What's on

History Lessons

This is a multimedia group exhibition that explores the effects of history on the collective consciousness. Participating artists include Chen Shaoxiong, Liu Di, Liu Zheng, Shen Liang, Shi Xinning, Wang Jin, Wang Qingsong, WassinkLundgren, Wang Ziwei and Yan Lei.

This is a presentation of historic elements as they recur across various artworks, art mediums and artists output.

Until Nov 15. Pekin Fine Arts, N241 Caochangdi, Cuigezhuang, Chaoyang district. 5127-3220.

朝阳区崔各庄乡草场地村241号北京艺门

A+B+C/F=Futurismo

Through a vast and important selection of almost 250 pieces, the first monographic exhibition on futurism in China, organized by the Municipality of Alessandria, Namoc and the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, will illustrate the history of this first global avant-garde that developed at the beginning of the last century.

Futurism has had an indelible impact on arts, literature, photography, movies, theater, advertising graphic, fashion, design and cooking.

The exhibition includes masterpieces by world-renowned artists as Giacomo Balla and Carlo Carr, and posters, books, photos, costumes and pieces of furniture, since the very beginning of the movement, which was born in 1909 with the famous Manifesto of Futurism by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti.

Until Oct 28, 9 am-5 pm. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district. Call 6532-2187 or e-mail luo.rui@esteri.it.

东城区五四大街1号中国美术馆

Int'l Polo Tournament

The 2nd Beijing International Polo Open Tournament will be held from Sept 22 to 23 at the Beijing Sunny Times Polo Club in Yanqing county.

There will be international players from Australia's Riverlands Polo Club team, Chile's Miele team, New Zealand's Wanstead Polo Club team and the host team of China's Piaget representative team.

The four teams will compete for the Championship Cup, which is considered the highest honor of Chinese polo.

During the tournament, horse-themed large-scale cultural performances, exhibition of world famous horses, together with equestrian skill performances, will bring the audience a visual feast.

For more details, call 8464-8201 or 6913-3078.

Organic discounts

Local food provider Organic Farm is offering a 10-percent discount on the first purchase of any shopper who registers on their website by the end of the month.

Beijing Organic Farm Co Ltd was set up to support environment protection in China, as well as explore and improve Chinese organic foods.

Organic Farms Food Shuttles also deliver fresh organic food directly to your doorstep. For more details, call 6173-2247 or e-mail vip_bj@organicfarm.com.cn.

Royal city inside out

Find out in a guided city walk how, as a result of the rapid modernization of China, the royal city area and its people have been impacted.

Old Beijing was something like a Russian Doll in that it had many layers. Inside the inner city was a royal city and the core of the royal city was the Forbidden City. Only servants and businesses supporting the royal family could locate there, which explains why there were so many historical relics.

Meet at Exit B, Dongsi station on Subway Line 5 at 1:30 pm. The walk will end by 4 pm and is free of charge.

Oct 10. Call 151-1791-6648 or e-mail info@90percenttravel.com for more details.

Wild Great Wall hiking

This is a trip to a section that created an idiom in the Chinese language - "Iron and hot water".

Each part of the Great Wall is vastly different in appearance, made more distinct by the four seasons. The essence of this hike is to note the idyllic beauty of the wall, so we plan to start from an ancient village. The village was converted from an ancient castle, with old trees and mills still on display. After walking a mountain trail for half an hour, participants will reach the Great Wall.

Two hours later, the view of a lake from a beacon tower awaits you. The walk then becomes a great chance to learn about Great Wall defense work and construction techniques.

Meet outside McDonald's at Oriental Kenzo at 9 am, in the southeast corner of Dongzhimen Bridge. The trip costs 350 yuan or 290 yuan for children under 16.

Oct 16. Call 151-1791-6648 or e-mail info@90percenttravel.com for more details.

(China Daily 09/20/2010)