Art Attack: Weird Beijing, Chinese Avatars and Snow White Auditions

This week, Matt Holmes of the Beijing Alchemists brings together members of the music community along with artists and thespians to put on a show at UCCA called Weird Tales of Beijing. You can also audition for the Snow White Christmas pantomime with Beijing Playhouse, catch two great animated films, share your latest creative work at the Sarau Project, and read about how James Cameron is bringing the Chinese to Pandora.

It’s no secret that James Cameron is big on co-producing with China, in an almost shamelessly mercenary way. Now, he’s talking about involving China in the sequels for Avatar. In this interview with Yahoo!, he says, “We are projecting a future in Avatar, and if you project that future out, it is logical that there would be a number of Chinese amongst the contingent on Pandora.” So, what would Chinese Na’vi look like?

Also, if you’re in the mood for some drama, you can go get drunk at Propaganda, or you can check out Holmes’ show, Weird Tales of Beijing, at the UCCA, featuring musicians, shadow puppets and more. We haven’t been able to verify prices and times for the show, so call the venue for more details.

Those who’ve always dreamed of being “the fairest of them all” have a chance this week. Auditions for the Beijing Playhouse Christmas play Snow White take place September 23-24. This is perfect for those who’ve always been interested in theater but didn’t know where to start. Or, if you’re a seasoned thespian and miss the bright lights of the stage, Beijing Playhouse is waiting for you.

The Sarau Project at Modernista invites all creative types to share their works (published, unfinished, all welcome), whether they be plays, books, poetry, art, music or sock puppetry. This month's theme is "outsiders."

Animated film lovers can catch Perfect Blue at Dada this week, or Waltz with Bashir at Riverbank Bar and Café. See below for details.

And of course, galleries are all now fully awake from their August slumber. Check out everything going on below.

EVENTS:

Sep 23-24
Beijing Playhouse Audition: Snow White
Your shot at local fame. This year’s panto welcomes adult and child actors – someone needs to play the dwarves. Free. 6.30pm. British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (8532 5320; see Living directory)

Sep 24
Film: Perfect Blue
An animated psychological thriller about a pop singer, Mima, who disappoints her fans when she ditches the singing for a role on a violent TV show. Free. 8pm. Dada (137 6495 1613)

Sep 25-26
Drama: Weird Tales of Beijing
Musicians, shadow puppets and stage actors show us Beijing’s bizarre side. Price and time TBD. UCCA (8459 9269)

Sep 26
Film: Waltz With Bashir
One more chance to see the Israeli animated film in Beijing. RMB 40 (includes coffee or tea), 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar and Café (6506 8277)

Sep 27
Sarau Project: “Outsiders”
Share original works (films, scripts, musical performances, anything) centered on the theme of “outsiders.” To participate, contact thesarauproject@gmail.com. Free. 8.30pm-late. Modernista (136 9142 5744)

ART EXHIBITS

LAST CALLS:
Li Jikai Solo Exhibition: Boy, Doll, Fragment
Until Sep 29. Muted ruminations on childhood abound in Li’s paintings. RMB 20, RMB 10 (students, military). Today Art Museum (5876 0600 ext 100)

Liu Qinghe: Piao
Until Sep 30. The sculptor’s languorous yet anxious scene of swimmers in a pond
fetishizes the rural ideal. In other words, there are girls with their tops off. Free. The Opposite House (6417 6688)

CURRENTLY OPEN:
Feng Mengbo: Not Too Late
Until Oct 28. The beloved “video game” artist continues to explore themes of digitalization and society, but in painting. Free. Chambers Fine Art (5127 3298)

Kan Xuan: Millet Mound
Until Nov 10. Kan’s stop-motion photography of historic burial sites fuses past and present. RMB 10, Free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

He Xiangyu
Until Nov 11. No title, no details save a miniature silicone self-sculpture and a promise that the artist is turning himself into a viewer. Free. White Space Beijing (8456 2054)

Yang Jian: Simple Mechanical
Until Nov 11. Video and installation art focusing on themes of elapsed time and destruction. Free. White Space Beijing (8456 2054)

Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners: From the House to the City
Until Nov 18. A well-produced architecture exhibit featuring the work of a prominent, socially conscious British firm. Part of the UK Now Festival. Free. 9am-5pm (Tue-Sun). Capital Museum (6337 0491/2)

COMING SOON:
Modern Sky 15th Anniversary Exhibit
Sep 29-Oct 6. View the Chinese indie label’s most striking album covers and artwork throughout the years. Free. RAWR (no tel)

Yung Ho Chang: Material-ism
Sep 30-Dec 2. China’s first international architect turns the Great Hall into a modern hutong, with each subspace reflecting an area of his practice. RMB 10, Free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

Photo: http://static.guim.co.uk