From the late artist Zao Wou-ki’s sketch drafts, measuring just a few centimeters, to installation art spanning several meters — resembling an ancient tree with branches that almost touch the ground — robots designed and developed jointly by artists and technology companies, the drastic transformations taking place in the world of art and in other aspects of social, economic and technological progress are being unveiled for the first time at a contemporary art fair.
And these are just a few of the interesting displays at the ongoing Beijing Dangdai Art Fair, which opened on Thursday at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center. Running through Sunday, galleries in Beijing's major cultural zones, such as 798, are showing the works of artists who have collaborated for years and have recently been discovered. Also participating are galleries from other cities to offer audiences a fresh perspective of the art landscapes outside Beijing, as well as institutions from abroad taking the opportunity to promote international artists to art enthusiasts.
The opening of the fair also unveiled the 2026 Beijing Art Season, during which the Beijing Dangdai, Beijing Design Week and Gallery Weekend Beijing collectively contribute to the vibrant atmosphere that positions the capital as an important destination on the global art calendar.
Solo exhibitions represented by galleries have increased at the fair in recent years, showcasing the long-term support between artists and galleries and allowing artists to highlight their transformations.
Meanwhile, through its official application Artloop, visitors can search and locate art institutions and lifestyle venues across the city. For example, works by six artists and artist collectives are now on show in the off-site exhibition, WONDER · China World Mall, until May 31. It aims to highlight the Beijing Art Season's evolution from a temporally concentrated event into an urban lifestyle that can be continuously experienced and engaged in.
