What's On

BEIJING

Exhibitions

Eternal bamboos: Colombian artist Juan Bernal is a great fan of traditional Chinese ink paintings. To mark his reverence for a time-honored Chinese art tradition, he is presenting his poetic depiction of bamboos for his debut exhibition in China.

"I understand that bamboo is a favorite subject for Chinese ink painters as it symbolizes noble virtues and moral integrity. Back in my home country, bamboo also plays an important role in the daily living and is part of the local culture," says the Colombian artist, whose works range from architecture, paintings to lithographs.

Apart from bamboos, the 16 groups of paintings on display also include works that are aimed at exploring the interaction between natural objects and elusive, ever-changing lights.

"We usually take for granted and do not take time to observe the importance and beauty of seemingly simple things, the elements of Mother Nature such as tree leaves, flowers, or sun light reflected by a drop of dew," explains the artist who often expresses in his artworks deep concern for dramatic environmental changes and the importance of ecological balance for mankind.

The exhibition is part of the cultural exchange activities between Colombia and China.

Time: 10 am-5 pm, until December 14

Place: Wanfung Art Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tel: 6523-3320

Fashion fiesta: Be Fabulous is a photo exhibition hosted by Moet & Chandon with the works of fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth. A name synonymous to high-octane glamour, feminine beauty and sensual energy, Von Unwerth's ability to capture the moment has defined a genre of photography that has inspired, provoked and humored the public for years.

Time: 10 am-5 pm, until December 6

Place: C5Art Gallery, Building F, BITIC, 5 Xiwu Jie, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6460-3950

Vanguard calligrapher: At 62, Wang Dongling still feels young at heat and full of energy. For decades, the artist has devoted himself to finding new possibilities for Chinese calligraphic art in contemporary life.

A solo exhibition of Wang's innovative calligraphic works that bridge Chinese characters, freehand (xieyi) ink painting and Abstractionist paintings is being held at the National Art Museum of China in downtown Beijing.

The exhibition highlights are a 37.5-metre-long and 5-meter-high hanging scroll inscribed with the 5,000-character Tao Te Ching, a 53-meter-long, 1-meter-high hanging scroll featuring the symbols of the Eight Triagrams and the 20,000-character text from the I Ching (Book of Change), and a set of elegantly transformed Chinese characters, inscribed on color photos featuring floral images.

Some of his best experimental calligraphic works have been shown at such prestigious museums as the Guggenheim Museum in the United States and the British Museum in UK.

Time: 9 am-4:30 pm,

until December 9

Place: National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tel: 8403-3500

shanghai

Concert

Korean crooners: South Korean pop group Shinhwa hear the shrieks of fans everywhere they go. Their Shanghai concert promises audiences musical versatility, unique dance moves and sensational stage effects.

Time: 7:30pm, December 15

Place: Hongkou Soccer Stadium, 444 East Jiangwan Road

Tel: 021-6217-3055

(China Daily 12/06/2007 page18)