Art Attack: Understanding Stupidity, Bike-In Movie and Wrestling Girls
This week, the guy who wrote the book on how stupid we all can be is in town to discuss, you have an opportunity to ride your bike to an outdoor movie on a balmy Saturday, and the Japanese wrestling women are back – for real this time.
Saturday, get your bike out and make the rather scenic trek (once you get past fifth ring) to the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, where Electric Shadows will screen Woody Allen’s Annie Hall outside in the art center's courtyard. It’ll be a fun, laidback atmosphere with Tiger Beer and Beijing snacks on hand, plus you get half off your movie ticket if you arrive on a bicycle.
If you, like me, have a sick fascination with stupidity, then you should check out the Encyclopedia of Stupidity. It’s for people who love the Darwin Awards but goes beyond that, with the author, von Boxsel, arguing that civilization is built on dumbness. Even better, the guy will be in town at The Bookworm on Tuesday, so you can ask him all your probing questions about why you: eat tons of cheese if you’re lactose intolerant (who, me?), get drunk and wake up with your face in the toilet, run marathons in the Beijing air, etc.
Operaheads might also be interested that I Sing Beijing, the program that teaches singers from all over the world how to belt it in Mandarin, has returned this year. And this time the finale is open to the public.
Also, those who were disappointed that Gaea Girls didn't show two weeks ago will be happy to know your time has come, this Wednesday.
Be sure to check out other events below, including more book talks, film screenings and art exhibits that are ending soon.
Aug 25
Bike-In Film Screening: Annie Hall
Tiger Beer, Beijing snacks and Woody Allen’s Annie Hall make for a fun afternoon. RMB 40, RMB 20 (arrive by bike). 5pm, 8pm (film starts). Three Shadows Photography Art Center (6432 2663)
Aug 28
Concert: I Sing Beijing
The unprecedented program returns as singers from the US, Europe and South America learn to sing in Mandarin. This year’s finale concert is open to the public. RMB 50-200. 7.30pm. NCPA (6655 0000)
Book Talk: The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Dutch writer Matthijs van Boxsel plumbs the depths of humanity’s dumbness with examples in fairy tales, cartoons, triumphal arches, garden architecture, jokes, flimsy excuses and science fiction, among other things. Brought to you by the Dutch Foundation for Literature. RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6503 9507)
Aug 29
Film: Gaea Girls
Dive into Japan’s own version of the WWF – where the wrestlers are women. RMB 40 (includes coffee or tea). 7.30pm. Riverbank Café (6506 8277)
In Conversation with Nabineeta Dev Sen
Award winning Indian poet, novelist and playwright Nabineeta Dev Sen and her daughter Nandana, an international actress and child rights activist, discuss Dev Sen’s fantastical works. RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6503 9507)
Aug 30
Film: The Wizard of Oz
There’s no place like home. And no dog like Toto. Free. 8pm. The Bookworm (6503 9507)
Inside Publishing: John Makinson, Penguin Chairman
Makinson, the chairman and chief executive of the Penguin Group. clues us in on what’s ahead for publishing. RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 1pm. The Bookworm (6503 9507)
EXHIBITS CLOSING SOON
Curated By Wang Xingwei: Specificity
Jul 21-Aug 30. Five unknown painters from Wang’s hometown get their big break. Free. UCCA (8459 9269)
Wang Mai: Dire Straits
Jul 21-Aug 30. A huge, absurdist forest embedded with traditional materials will be installed in the Nave. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)
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)
Photo: Robertwechsler.com
