Art Attack: Criticizing China, The Odd Couple Dance Videos and New at the UCCA

This week looks like a recipe for a dance, theater and film stew. Everything gets thrown in the pot and you might take a bite of dance videos at the Jumping Frames festival, or a more exotic taste of opera on film at Instituto Cervantes. There are also foreigners performing The Odd Couple in Chinese, sculpture plus experimental dance, and new openings at the UCCA. If you want your film straight up, catch Wu Haohao’s Criticizing China.

Old ladies chatting at the park? Bo-ring! Must be a bunch of mindless talk about the weather and endless one-upmanship about how brilliant their grandkids are, right? You’d be surprised. In his documentary, Critizing China, Wu Haohao shows us the insightful commentary these ladies manage about modern China. Catch it tonight at the Culture Yard, where the director will also be present for Q+A.

Also this weekend is the Jumping Frames international dance video showcase at BC MOMA. Anyone who grew up watching MTV knows what a great combo dance and video are. Pay RMB 120 for an all-access pass or just jump in on individual screenings. Call BC MOMA (8438 8258) for screening times and details.

For more dance, Scottish company Janis Claxton Dance is in town and will be performing with Beijing LDTX to open the 2012 Beijing Dance Festival.

For yet more dance, Penghao Theater’s also doing a special contemporary dance performance this weekend. It will incorporate sculptures by Polish artist Ludwika Ogorzelec for an even more experimental take than usual.

C!Talk’s culture show happens this Saturday, though as we mentioned last week, yoga instructor extraordinaire Muqimiya will unfortunately not be in attendance. Sherri Rao, also a very well-respected yoga practitioner, will be doing a demonstration in her place.

At the NCPA, an all-foreign cast from Hebei will be performing The Odd Couple in Mandarin. We've been unable to confirm whether there will be English subtitles, so be sure to ask if purchasing tickets.

Two new exhibits are opening at the UCCA this weekend, as well. They’ll be open to the public starting Sunday, and one will feature a large forest taking over the Nave – sure to be very dramatic. The other is a painting exhibit curated by Wang Xingwei, highlighting promising young artists from his hometown.

Also catch The New Dragon Gate Inn at Culture Yard, Bruce Willis sci-fi flick 12 Monkeys at Riverbank Café and Bar, or a futuristic Don Quijote at Instituto Cervantes.

As usual, all details for events are below. Enjoy.

NEW EXHIBITS:

Curated By Wang Xingwei: Specificity
Jul 21-Aug 30. Five unknown painters from Wang’s hometown get their big break. Free. UCCA (8459 9269)

Wang Mai: Dire Straits
Jul 21-Aug 30. A huge, absurdist forest embedded with traditional materials will be installed in the Nave. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

OTHER EVENTS:

Jul 20
Meet the Filmmaker: Criticizing China
Eavesdrop on those grannies at the park in Wu Haohao’s documentary. You just might be surprised. RMB 60, RMB 40 (students, pre-sale). 8-10pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

July 20-22
Dance Video Festival: Jumping Frames
Started in Hong Kong and now internationally known, this festival shows us what fun we can have when we mix dance and video. Call venue for details. RMB 120 (all-access pass), RMB 100 (members). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Dance with the Line
Penghao Theater and Penglai Dance partner up to bring us an experimental dance performance incorporating sculpture by Polish artist Ludwika Ogorzelec and Shi Xiaojuan, founder of Penglai Dance. Penghao Theater (6400 6452/72)

July 21
C!TALK: Chill Out
This month’s show features flute player Bruce Gremo, the Mandinga Capoeira group and yoga instructor Sherri Rao. RMB 30. 4-5.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Film: New Dragon Gate Inn
A defeated general’s children are facing an ambush at the Dragon Gate Inn, and the venerable Hsiao has been summoned to protect them. RMB 25. 7.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Jul 22
Songs: Janis Claxton Dance
The famous Scottish dance company joins Beijing’s LDTX in opening the 2012 Beijing Dance Festival. Also part of the UK Now Festival. Price TBD. 7.30 pm. PLA Song and Dance Theater (8322 0726, 6613 1718)

Opera Film: Don Quijote en Barcelona
The Ingenious Gentleman tries to revive chivalry in the year 3000, after the world has forgotten what a book is. Free. 5pm. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666 ext 3032/3011)

Jul 25
Film: 12 Monkeys
Bruce Willis at his science-fiction best. RMB 40. 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar & Café (6506 8277)

Jul 25-26
Play: The Odd Couple
A laowai cast from a Hebei theater troupe tackles this comedy about mismatched roommates – in Mandarin. RMB 80-380. 7.30pm. NCPA Theater (6655 0000)

COMING UP NEXT WEEK:

Jul 28
Film: Spray Paint Beijing
If you have yet to catch the first documentary to cover Beijing’s graffiti scene, here’s another chance. Several artists featured in the film will be in attendance, and a director Q+A will follow. RMB 20 (includes a drink). 8pm. Zajia (156 0112 2252)

Film: Reign of Assassins
A female assassin tries to return a monk’s body to its rightful resting place while others try to thwart her. RMB 25. 7.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Photo: Ign.com