As a well-knowntourist attractionin East China's Zhejiang province, Wuzhen is often widely complimented by both tourists and locals.

Currently, the water town is embracing contemporary art by holding its first International Contemporary Art Exhibition beginning March 27.

The exhibition will display works by 40 influential artists from 15 countries and regions, including famous names like "the grandmother of performance art" Marina Abramovic, Damien Hirst, the father of the Rubber Duck Florentijn Hofman, Bill Viola and Araki Nobuyoshi.

The works on show cover installations, sculptures, videos, performance art, photos, paintings and sound art.

It will run through June 26.

"The event will be either a biennial or triennial one. It's the first time for a small town in China to hold such a large-scale exhibition with so many star artists from across the globe," says curator Feng Boyi.

Usually, biennial or triennial events are held in big cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. However, this event in the water town of Wuzhen can be seen as an attempt by a small town in China to attract art resources, says Feng.

Feng says that as many of the artists are creating works specially for this show they can make them blend with the ancient architecture of the water town.

The exhibition will be in two areas: the silk factory area and the tourist area that is known for its ancient houses along the river, which have East China's traditional garden-style architecture.

About 21 artists like Sui have so far visited Wuzhen to draw inspiration for the contemporary art show. Oliver Hirring, who is one of those who visited, stayed in the water town for more than a month.

Hirring plans to use performance art in Wuzhen, part of his global participatory performance art that focuses on impromptu actions and reactions.

Given that visitors to the exhibition will mostly be tourists, the organizers have invited well-known and popular artists from around the world, says Feng. The works that are exhibited should be easily accepted and understood by the public.Source: china.org.cn