Art Attack: Art HK Buzz, New Exhibits, Piano and Bats

The summer art fair season is in full swing, and between the Venice Biennale, the acquisition of Art HK (now Asia’s largest and still rapidly growing art fair) by the folks behind Art Basel, and the feverish pitch of the Chinese market since the big Sotheby’s sales months ago, there’s a whole lot of buzz going on.

We congratulate some of our own Beijing-based galleries for strong showings in Hong Kong, and look to some interesting goings-on both abroad and at home in the next week.

With Art Basel’s buying into Art HK, the fair drew larger numbers of Western galleries and artists this year, all who are hoping to catch the eyes of Asia’s growing mass of collectors.

Congratulations are in order for Beijing-based Magician Space, who represent the artist that won the Art Futures prize. The new honor focuses in on a younger artist under 35 who should be up to some great things in the coming years. Chamber’s Fine Arts’ monumental paper-cut installation by Wu Jian’an (check out one panel from "Mountain Range," below) also drew a lot of attention, with publications Art Info and the Financial Times both naming the work as one of the highlights of this year’s fair.

Meanwhile, Alexander Ochs and Red Gate Gallery are just a few of the many participating Beijing galleries (Galerie Paris-Beijing, Long March Space, Galerie Urs Meile, etc.) who have come back flushed with the excitement at having done splendidly at the art fair. Is it just me, or are economic woes way out of the picture as far as the art world is concerned?

The Venice Biennale also starts this weekend, with the Chinese pavilion featuring five Chinese artists: Pan Gongkai, Yang Maoyuan, Cai Zhisong, Yuan Gong and Liang Yuanwei. World renowned Beijing artist Song Dong will also be exhibiting at the Biennale. (Did you peep our June feature on his and his wife’s new exhibit in Beijing?)

And now, for things you can do right here in town:

Opening this weekend:

Liu Qinghe
Until Jun 26
Red Gate Gallery opens a new exhibit this Saturday at their beautiful historical location. Join them as they continue to celebrate the phenomenal last 20 years they’ve witnessed. Liu Qinghe is known for his juxtaposition of contemporary subjects with traditional calligraphic technique, and this time the man with the minimalist brushstrokes is back with all new works. Free. Red Gate Gallery (6525 1005)

Just opened:

Louis Vuitton: Voyages
Until Aug 30
Red Gate Gallery’s not the only one celebrating its 20th anniversary. Two decades ago, the famous LV monogram also made its way onto the Chinese mainland. It’s hard to say whether this counts as an art exhibit. It features a new video installation by Zhan Wang alongside scores of the luxury brand’s historic and iconic pieces. Jing Daily had an interesting article about this debate. What do you think? Free. National Museum of China (6401 2252)

Hung Liu: First Spring Thunder
Until Jul 17
The artist’s massive new murals feature seductive resin-coated images with a fresh and sometimes twisted view on recent history. Free. Alexander Ochs Galleries (8456 2054)

Pin Gallery: BAD Exhibition
Until Jun 30
The mixed media exhibit at this brand-new space seeks to break away from the normative oppression of what makes art “good” in the Chinese tradition. Free. Pin Gallery (5762 6200)

New at the UCCA:

Not Vital: Full On
Until Jul 10
The Swiss artist known for his nouveau sculptures unveils his first foray into painting, paired with the sometimes overpowering scent of Camay soap. Can't be worse than breathing the Beijing pollution, right? RMB 15. UCCA (8459 9269)

Li Hui: V
Until Jul 10
Lasers, fog, mirrors. Like a David Bowie show but with less eyeliner. We caught this new exhibit last week and it is blindingly bizarre. Go have a look, but take care of your retinas. RMB 15. UCCA (8459 9269)

And this weekend, on a stage near you:

June 3-6
Operetta: Die Fledermaus
Noodle-slurping comedian Chen Peisi joins the cast of this latest production of Johann Strauss Jr.’s play. Directed by British great Stephen Lawless and featuring Chinese dialogue with German singing (and English subtitles). We’ll post a review of the media preview soon, so watch this space. RMB 160-680. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)

June 3-5
Piano aux Jacobins
Three nights with French pianists, featuring Liszt, Beethoven and Chopin as well as jazz. Part of Festival Croisements and one of Beijing’s premiere annual piano events. RMB 30-380. 7.30pm. Forbidden City Concert Hall (6559 8285)

Images from Magician Space and Chambers Fine Art.