Inner Ear exhibition to be held

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 and Ren Hang were born 13 years and over 2,500 kilometers apart and their styles and subject matter could not be more dissimilar.

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

Fabrique en Chine

In this exhibition, artists attempt to show that domestic products are neutral and that the idea of "Made in China" no longer exists.

Fabrique en Chine is a collection of works by the Chinese Artists Group Exhibition. Participating artists include Jiang Jie, Jing Kewen and Liu Ye, among others.

Domestic products are sometimes criticized by Chinese contemporary artists for their promotion as neutral goods in an international market.

This is a study of whether Chinese products are homogenous or if they have returned to their traditionally distinct roots.

Until March 27. Beyond Art Space, 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district, 5978-9561.

朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区别处空间

Beyond-ism

This is an exhibition by artist Sun Xun that consists of three parts.

The first part - 10 huge ink drawings and frames of animation video - was devised in Japan.

The second part - the drawings for the animation - was completed in Beijing, though firstly exhibited at Aichi Triennale 2010 in Japan.

The third part - hand-drawn renderings and video - was exhibited at Rockbund Museum in Shanghai.

The whole process is combined with a site-specific drawing and on display in Beijing.

Sun's works are predominantly monochromatic, highly-detailed hand-drawn animation films. They investigate the construction and narration of history.

Like most of Sun's recent animations, Beyond-ism also features a key protagonist - a magician dressed in a black suit and a top hat. As the only legitimate liar, he coins the most beautiful myth in the world, which is a misty mirage, but turns the world upside down.

Sun was born in Fuxin in Liaoning province in 1980. He graduated from the printmaking department of the China Academy of Fine Arts in 2005 and established "Pi" Animation Studio in 2006.

Until Mar 6, 11 am-6 pm. Shanghart Beijing, 261 Caochangdi, Old Airport Road, Chaoyang district, 6432-3202.

朝阳区草场地261号

Events

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Lev Ivanov and based on the music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, it was given its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in 1892.

The Nutcracker is a fantasy story that is perfect for children. It has become one of the most famous compositions by Tchaikovsky.

This version, by the National Center for the Performing Arts, is a bold exploration and reflection on the cultural fusion between the East and the West.

Feb 24-26, 7:30 pm. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, 6655-0000.

国家大剧院

Lecture by fashion photographer

This lecture, by Chinese fashion photographer Trunk Xu, relates his habit and passion for collecting stories from people in all walks of life.

Xu began taking photos in 2003 while living in the UK. In this presentation he will recall personal stories and explore some precious memories and vivid moments.

Feb 13, 2 pm-3:30 pm. UCCA, 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district, 8459-9269.

尤仑斯当代艺术中心

La Traviata

This is the last part of Popular Trilogy by Verdi, the Italian romanticist composer.

The original version of the story is from Dumas Fils' famous novel Lady of the Camellias.

La Traviata was initially performed on Mar 6, 1853. After adaptation, it became one of the most popular works in opera houses around the globe.

Among Verdi's pieces, it has the greatest number of famous selections. Dumas Fils once said of it that: "Fifty years later, people may not remember my novel, but Verdi has made it immortal."

Feb 13-17, 7:30 pm. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district. 6655-0000.

国家大剧院

Bars & Clubs

Tribute to Bob Marley

Beijing's Pop-punk bands gather together to celebrate Jamaican Reggae legend Bob Marley by playing out punk-tinged covers of his most famous hits.

Feb 11, 8:30 pm. 60 yuan (pre-sale 50 yuan). Mao Livehouse, 111 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district, 133-6612-1459.

鼓楼东大街111号

Amped@The Bookworm

Beijing-based singer-songwriter Jess Meider blends soulful vocals and folky guitar tunes at The Bookworm.

Feb 12, 8 pm. Free. The Bookworm, Courtyard 4, Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang district, 6503-2050.

工体东路4号院

All Guitar Stars Party

Yugong Yishan keeps the Chunjie celebrations going with the All Guitar Stars Party. Tang Dynasty guitarist Chen Lei and other esteemed local guitarists celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with guitar-shredding riffs and acoustic chords inspired by the furry animal.

Feb 13, 8 pm. 50 yuan (pre-sale 40 yuan). Yugong Yishan, Zhang Zizhong Road 3-2, Dongcheng district, 6404-2711.

张自忠路3-2号

Valentine's Day Special

Love is in the air at Q bar. Intimate booths, free chocolate mousse and Valentine's Day-inspired cocktails are on offer.

Feb 14, 9 pm. Free. Q Bar, 6/F The Eastern Inn Hotel, 6 Baijiazhuang Lu, 6595-9239.

白家庄路6号逸羽酒店6层

Valen-who?

For those planning to avoid the saccharine sweetness of Valentine's Day, hop over to The Stumble Inn and take advantage of the all-day happy hour and free chocolate cheesecake.

Feb 14. The Stumble Inn, 3/F Sanlitun Village, Chaoyang district, 6417-7794.

三里屯Village 3层

Flamenco Night

Enjoy tapas and sangria to the tunes of a live flamenco guitar band as this year's Spring Festival comes to a close.

Feb 17. Water Bar, Solana, Chaoyang Gongyuan Xi Lu, Chaoyang district, 5905-6008.

朝阳公园西路6号

China Daily

(China Daily 02/10/2011)