Art Attack: Top Ten Stories of 2011
We know 2011 was the year of Weibo, the year of more debt crisis all over the world, the year of campus scandals, more natural disasters and Occupying everything possible. So how frivolous does it seem to talk about the biggest news in Beijing’s arts landscape? Not as frivolous as you might think.
10. Global obsession with the Chinese art market
Whether you’re talking record-breaking Chinese artworks or China becoming the world’s biggest art market, it’s been hard to knock about the news sites this year without coming up on some headline that mentioned the triumvirate of art, money and China. Will the bubble burst in 2012? We’ll just have to see.
9. The threat of losing the UCCA
As the world buzzed about the selling and buying of art in China, our own little homegrown independent art museum, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), was right in the thick of the tangle. That record-breaking piece was, after all, coming from the collection of Baron Guy Ullens himself, prompting rumors that the UCCA was facing an uncertain future. In those moments, Beijing’s art community realized what a gem we had in the institution, and how much it would hurt to lose it. Now, with new director Phil Tinari in place, things seem stabilized and we look forward to an exciting year.
8. Government makes all museums and libraries free
In a move to “un-eliticize” the country’s cultural institutions, China rolls out funding to make all state and provincial museums and libraries free to the public. Naturally, citizens wash their cabbage in the bathrooms.
7. Chinese authors land on Man Booker International Prize shortlist
Sure, the prize was launched in only 2005, but Su Tong and Wang Anyi reppin’ China on the shortlist is a major notch on China’s literary belt – and a harbinger of growing recognition of the quality of Chinese literature. 2012 will only have more to say on this matter.
6. Singers from the Met try their hand (or throat) at Peking Opera
For the first time ever, a cultural exchange invites some of the world’s best opera singers to Beijing to learn how to sing in Mandarin. That means learning the artful screeches of Peking Opera.
5. Your regularly programmed show will be interrupted
Not only did China take a break from police, spy and romance shows over the summer, it’s also giving the axe to "vulgar" shows that are essentially a little too entertaining for comfort. Those changes start Jan 2012, so get your dating show fix in before you ring in the new year.
4. Coming soon to a city near us: Manhattan?!
Yes, China’s building a brand spankin’ new version of Manhattan over in our friendly neighborhood port city of Tianjin. It promises unrivaled shopping, entertainment and cultural venues culled by the people who brought New York the famed Lincoln and Rockefeller Centers. Get your train tickets ready, folks.
3. Hollywood actors in Chinese films
Like fat kids on cake, Hollywood actors are seeing the gold mine (and sugar rush) of playing roles in Chinese movies. So far, Christian Bale and Kevin Spacey have made their debuts (though Spacey’s is still awaiting wide release). It seems Adrien Brody and Tim Robbins are next up to bat. What is it with Oscar types jumping on the China bandwagon? (As if that wasn't enough, Spacey even felt the need to hit the stage at the NCPA.)
2. China hops on the “soft power” train to world domination
OK, maybe not quite world domination. But let’s face it, China could use a few more friends, and a few less suspicious pseudo-friends (that’s you, US). And how will it earn those friends? Movies! Literature! Tofu! (All right, maybe not that kind of soft power.)
1. Chinese audiences kick ass
You know what stands out the most in all of this? How voracious an appetite the Chinese have, for all kinds of content everywhere. People here are engaged, plugged in, tuned in, turned on, whatever metaphor you want. They care. They’re following art. They’ll read books on paper, on the internet, on just about anything. They’ll attend operas, ballets, symphonies, orchestras from every which country in the world. And when there’s an artist or performer they really believe in, they’ll literally throw money at him … They are hungry, and it’s infectious. I’ll take what they’re having.
On that note, a very happy new year to you all! Thanks for reading, and see below for an admittedly scant scattering of events for the week. (Let’s be honest, how many of you plan to spend New Year’s Eve in an art gallery or concert hall? Yeah, thought so.)
Any stories we missed? What did you think were the most important cultural happenings of 2011?
Last chance to catch these exhibits:
Mo Yi: Through My Eyes
Until Dec 31. The eyes have it. Free. The Opposite House (6417 6688)
Fantasy of Childhood
Until Dec 31. Six young Chinese artists share their childhood dreams through painting, sculpture and photography. Also enjoy Ogilvy’s ongoing Digital Lab. Free. O Gallery (8520 6000)
AV@AR
Until Jan 3. A new digital arts venue opens with interactive short film programs, audio-visual performances and multimedia installations all focusing on digital media and technology. Free. China Millennium Monument Museum of Digital Arts (5980 2317)
Other events:
Dec 30
Musical: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The show based on Victor Hugo’s novel holds the Guinness World Record for most successful first year of any musical ever. RMB 280-1,680. 7.30pm. Beijing Exhibition Theater (6835 4455)
Dec 31
Film: Aftershock
Never got around to seeing how this blockbuster portrayed the events of the Sichuan earthquake? Find out now. RMB 25 (includes soft drinks and popcorn). 7pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Photo: NYTimes.com
