China’s Art Scene
China’s art scene is gaining world acclaim. Just recently, there was an exhibit in D.C. that showcased artwork, just from China. Nearby where I live, there’s a place called 798 art district. It is an abandoned munitions factory that is now converted into multiple art galleries. With Beijing’s mundane skyline, sterile environment, and “cut-out” temples, this visit was a breath of fresh air. It is teeming with culture and “out of the box” thinking of upcoming artists, and maybe even a generation. Honestly, it caught me by surprise. It was a Monday, so most of the galleries were closed, but you can spend a day there just exploring the environment. The abandoned factory seems to just fit so well with what’s going on, as if something is rising out of the ashes of old China. It’s the de-synchronized relationship with “factory” and “art”. Where the term “opposites attract” rings so true. Once a place of “copies” and the expected is now a place of exploration, and the totally unexpected.
