3_6_5_PQ365

An art exhibition showcasing changes through the eyes of Hong
Kong’s artists since its return to the motherland a decade ago
opened on Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai.

Over 40 works, ranging from sculptures to installation art, from
30 or so top Hong Kong artists will be on display until August
8.

Called “Reversing Horizons,” it demonstrates shifts of
ideologies and creative inspiration as the Chinese mainland becomes
an increasing importance in the lives of Hong Kong residents,
Xinhua news agency quotes the organizer as saying.

Date: July 8 – August 8, 10 am – 6 pm

Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai, People’s Park, No. 231,
Nanjing West Road

Works from the “Reversing Horizons”
exhibition which is running at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Shanghai, from July 8 to August 8.

(CRI.cn July 9, 2007)

Shanghai’s Art Deco past, its unique nongtangs, and the
neighborhoods to which it owes its global reputation as “the Paris
of the East”, are being bulldozed as old buildings in parts of the
city are replaced with modern high-rise. Locals and architects
around the world are still weighing the impact of the drastic urban
development and can’t agree on whether it is for the better or the
worse. Yet while everybody else is talking, Canadian photographer
Greg Girard has documented the change of cityscape in a photo book
entitled Phantom Shanghai, with exhibitions in Shanghai,
Beijing, Hong Kong, and major cities in Canada.

Girard comes across as a pensive, philosophical photographer
with a rare talent for capturing beautifully haunting images of old
Shanghai. Some have called his new pictures anthropological. In
Girard’s words, he was simply trying to “make a record”.

Girard’s images of Shanghai show old buildings just before they
were demolished. There are no people in these images, yet the
pictures give the impression that life has been lived in these
places. With a focus on atmosphere and colors, Girard shows what
most people pay little attention to in the city: alleyways and
staircases, as well as small homes in the midst of demolition, with
glass skyscraper looming in the background and surrounding streets
already swept away by change.

The photos are, unusually, taken around dusk, when the falling
light reveals the hidden shadows of an urban landscape illuminated
by rubble and neon. The keyword is contrast.

“When I first visited Shanghai back in 1983 I was struck by how
the city looked as if there had been no urban development, at least
not for profit, since 1949,” Girard told China Daily.

“It was as if Shanghai had fallen off the map.”

Since then, Shanghai has become the focus of worldwide
attention. A lot has happened to the city’s appearance, especially
since the late 1990s. Girard’s project began to take in 2001, three
years after he moved to Shanghai.

“I wanted to see and capture this very specific, unique moment
in Shanghai’s history, which is not going to last forever. It is
the moment when an old city and a modern city are occupying the
same space. In my pictures, you can still see both at the same
time.

“There is a sense that Shanghai has been unnaturally preserved
almost by neglect or a lack of intervention. It seems simply an
accident, because no one intended to save the old parts of the
city. At the same time, the new unprecedented pace of urban
development appears equally accidental.”

The title Phantom Shanghai refers to the ghostly way in which
something is made to disappear, according to Girard.

“When something dies, something lingers. There is some sense of
it still being there, even when it is vanished,” said Girard,
comparing the experience with that of losing a limb. After an
accident, according to many reports, most amputees still feel a
twitch in their lost limb.

To the question of whether Phantom Shanghai was a nostalgic
project, Girard insisted that nostalgia held no interest for him.
When asked if the project should be perceived as political, Girard
commented:

“Like everything in China, it does have a political side to it.
But personally, I find it more to be of a historical nature. The
pictures give a sense of what I would call layers of history or the
heart-flow of time through the city.”

Girard suggested that it may well take an outsider to remind
others of the beauty in the flaws, and to notice the fascinating
phenomenon caught in what he calls “images of the threshold”.

In 1999, Girard published the Hong Kong photo book, City of
Darkness: Life in Kowloon Walled City, in cooperation with Ian
Lambot and Axel Menges.

According to Girard, the two cities that he has documented in
pictures, Hong Kong and Shanghai, do not compare. He explained that
Hong Kong became what it is today because it picked up where
Shanghai left off around 1949.

“Shanghai’s irrelevance became Hong Kong’s relevance back then.
But it is definitely a Shanghai moment right now,” said Girard.

During his endless hours of location hunting, Girard was
confronted with different local attitudes towards the ongoing
changes. Some said they felt “the old stuff” was holding them back.
Other insisted that there was “no need to destroy the past”.

Around Huaihai Park, by the newly renovated Xintiandi district,
some of the people whose lives have been directly affected by the
changes go daily to socialize in the shade. One of them is an
elderly man surnamed Xiong, who will soon have to leave the area.
Surrounded by elders playing mahjong and taking care of
grandchildren, Xiong gave his take on the battle for Shanghai’s
soul.

