TBJ September: Art is as Art Does

How much do you really know about Beijing’s art scene? If a lot, then you’re aware this month is the 30th anniversary of Chinese contemporary art, and that the 798 Beijing Biennale 2009 is going on right now (until Sep 12). To those who know maybe not so much, we offer you this month’s Cover Feature: a crash course in Chinese Art 101, and an introduction to eight of its biggest names (Huang Rui, Zhang Xiaogang, Aniwar and more).

We’ve also got reflections from artist Maomao, and Fashion Five-Oh offers commentary on tattoos. And where would Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, M.C. Escher and Andy Warhol party? PLA takes a wild guess. Writer David Quammen, before opening The Bookworm’s science festival, explains why humans are “weedy,” then our new Ecology section breaks down genetically modified rice and how to eat like a locavore.

Take 5 gallery shops, bars to ogle, arts of the martial and places to have your cake, then say happy birthday to Acupuncture, Yugong Yishan and Plasteredtshirts.com. Plus: up-and-coming blues band Wu & The Side Effects, Zhang Ziyi on Revenge, The Merchants of Bollywood, and – as always – all the latest shop, restaurant and bar openings around town.

All that and more in the September issue of the Beijinger!