In Focus
At 30-year-old, Christina Lionnet brings us her splendid photographic view of her four years in the Middle Kingdom, with a book simply entitled China, released by the German publishing house TeNeus.
It seems that it's been a long time since Chinese movies were screened in the West in small dark rooms reserved for art and independent films. Today, Chinese cinema is everywhere and is amassing awards as directors find themselves in the spotlight of the international scene. Furthermore, China offers a wealth of talent just waiting to be discovered. The Chinese film market seems to still have a bright future.
The 798 Arts Centre in Dashanzi, in north-east Beijing, recently added a newcomer to its list: the Iberia Centre for Contemporary Art. It opened in mid-April at the close of the "Year of Spain" in China, this space has serious potential.
Yin Dawei is a famous Chinese actor and director married to a Frenchwoman.
After an exhibition in 2007 in Germany alongside big names of the contemporary art world such as Jeff Wall and Cindy Sherman and an impressive personal exhibition at the Today Art Museum in Beijing which ended mid-May, Xia Xiaowan takes a look back on the major guidelines that have channeled his work.
Located in the business district, south-east of Beijing, the Today Art Museum offers an interesting window on Chinese and international creations. Its simple goal is to become the best contemporary art museum in the world.
In north-east Beijing, Dashanzi is certainly China's most famous art district. Artists and galleries show contemporary art from here, and elsewhere, in this former electronic equipment factory.
Guo Xueli and her husband are both passionate about Beijing Opera. The couple is trying to revive this traditional art on their own.
The Huasheng market, one of old Beijing's cultural centers, hosts a permanent a troupe of wrestlers that provides a quality show. You will be dazzled by a genuine moment of old-style entertainment showcasing exciting demonstrations of force, mast-throws and a very participatory audience.
Each year, the Chinese come to parks throughout the month of April to admire the cherry blossoms. Yuyuantan Park, on Beijing's west side, remains the best place to discover the Sakura Festival.
Zhu Xiu Cheng has taught taiji for the past two decades. The 54 year old Chinese man currently lives in Beijing and is also a fine calligrapher.
The Lantern Festival fell this year 2008 on the 21
st February. This thousand year old tradition marks the end of the Chinese New Year vacation. In Beijing, the Flowers of the World Garden is still the best place to enjoy the event.
During the Chinese New Year, tradition dictates that we got to the Miao Hui, highly colorful and popular fairs that take place at the major parks and temples of Beijing.
The Spring Festival is an opportunity for families to reunite and to initiate the new generations to this important and age-old Chinese celebration.
Every weekend, the Puppet Theatre of China offers rod puppets performances in northern Beijing.
Beijing’s first Independent Film Week ended the 23rd of December. Amateur filmmakers from around the world showcased 47 films during 6 days. A real opportunity to discover some cinematographic gems.
Located in the Beijing suburbs in the far east of town, Songzhuang is a place where artists, Chinese and foreign alike, can live and work.
Having opened on November 5
th in what used to be a disused factory of Dashanzi, in the North of Beijing, the Ullens Center of Contemporary Art holds a review of Chinese contemporary art as its first exhibition.
With a planned opening in 2005, the construction of the exterior of the China National Grand Theatre was finally finished two years behind schedule. The imposing building lies in the very heart of Beijing.
For the mid-Autumn Festival, Beijing's Longtan Park was decorated with thousands of beautifully shaped and various sized lanterns right through until October 7
th.
The first annual Nanluoguxiang Performance Festival was held September 15-16 in Beijing. The distinctive blend of punk-alternative and holistic subcultures offered a one-of-a-kind experience.
As a result of the burgeoning Chinese economy, traditional Chinese culture seems to have been put on the back burner. Nevertheless, aspects of traditional cultures still persist in everyday Chinese life.
Beijing was the country's capital city for the reign of 6 dynasties, most notably the glorious time of the Mings and the Qings. Seen from the sky, it shows a dignified architecture from the age of the emperors. Of the city's monuments, the most famous is probably Gu Gong( The Forbidden City). Proudly symbolizing Chinese architecture, it is also the most reliable witness of Chinese history.
Christina Lionnet: I want to show China’s diversity
The Chinese cinema: a dynamic centennial art
The Iberia Centre for Contemporary Art transcends borders
Yin Dawei, an accomplished director
Xia Xiaowan, a painter in volume
Today Art Museum: Contemporary art between the past and the future
Dashanzi displays contemporary art in a Bauhaus style
Guo Xueli sings Beijing Opera and beats her drum
The Huasheng market wrestlers fight for their traditional culture
Yuyuantan Park celebrates the Sakura Festival
Zhu Xiu Cheng, a master of taiji aesthete
The Lantern Festival puts an end to the Chinese New Year
The Miao Hui, Chinese New Year’s temple fairs
The Spring Festivalm a family holiday
Puppet Theatre of China - Beijing puppet shows
Beijing’s First Independent Film Week Opens
Songzhuang, the privileged residence place for artists
UCCA, a new centre of contemporary art with a unique touch
The China National Grand Theatre, a very controversial building
Longtan Park glowing for the Mid-Autumn Festival
Nanluoguxiang Shows Flair during Performance Festival
Traditional Culture
Beijing must sees
