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UCCA, a new centre of contemporary art with a unique touch
Having opened on November 5th 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. 
"When it comes to art, China envies nothing from the West," say Li and Shan, two students of Visual Arts from Jingdezhen, in the Southeastern province of Jiangxi, when visiting the newly opened Ullens Center of Contemporary Arts (UCCA.) Located in the artistic and trendy neighbourhood of 798, in Dashanzi, to the Northeast of Beijing, the centre opened its doors to the public on November 5th with the exhibition "85 New Wave: The Birth of Chinese Contemporary Art." This exhibition will be held until February 17th, and shows the work of thirty Chinese artists of contemporary art."
Founded by Guy Ullens, a Belgian collector of ancient Chinese paintings who is now mainly a humanitarian worker (just like his wife Myriam), UCCA covers 8000m² on two stories. UCCA's aim is simple - "We would like this centre to be a window to the world of art, a trip through the richness of contemporary creativity," explain the Ullens'.
The minimalist architecture of the building is the work of French Jean-Michel Wilmotte, known for his work "Pavillon des Sessions" in the Louvre Museum in Paris, and Ma Qingyun, responsible of the Chinese cabinet of architecture MADA s.p.a.m. The colour of the building oscillates between tones of white, grey and black, and is divided into three exhibition rooms. A particular effort has been made with the lighting, which comes from the centre of the ceiling. It's natural light, so it doesn't damage the art.
After the reception room, with its long grey reception desk facing the shop, decorated with black netted signs, is the first exhibition room. The room is imposing with its high white walls and grey cement floor. This room hosts the works of Yu Youhan, Ding Yi, Li Shan and other Chinese artists born between 1950 and 1960. The room is uncomplicated, with just the art, and the artists' biographies displayed on the walls.