“I still live on Shunchang Lu just by the park, but my apartment
will be demolished and I will need to move far away to the Minhang
District. I really can’t do anything about the situation, but it is
for the good of Shanghai’s development. Sometimes it is needed for
people to sacrifice themselves in order to develop the city,” he
said.

A 48-year old male storekeeper by a nearby small restaurant at
Xingan Lu pointed out that the residents of Shanghai are in the
process of getting rid of the old in order to make way for the
new.

“There is nothing to be done about it,” he said as he let out a
weary sigh, “but at least the living standards are much better in
the new places.”

The Phantom Shanghai exhibition is at Studio Rouge in Shanghai
and at 798 Art District in Beijing.

(China Daily July 4, 2007)

Picasso masterpieces probably will exhibit in China during the
Olympic Games as part of its global tour, according to the Picasso
Museum Wednesday.

Museum director Anne Baldassari said talks are under way with
China for the exhibition to be shown in Beijing during the Olympic
Games in August 2008.

About 350 masterpieces from the museum in Paris are going on
world tour early next year. The first destination is Madrid and
then Japan.

The Picasso Retrospective is also planned to travel to Abu Dhabi
and the United States next year, with stops planned in Brazil and
Russia in 2009, Baldassari said.

The Picasso Museum, which houses 500 paintings and sculptures by
Pablo Picasso along with countless drawings, photographs and
prints, will be closed from October 2008 to the end of 2010 to
allow for major renovation work.

But some of the works by the Spanish painter will be on display
at the Grand Palais museum during the closure.

(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2007)

Liu Tiejian, a farmer from Pingdingshang city in central China’s
Henan province, has succeeded in painting with natural seeds.

Local newspaper the Henan Daily, reports that the
41-year-old has been an art-lover since his childhood. Along with
teaching himself how to do pencil sketches, water colors and
traditional Chinese paintings, he also developed his own methods
for doing pyrography and egg-carving.

Inspired by a TV show, Liu Tiejian started painting with natural
seeds in 2005. The specially-processed seeds are glued onto
cardboard, glass or wood blocks. Through careful design, the
natural texture and color of the seeds form artistic compositions,
combining elements of both traditional Chinese and western painting
aesthetics.

As his seed-painting craft matured, Liu Tiejian began to grow
experimental plants in order to collect their seeds of varying
color. He also taught his skill to fellow villagers, saying that he
was quite willing to teach those who also love art.

Liu Tiejian, a farmer from Pingdingshang city
in central China’s Henan Province, uses pincers and toothpicks to
paint a running horse with natural seeds, in this undated
photo.

This undated photo shows a picture called “A
Kid’s Fun”, which is made from natural seeds such as millet,
sesame, rapeseed and shallot. The artist Liu Tiejian, is a farmer
from Pingdingshang city in central China’s Henan
Province. 

 

(CRI.cn June 13, 2007)

The bright silver arch, with a mirror positioned underneath, and
a uniquely designed wooden bench are out of the ordinary. Welcome
to the world of Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), Spain’s most eccentric
architect. The exhibition, Cosmos Gaudi: Architecture, Geometry and
Design, is now running at the Capital Museum in Beijing until
August 2. 

Jointly organized by Spain’s State Corporation for Overseas
Cultural Action (SEACEX), the Capital Museum of Beijing, and the
Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai (MOCA Shanghai), the exhibition
showcases 16 original works, 17 reproductions and 26 models.

Daniel Giralt-Miracle, curator of this exhibition, says the show
will present the different worlds that constituted the cosmos of
Gaudi with an analysis of his life, his buildings and structures
and materials, through a collection of photographs, scale models,
computer graphics and furniture.

At the exhibition, Giralt-Miracle asked a female visitor to sit
on a 100-year-old wooden bench and explained to her the seat’s
purpose. “The height is designed by people’s legs’ length. The
holes on the bench are for the purpose of ventilation. The arch
shape on the back is to rest your arm on. They were all designed to
make people feel comfortable,” he says.

“There are some geniuses in human history,” he says of Gaudi,
whose unfinished work, the Sagrada Familia, is one of Spain’s most
visited tourist sites. Gaudi is probably the most creative
architect after Michelangelo, Giralt-Miracle says.

“By looking at Gaudi’s works, it is possible to get overwhelmed
by the exuberance of its forms, the richness of its colors or the
magic of its symbolism,” the curator says.

The exhibition is the fourth organized by SEACEX during the Year
of Spain in China. The genius of Spain’s most famous architect is
still largely unknown by many Chinese, Isabel Serrano Sanchez,
director general of SEACEX says.

For design students who adore Gaudi’s works, the exhibition
offers a direct and vivid glimpse into the artist’s world. Huang
Zhu, a student of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, was impressed
by the unique style and design of the exhibits.

“They are so different with other European styles in terms of
shape and color. Also its focus on function in designing the
furniture is very inspiring,” Huang says.

