Exhibits and cultural events in Beijing

Exhibits

Inner Ear

Inner Ear, the latest addition to UCCA's Curated By... series, showcases two very different young talents working on the frontiers of Chinese photography.

Qiu's poetic black and white images are often grainy or blurred: like scenes glimpsed through a pane of rain-spattered glass, they evoke memories of rural southern Chinese landscapes and a rapidly disappearing way of life.

Ren Hang's clean lines, vivid colors and playful eroticism reflect the new urban China: his young subjects strike poses in sterile apartments, couple on nondescript sofas, crouch on cold porcelain toilets or tiled bathroom floors.

Like the inner ear, whose differentiated parts are necessary for hearing and equilibrium, the work of Qiu and Ren Hang allows us to hear more clearly the voices of this generation and to maintain our sense of balance in an age of imbalance.

Until March 9, 10 am-7 pm. UCCA, 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district, 8459-9269.

尤仑斯当代艺术中心

Together or Isolated

This year Pace Beijing will launch a project titled Beijing Voice.

Beijing Voice: Together or Isolated will discuss some phenomena and questions existing in Chinese contemporary art in the form of a group exhibition. Participating artists include Hu Xiaoyuan, Huang Ran and Liang Yuanwei.

In this exhibition, an explicit theme will be intentionally eliminated. Works will be juxtaposed and presented in a particular manner that aims to highlight the works and enables the audience to reflect on the art specifically without being too concerned with the exhibition's theme.

Beijng Voice aims to review and reflect on the art phenomena of the past year. China's speeding development has turned it into a nation that can hardly slow down. During the process, stress and anxiety are inevitably produced. This exhibition highlights the anxiety that not only troubles individuals, but also confuses various artistic institutions and organizations.

Until Feb 28. Pace Beijing, 798 Art Zone, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district, 5978-9781.

朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798艺术区佩斯北京画廊

Wang Shugang's bronze figures

RedBox Studio, in partnership with Alexander Ochs Galleries Berlin Beijing is presenting an installation of figure sculptures by Wang Shugang at the atrium of The Opposite House.

The exhibition is made up of bronze figures, giving the space a different dynamic.

Wang is an accomplished Beijing-based artist who returned to China in 2000 after developing his career for over a decade in Germany. He lives and works in Beijing. His works have been widely exhibited between China, America and Europe and are publicly displayed in China, Germany and Canada.

As a graduate of the prestigious Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Wang demonstrates an exceptional command of the traditional medium in his sculptures, combining the figuration of 20th century Realism with Buddhist iconography and scenes of daily life in China.

The conflict between tradition and modernity and the palpable loss of history and culture in the midst of rapid urbanization and artificial mass production often result in themes of nostalgia and reflection for Wang and his contemporaries.

His figurative work, strengthened when viewed en masse, displays a rich expression of the sense of community and, when displayed in an urban landscape, provides a playful reflection on the quiet moments of daily life in China.

Until March 31. The Opposite House, The Village at Sanlitun, Building 1, 11 Sanlitun Beilu, 6417-6688.

三里屯北路11号

Events

Rhinoceros in Love

Rhinoceros in Love is an allegory of human sprit, rather than a real love story.

It tells a tale of a man who is in love with a woman and does everything he can for her. Protagonist Ma Lu, a monomaniac in others' eyes, over-exaggerates the differences between two women as his friends point out.

He can be considered a rhinoceros among people - an eccentric man, in today's world, where everyone knows how to make a wise choice.

Being wise means refraining from doing impossible, illogical and unthankful things, but that is not how Ma Lu thinks. The truth is that without monomania, there would be no breakthroughs, no progress and no new beginnings.

Feb 11 to Feb 14, 7:30 pm. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, 6655-0000.

国家大剧院

Relax at the Summer Palace

Celebrate the most splendid and eagerly anticipated of holidays with delectable Chinese New Year cakes and beautifully packaged hampers from China World Hotel, Beijing.

Choose from fish cakes, coconut milk cake, turnip cake, an assortment of dumplings stuffed with lotus, red bean or sesame pastes, or a selection of Chinese New Year gift sets and Spring Festival hampers.

For Spring Festival celebrations, choose from an inviting selection of set menus made up of Huaiyang and Cantonese dishes.

For reservations, call 6505-2266 Ext 34, or the Restaurant Reservations Center on 6505-5838.

Clubs & Bars

ELVIS T new album party

One of the most sought-after DJs in the Chinese electronic scene and chief producer for Acupuncture Records, Elvis T, warms up the crowd for the launch of his second album Pathway at Friday's pre-release party.

Be sure to grab the free mix CDs handed out on the night.

Jan 28, 10 pm. The House, north gate of the Workers' Stadium, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang district, 6552-6661.

朝阳区工体北路工人体育场北门

Afrokoko roots production presents New Year Party Jam

Beijing-based Afrobeat collective Afrokoko Roots will celebrate the Chinese New Year early and team up with Binkabi and The O.N.E Band for a night of Nigerian Afrobeat, Jazz, Ska and Reggae at Mao Livehouse.

Jan 29, 9 pm. 111 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng district, 6402-5080.

东城区鼓楼东大街111

DJ Stretch Armstrong

There are many parties to choose from to see in the Chinese New Year, but this one stands out from the crowd.

Internationally renowned DJ and all round musical maestro, Stretch Armstrong, once again returns to Beijing to play more rocking beats and electro to the heavy crowds at Punk.

Feb 2, 10:30 pm (free until 11pm). B1, The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district, 6410-5222.

三里屯北路11号

Double trouble pub quiz

After all the Chunjie excitement, the Kro's Nest will give people the chance to wind down with their weekly pub quiz.

The pub hosts bring American trivia to town and there are prizes to be won with each round.

From 10:30 pm onwards, grab discounted drinks in the special post-trivia Happy Hour.

Feb 3, 8 pm. 35 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang district, 8391-3131.

朝阳区霄云路35号

China Daily