The Chinese capital's art scene is seeing a revival with the opening of Gallery Weekend Beijing, delayed due to the coronavirus. The week-long event includes discussions, exhibitions and public art installations. Our reporter Shen Li talks to the organizer to find out what goes into making it happen and what it means for the city's art community at this difficult time.
Beijing's 798 Art Zone comes alive once again.
Given that indoor attractions have largely been closed for the last three months, the relaunch of Gallery Weekend Beijing is a thrill for art lovers in the city.
This year's event features 22 galleries and institutions, presenting solo and group exhibitions, public art installations, forums and much more. Highlights include a collaboration with Zurich Art Weekend, the "Up & Coming Sector" which is dedicated to young Chinese talent and expanded digital offerings to engage international audiences, many of whom are in lockdown.
WANG YIFEI Director, Gallery Weekend Beijing "Initially we planned to have exhibitions of four art galleries from Zurich, but the artworks and the team couldn't come. But we've kept the talk section alive, and we will have two experts from each side discussing how our communities can better navigate through the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. Also there's the 'One Minute' project where we'll have art influencers from two sides making short videos, and posting on each other's social media. And it's not just during the event, it will become a regular thing. We believe it will lay a solid foundation for our collaborations in the future. For those who couldn't come in person, there's also our new mobile app containing audio and visual content."
The event had originally been scheduled for March, but had to be delayed over the COVID-19 crisis.
Wang said the special circumstances gives industry professionals a chance to look back on how things are done and what needs to be changed.
WANG YIFEI Director, Gallery Weekend Beijing "Our workload preparing for the Gallery Weekend Beijing has tripled this year. We have plans for pure physical representation, online representation and a combination of the two. In a way, the pandemic is a turning point for the whole art community, a catalyst for industry upgrade. It makes us think about the fundamental questions, like what is really necessary to promote good art and what is not."
SHEN LI 798 Art Zone, Beijing "Gallery Weekend Beijing is one of the first art initiatives to relaunch in China and the first gallery weekend since the outbreak internationally. By bringing local galleries and institutions together, the opening of its fourth edition signals the revival of Beijing's art scene and offers hope to other art scenes around the world."
The event also marks the re-opening of its two non-profit participants: UCCA Center for Contemporary Art and M WOODS. It runs until Sunday. Shen Li, CGTN.