Gaudi’s designs, such as La Pedrera in Barcelona, differ
dramatically in form and color from other European styles.File
photos

 

However, video and models only scratch the surface of the
architect’s work, Huang says. “We want to know more about him and
his works. It would be great to actually see his real buildings in
Spain.”

After the Capital Museum of Beijing, the exhibition will move to
MOCA Shanghai, where it will run until September 23.

(China Daily June 12, 2007)

Illusionist 3D street art by US artist Kurt Wenner draws you in.
The vivid “anamorphic” scenes depict “Fishing in Old Shanghai” and
“Interrupted Tea Party” in chalk that rains will wash away, says Xu
Wei.

This is marvelous illusionist 3D “street art” that seems to
belong in a museum, instead of in Xintiandi where summer rains will
wash the brilliant chalk away. The captivating creations that draw
us in, “Fishing in Old Shanghai” and “Interrupted Tea Party,” will
remain on film and in our memories.

US artist and architect Kurt Wenner is known for his majestic
“anamorphic” art that often reminds viewers of classical art. He
also paints illusionist pop art. Figures and shapes seem to escape
from their frames, in the manner of Michaelangelo and other
European fresco painters.

Wenner has his own geometry. They are usually “anamorphic” at
first sight but they seem to rise from and fall into the ground
when viewed from one point in space.

Inspiration for the two works, “Fishing” and “Tea Party,” comes
from the artist’s first impression of the city and its culture, a
combination of Oriental spirit and Western fashion.

“My experience in Shanghai is special to me,” Wenner says. “In
some way Shanghai reminds me of different cities I visited 25 years
ago. The city still has a lot of flavor and character that doesn’t
appear today in the Western world.”

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Wenner attended the Rhode Island
School of Design and Art Center College of Design before working
for NASA as an advanced scientific space illustrator.

In 1982, he moved to Italy to pursue his love of classical art.
His knowledge and passion for Renaissance classicism provided a
foundation for his own art. In 1984, he invented an art form all
his own – anamorphic or illusionistic street painting, all very
large.

The form of perspective known as anamorphism was used by the
great European masters to give the illusion of soaring architecture
and floating figures in ceiling frescoes. Wenner adjusted this
geometry to his own works, where painted forms appear
three-dimensional.

“Artistic geometry was actually one of the most fascinating
subjects in the classical tradition,” Wenner says. “My paintings
invite rediscovery of many artistic traditions, as I borrow from
mythology, allegory, literature, and theater.”

He especially enjoys working on large pieces that “encompass”
the viewer.

“I enjoy teasing my audience with a wealth of allusions -
historical, stylistic, and perceptual,” he adds. “Even if viewers
cannot reference the story it tells, they sense that one exists,
thus stimulating their curiosity. While some recognize and
appreciate the content, others may admire the richly embellished
surfaces or technical virtuosity.”

He believes that some suppositions in the book “The Da Vinci
Code” are not imaginary. “Many secrets of geometry and symbolism
actually exist in Da Vinci’s artworks,” he says.

Almost all of Wenner’s paintings are done on commission and the
majority of them are on a large scale. They can be found in
corporate high-rises, government buildings, hotel lobbies, as well
as churches and museums worldwide.

His favorite work is “Dies Irae,” which is based on the Last
Judgment. This huge creation was praised by Pope John Paul II in
Mantua, Italy. The Pope signed the mural, officially recognizing
(some) street painting as an official form of sacred art.

Wenner has also inspired many communities to create their own
street painting festivals.

Today there are dozens of street painting festivals in the
United States and worldwide that attract thousands of professional
and amateur artists, as well as children.

“Though rain will soon come down and wash away almost all the
outdoor paintings done in chalk, the fun is mostly about the
process itself,” he says.

For decades artists have exhibited finished works in art
galleries. But through street painting, artists are able to set
aside their fears and self-doubt and share the process of creating
a work with the public.

Wenner says that although the art form is still new to Chinese
people, it can flourish and fill a great need for the artists and
the public.

Wenner has been living with his family in Bettona, an ancient
Italian town, for more than 20 years. His years in Italy gave him a
special understanding of and appreciation for architecture, as well
as the important heritage of architectural ornamentation.

He has spent the last several years designing large
residences.

However, in the future, Wenner says he will paint stronger and
more compelling pieces and take photographs of the street artwork
on tour.

“From the beginning of my career, my main artistic motivation
was to rediscover, transform and share neglected ideas from the
past,” he says.

“I have been fortunate to be able to share my work with millions
of people. I hope that my work will eventually inspire other
artists to learn more about the vast and rich patrimony of European
art, so that others can enjoy the wealth of ideas that is often
hidden with the passage of time.”

(Shanghai Daily June 12, 2007)

 

An art exhibition aimed at testing Chinese artists born in the
1980s began on Monday in the Shanghai Art Museum.

