Art Attack: Bike and Walk, But Don't Swim
It's shaping up to be an active week for Beijing's art lovers (or the art curious), film watchers and the like. Saturday, Electric Shadows hosts a bike-in outdoor film screening at the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, we've got five art hikes for you to try out in our brand-spankin' new August issue, and theaters are abuzz with the imminent release of the final film in the Harry Potter franchise.
Let’s hope Beijing gets the rain out of its system today so tomorrow's bike ride to Three Shadows is enjoyable rather than soggy. Once there, enjoy the sights and sounds of video artist and musician Paul Collins as well as a collection of shorts before the night’s eerie old-school feature, Night of the Hunter, begins.
If you’d like to bike with a group, meet at exit D of the Dongzhimen subway station at 7pm with your bike. And bikers, watch out for those turds that David Sedaris is making such a big stink about. (FYI, Bookworm Festival organizer Kadi tells us that Sedaris enjoyed himself in China, but his writings characteristically harp on the strange and uncouth aspects of his experience. She also thinks there’s plenty more where that came from, so be on the lookout for more sh*tstorming from the humorist.)
If two wheels are not your thing, just use your own two feet to check out one of our art walks in the new August issue of the magazine. We sent out our staff to stake out the most interesting galleries, yummiest food and drink and coolest shops, so you can just follow our trails for a good time. If you’ve always wanted to get to know Beijing’s art scene better, this is a great place to start.
No biking or walking necessary: true couch potatoes can gear up for the China release of the boy who lived, aka Harry Potter. Check out our post of Beijing’s IMAX locations, including rundowns of whether 3D and IMAX are worth your while for both Potter and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
Next Thursday, BC MOMA kicks off their Wang Quan’an Retrospective with Apart Together, his film about a Kuomintang officer returning to the life he left behind in Shanghai, only to find his wife remarried and his son a stranger. The Bookworm also hosts a talk with Chandran Noir about the environmental implications behind the 21st century’s insatiable Asian consumers.
Meanwhile, you can bike or walk, but definitely don’t swim to see Jaws at Culture Yard on Sunday. Details for all these events below:
July 30
Bike-In Film: The Night of the Hunter
Take a ride out to Caochangdi in the cool night air (one can dream) and catch an old thriller. RMB 40, RMB 20 (for arriving on a bike). 8pm. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (6432 2663)
July 31
Film: Jaws
Stay out of the water. Reservation required: contact@cultureyard.net RMB 25 (includes soft drinks and popcorn). 7pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
August 4
Book Talk: Chandran Nair
The Singaporean businessman and writer discusses his book Consumptionomics, rife with scary statistics about the potential devastation wrought by Asian consumption. Next up: a dance-off between him and fellow eco-writer Jonathan Watts (not really). RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Film: Apart Together
A former Kuomintang soldier deals with the ghosts of his past when he returns to Shanghai after fleeing decades ago. The director will be present at Aug 4 showing only. Part of BC MOMA’s Wang Quan’an Retrospective (see our magazine feature, p48). RMB 40, RMB 30 (students and seniors, RMB 25 (members). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)
Photos from Fanpop.com, http://es.paperblog.com and Doctormacro.com
