Art Attack: Culture Wars, Chinese Fortune Telling and Indie Flicks

Have you all heard, Hu Jintao's declared a culture war on the West? There's a signed essay circulating that cites the invasion of cultural exports like Harry Potter and Lady Gaga, and the Chinese have to fight back – with "the advanced culture of socialism" guiding the way. Um, good luck going viral on Youtube with that one.

Unfortunately, even Uncle Hu can't do anything about the black hole of sorts we experience in Beijing at this point in the year, especially where new art exhibits are concerned. (All the workers they need to help install the crazy contraptions are getting ready to blow dodge for chunjie.) There is one exception to the rule, and quite an exciting one at that. Luckily, you've got a great set of choices for film screenings coming up, including the next in Krzysztof Kieślowski's "Three Colors Trilogy", a couple gems at the UCCA's Indie Film Forum Series, and a campy 1960s "Secret Agents Series" kicking off at new hipster joint Modernista (quick, here's your chance to be an early adopter). Read on for the details.

Part of "The Stars" – the clan that started it all – Huang Rui has continued to rise in the Chinese contemporary art world, and we'll be treated to an installation of his opening up at the Opposite House starting Jan 10. The exhibition will run for three months and will explore his ongoing work with the I-Ching, or Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese divinatory text. In a performance that took place in December, he invited participants to act out the potential combinations of the I-Ching's various hexagram symbols. If you're one of those folks who's all into finding your destiny through ancient Eastern texts, you should be all over this one.

All the film screenings we mentioned above have their details and more info down below. Now's a good time to cozy up with a room full of strangers and get your indie film fix. (A general rule for this time of year: indoor activities = good.)

For those who enjoyed our December art feature on Zhang Dali's photograms, this weekend is your last chance to catch the etherial blue prints by one of China's old guard artists.

And of course, those still hanging on to the last dregs of holiday festivity can still catch The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty at the NCPA.

Stay warm!

Art Openings:

Jan 10
Huang Rui: I-Ching Together
Interactive performance art and sculpture installation. A fresh look at works by one of China's longest-standing contemporary artists, based on his exploration of the Book of Changes, the ancient text that recognizes the power of chance in our lives. Free. The Opposite House (6417 6688)

Last calls:

Depth of Field
Until Jan 6 (yep, that's today!). Belgian’s best young photographers present a range of styles: absurdist, historic, portrait and punk. Free. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (6432 2663)

Zhang Dali: World’s Shadows
Until Jan 8. The artist who left his silhou- ette on demolition sites all around Beijing in the ’90s is now using cyanotype pho- tography to striking effect. See Feature, p50. Free. Pekin Fine Arts (5127 3220)

Stage:

Jan 6-7
Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
The Kremlin Ballet Theatre brings Princess Aurora back to life. Next time, keep her away from those spindles. RMB 180-1,080. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)

Jan 11-12
Ballet: The Nutcracker
The very classical Ballet be l’Opera National de Bordeaux takes on this cold- weather favorite. RMB 180-1080. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)

Film Screenings:

Jan 7
Indie Film Forum Series: Pear
Zhang Ciyu’s debut feature about a young couple who resort to prostitution to pay for their new house. Director talk to follow. RMB 15, RMB 10 (students). 2pm. UCCA Art Cinema (8459 9269)

Film: Shower
Da Ming returns to Beijing thinking his father’s dead, only to find he’s been lured back to face the demolition of his child- hood home. Reservation required; email contact@cultureyard.net. RMB 25 (includes soft drinks and popcorn). 7pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Jan 8
Indie Film Forum Series:The Cold Winter
A riveting documentary following artists forced from their studios during 798’s rampant development in the winter of 2009-2010. Director talk to follow. RMB 15, RMB 10 (students). 4pm. UCCA Art Cinema (8459 9269)

Jan 8 & 12
Film, Sixties Secret Agent Series: Our Man Flint
Modernista kicks off their Sixties Secret Agent series with this over-the-top spoof of the James Bond franchise. Free. 5.30pm. Modernista (136 7127 4747; see Nightlife directory)

Jan 11
Film: Blanc
The second in the trilogy (see Jan 4) ponders the concept of equality. This ironically dark comedy follows a Polish man seeking revenge for his humiliating divorce. RMB 30 (includes coffee or tea). 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar and Café (6506 8277; see Nightlife directory)