The one month exhibition is called Infantization or
Jelly’s Times, as organizers say these young artists were
just like the jelly imported from western countries in the
1980s.

After a few years’ development, the taste of jelly changed,
whereas the 1980s artists were affected by a mixture of culture
from the east and west.

Exhibition organizers say the artists are independent and a bit
anti-social, but also open-minded and somewhat selfish.

They hope through the exhibition they can find the lifestyle and
creative tendencies of these young artists, and help them foster a
serious attitude towards art.

The exhibition showcases 350 works from 60 artists.

(CRI.cn May 30, 2007)

Visitors to the China exhibition hall at the Zaragoza World Expo
in Spain next year will be treated to a display of Chinese water
culture.

The winning design proposal for the China exhibition hall at the
2008 Zaragoza World Expo was unveiled yesterday morning in
Beijing.

The proposal, co-designed by the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences and Beijing Zhongjian Architect Ltd, beat out 12 other
plans from well-known architects.

“China has a long history of water control and a vivacious water
culture. Its achievements in water control and ideas about the
sustainable use of water resources have been recognized by the
international community. The 2008 Zaragoza world expo is a good
chance for China to display its water control achievements and
exchange experiences,” said Hu Siyi, vice-minister of Water
Resources.

Gong Qijun, vice-director of the exhibition department of China
Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said the
exhibition in Spain would allow China to prepare to play host to
the World Expo in 2010.

“We attach great importance to the Zaragoza World Expo and
consider it a rehearsal for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Shanghai
was awarded the honor of hosting the 2010 World Expo in 2005. It’s
the first time a developing country will host the event,” Gong
said.

The final design proposal combines Chinese history with its
water culture. Gong said the theme would improve China’s image on
the world stage.

On November 16, 2004, Zaragoza, in northeastern Spain, beat
Thessaloniki, Greece, and Trieste, Italy, to host the 2008 expo.
The expo will run for the entire 3 months allowed by the Bureau
International des Expositions (BIE), from June 14 to September 13
next year.

(China Daily May 15, 2007)

The inheritance 20 years have not divided

Now divided was still effective

Mr. Tang the parents died in 1988, leaves leeway a set of real estate. Because among Brother Tang gentleman relates is good, therefore at that time everybody had not carried on the house the division.

Now the house faces the relocation, Mr. Tang wants to carry on the house the division. But Mr. Tang was worried that the parents died already for more than 20 years, can oneself also divide this set of house?

Attorney Liu Xiao: When Mr. Tang the parents died inherits start, it stays behind the real estate several is inherited as the inheritance by Brother Tang gentleman, the real estate is before the division they altogether has, because had not divided, this kind altogether has the condition to continue the present.

And among Brother Tang gentleman not the dispute, does not have the right encroached situation, altogether has during the house not limitation of action limit. Therefore, Mr. Tang may request to divide the house now, if other people did not agree, Mr. Tang may sue, under court’s management divides reasonably and legitimately.

(This article originates: Legal system evening news)

The sunny sky, comes to select the shower suddenly, even also mixes with the hail, the duration is being longest for 20 minutes, in the near future such weather will be very popular, moreover it often has “guerilla warfare” in the small scope.

Look in the evening, in Minhou Xiangqian Town, a gale added on the rainstorm hail three days ago, destroyed several hundred Chinese acres farmland, the villagers looks that the place leant this way and that the sugar cane, potato and lettuce bamboo shoots, muttered saying:“10 minutes, 10 minutes anything destroyed.”

The hail came from the convection quite intense spring and summer festival generally. The weather forecast said that in the next few days Nanping, Sanming, Longyan and Ningde four city’s local will present the short-time gust, the strong rainfall, thunder and lightning and so on strong convection weather, such weather in this season, in the entire province scope possibly is quite frequent.

The early spring season, the myriad things apparent are very gentle, is the weather temperament actually so why strange? The meteorological observatory explained that enters after in February, the elevation of temperature of entire province most districts is obvious, the damp condition is also quite good, Fuzhou these day-long air humidity about 90%, but the cold air raids, both will meet will collide inevitably intensely, will be easy to initiate the thunderstorms gale, even the hail and so on strong counter-flow weather.

The hail may also judge according to the experience. For example folk proverbs: “In the morning is cool, in the afternoon breaks head.”In other words, if the weather is very cool in the morning, but sun is very big in the afternoon, and on the leaf ties the water drop are quite many, possibly has the hail to raid. But the folk proverbs also had said that “thunder did not have the matter, under the stuffy thunder spherical object”, everybody regarding this season’s thunder, must listen to the sound, the thunderclap, if simply, were quite not stuffy, moreover had feeling continuously, must hurry toward the family to run, possibly immediately under hail.

(This article originates: Southeast bulletin)