Art Attack: Sherlock as Frankenstein, Instagram Photo Walk, Movies for Rainy Days

If you're a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch's neurotic but hilarious take on Sherlock Holmes, you might like him as Frankenstein, and this weekend there will be two chances to see him as such. Also, Juilliard's coming to Tianjin, Instagramers hit Jingshan Park and lots of great TV and movie-watching options abound as you try to avoid this dastardly weather.

It’s kind of cruel, but this Friday and Saturday, BC MOMA is hosting two screenings of Danny Boyle’s play, Frankenstein, broadcast live from London’s National Theatre. Benedict Cumberbatch, who delights in the BBC’s Sherlock series, will play Dr. Victor Frankenstein one night, then switch with fellow thespian Jonny Lee Miller to play the monster the other night. We don’t know which night is which, but we’re pretty sure they’ll both be amazing. Why is this cruel? Tickets are in such high demand that the only chance of getting one is by entering a lottery system. Head to their site now and enter your name, email address and phone number. Then cross your fingers and hope you get a call. Again, this is part of the UK Now Festival, which I must say, is bringing us some great stuff this year.

In other news, the hallowed halls of highly exclusive music school Juilliard (the stuff of Tiger Moms’ dreams) are staging an outpost in our not-so-little neighboring city, Tianjin. I can already hear the sounds of thousands of piano lids slamming down mid-practice as China’s protégés get on the next train for the new Binhai development. What will this mean for the swing of classical music dominance in China?

If you’ve always wanted to meet other like-minded photographers in Beijing – people who like taking pictures but aren’t so stuffy about it all – then you’ll want to head to this Sunday’s photo walk. IgersBeijing grew out of Beijing’s Instagram regulars, but all types of photographers are welcome. It’s great way to meet fun people and see our city in a whole new light. Details below.

For fans of sci-fi dystopia, BeijingBoyce has been hosting occasional Firefly screenings at Brussels Bar & Restaurant, with themed menu items to boot. The next session is set for Sunday, July 8. For more info about which episodes will be showing and what kind of victuals and tonics to expect, check out this post on Boyce’s site.

Ever think you’d collect graffiti art if you could somehow magic it off the underpass cement wall? Now’s your chance. If you’ve seen this blog post already, you’ll know you have until Sunday to bid on four different original works by Beijing-based crews and street artists. Proceeds go to Morning Tears Alliance, a group that serves children whose parents are in jail. More details at that link above.

Meanwhile, check out the other events below, including a last call for opera Tannhauser at the NCPA, some great exhibits in town and tons of movie screenings (Babe, Children of Men, The Maltese Falcon) – perfect for rainy days, which seem to be all the rage right now.

Enjoy.

EVENTS

Exhibits – Last Calls:

Luo Mingjun: Dust
Until Jul 3. Earthy yet ethereal new works from the woman who’s brought you huge paper boats and text printed on shot glasses. Free. Pekin Fine Arts (5127 3220)

Exhibits – Recently Opened:

Passion for Porcelain: Masterpieces of Ceramics
Jun 22-Jan 6. The story of China’s porcelain capturing minds, hearts and pocketbooks in Europe, told through the finest pieces from the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. Part of the UK Now Festival. Free. National Museum of China (6512 8910)

Indian Highway
Until Aug 26. It’s time to shine a light on India’s contemporary art (sculpture, photography, installations and more) in this exciting new exhibit. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

Do Not Erase
Until Aug 18. Work by artists from France, Switzerland, Brazil and the US in the largest show of street art to hit Beijing. Free. G-Dot Art Space (6057 3345)

Nobuyoshi Araki: Sentimental Journey/Decadence in Paradise 1971-2012
Until Aug 31. Early works and a recent series on the Japanese tsunami by the prolific photographer. Free. Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (6432 2663)

OTHER EVENTS:

Jun 30
Opera: Tannhauser
Wagner’s tale of a young singer’s choice between lust and love. RMB 100-580. 7.30pm. NCPA Opera House (6655 0000)

Jul 1
Film: Purple Butterfly
Zhang Ziyi, Liu Ye and Li Bingbing impress in this 2003 film of love and intrigue during the Japanese occupation. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students and seniors), RMB 20-25 (members). 4pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Opera Film: Norma
A film version of Bellini’s opera, known for its impossibly high demands on a soprano’s range. Free. 5pm. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666 ext 3032/3011)

Photowalk: Jingshan Park
Meet other photographers and enjoy a day out. For more details: igers_beijing@gmail.com or follow @igersbeijing on Instagram. Free. 1pm. Meet at Alley Cafe, across from Jingshan Park East Gate.

Jul 4
Art Talk: Beauty and Terror – A Discussion of Indigenous Australian Art
Hear the perspectives of a curator and writer from the Bandjalung people as well as a Chinese artist who’s worked extensively with Australia’s indigenous artists. RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6503 2050)

Film: Children of Men
Electric Shadows kick off their dystopian Cine Club series with this Alfonso Cuarón gem. RMB 40. 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar & Cafe (6506 8277)

Jul 5
Film: Babe
Who can resist a talking pig? Free. 9.30pm. The Veggie Table (6446 2073)

Film: The Maltese Falcon
Humphrey Bogart performs some top-rate detective work as Sam Spade in this classic. Free. 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

Photo: Calitreview.com