 798. Because, as the saying goes, the journey is half the battle.

As I mentioned previously, 798 is located in the outskirts of Beijing, just north of the Fourth Ring Road. Since there isn't a direct way to get out to 798 solely using the subway, I looked on Google Maps for a good bus route(s) to take out there from BNU. Dutifully, Google Maps quickly spit out directions that seemed to coincide with the directions on the 798 website and I, of course, not knowing any better followed them.

But, as I'm sure you've guessed by now, those directions were not correct. According to the directions and map, the stop I was instructed to get off at would place me directly at the entrance to 798. Wrong. Very wrong. You know where I ended up instead? On a paved road that had  a dirt sidewalk on one side and a walled field around it on the other; in other words..it almost looked like the countryside. Definitely not where I wanted to be*.

After a few minutes of deliberation with myself and tentative walking around to make sure I really was in the wrong area, I decided to go ask the receptionist at a business hotel that luckily for me was located at the bust stop I had gotten off at. I have no idea what a business hotel (let alone a nice business hotel) was doing there all the way outside of the city, but nevertheless the receptionist was very kind when I asked her for directions (in Mandarin!).

As it turns out, I had completely overshot the 798 Space. In fact, I was so far that I couldn't even walk to it. I had to take a different bus back the way I came for roughly 10-15 minutes. (Needless to say, there isn't a dirt sidewalk over by 798; it's paved.)

All I have to say is, thanks, Google Maps; you were always so reliable before, but this time, you led me way astray. I don't appreciate that.

Regardless, I did eventually get to 798 after that little detour and it was definitely worth it. Using the abandon East German electronic factories from the 1950's, Bejing's contemporary art community has re-claimed the factories and turned them into various art galleries, cafes and stores. Since the factory workshops are sufficiently large, they are perfect for displaying art and large scale multimedia installations.

In some ways, 798 greatly reminded me of Brooklyn and Oakland/Emeryville, where many old warehouses have been converted into artist work-live lofts, among other uses. The space is also seemed very contained and separate from the bustling city that surrounded it; much like how Brooklyn always seems calmer than Manhattan.

Even the most of the other visitors of 798 seemed like they belonged in Brooklyn or Oakland. They all were young, like me, hip and interested in contemporary art and culture. It's the type of place I know a lot of my friends from home & New York would love.

Overall, it was a great outing for that day and I'll definitely be returning to 798 again (but not that dirt sidewalk place). And I have to say, I'm a proud of myself for figuring out how to go to my original destination, despite having completely misleading directions.

Here are some photos from 798. I should've taken one of the bus stop I got off when I was lost, but I didn't think of it at the time. Sorry!

I'm not convinced the Italian(?) here actually means what it says in English & Chinese, but I like the sentiment. 

 I'm not exactly sure why the Chinese military acts as security here. Maybe 798 lies right outside of Beijing Security's jurisdiction. Either way, this guy doesn't seem to be doing much. 

For more info about the 798 Space: http://www.798space.com/index_en.asp

*Note: For those of you concerned with my safety, rest assured that this detour occurred around noon on a sunny day and despite the country-esque surroundings, there were other people and cars around. I was in no danger whatsoever.