Art Attack: Girls Going Wild?
A recent Shanghaiist post revealed rumors that 70% of actresses are whores, including one whose name “begins with ‘G’ and is a little bit older, but still very sexy.” Hmm. Pulitzer Prize reporting this is not, but it’s a timely conversation starter in light of several women’s arts festivals going on this weekend.
(Here we go, hand over forehead, with a big sigh:) Will women always be compromised in this manner? Curse our beauty, cheapened by commodification!
Ok, enough of that. Sure, there are deeper issues, but I’ll leave you to ponder that while you read about all the upcoming events where you can find like-minded ponderers:
Electric Shadows is one of the film screening organizations around town that focuses on shorts and experimental films. This weekend, they’re rolling out their Nuyishu Festival at The Loop in Shuangjing. The festival celebrates women in film and the arts. Here are some highlights:
Friday, Apr 15 (Day pass RMB 50)
If you still haven’t seen it, catch a screening tonight of sex shop comedy Red Light Revolution (7pm), followed by a Q+A with producer Melanie Ansley and organizer Vicky Mohieddeen (9.30pm). At 11pm, DJ Assassin Eyes will spin some indie-electronic.
Saturday, April 16 (Day pass RMB 80)
1pm. “Sexy Beijing” creator Anna Sophie Loewenberg will lead a 4-hour workshop on producing short films. During the workshop, participants will have an opportunity to write, produce, and shoot 2-5 minute shorts based on the theme “Women and Identity in Beijing.” Completed short videos will be edited and uploaded to Youtube, and participants will receive a DVD copy of their video.*
*This event requires pre-registration before 5pm today. Call Vicky at 136 6135 9749 or emailelectricshadows.bj@gmail.com to reserve one of the coveted spots. Readers should also note that this event is an extra RMB 250 a person apart from Saturday’s day pass.*
7.30pm. A screening of an eclectic set of short films, including "Paris/Sexy" by Ruth Paxton from the UK, a film about seasonal changes at the DMZ by Korean filmmaker Min Sung-ah, and an exploration of memory set in Buenos Aires called "Le Que Me Queda De Vos". The screening will also include animation, documentaries, and music videos.
Sunday, Apr 17 (Day pass RMB 80):
1pm. Two documentaries: The first set in Hungary and looking at the domestic “arsenic murders” of 1929 (see what happens when housewives are unhappy?) and the second following a pilgrimage of a Palestinian family.
3pm. Shutterbugs can catch a photography workshop with Beijing-based photog Sheila Zhao.
There are lots of other great events and exhibits happening throughout the weekend, so find out more at the Nuyishu website.
In other news, Imagine Gallery’s opening an exhibit this Sunday, April 17, called Nuyishu - Series V: Viriditas (confusing much? We suggest a dance-off to determine who gets to keep the name). The group exhibition features six Chinese artists paired with six Australian artists to facilitate dialogue and exchange in the conceptualization of their pieces. Multimedia and multicultural – I guess the only thing it’s not is multi-gendered. Free. Imagine Gallery (6438 5747)
And now for some manly exhibits (or at least not entirely womanly):
Through the Looking Glass. Surrealist photographs in a hip new art space at Sanlitun Village North. Free. Babu Space (6415 8616)
John Portman, Art & Architecture. A look back at the contributions of the American architecture, including his work on groundbreaking hotels in the 70s and 80s like the Bonaventure in Los Angeles and the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Free. Capital Museum (6337 0491)
