in the compound
a few days ago i excitedly took a cab to 798 art district in the dashanzi area of chaoyang – a hip and happening part of beijing.
i’d always wanted to go/come to the motherland, but 798 was a recent catalyst in my wanderlust. i read about it b/c of the sui jianguo and liu xiaodong exhibitions at work (both are impactful modern chinese artists), and since then, had been starry-eyed about this mythical and magical place (which boasts a fascinating industrial heritage and houses a former german factory). pardon my naivete, but i perceive 798 as the spawning ground for contemporary art in china. a trip to beijing would’ve been incomplete without checking out this huge commercial/cultural/artistic space.
a few galleries had special receptions, so i lucked out on soaking up extra positive vibes. i was totally awestruck seeing 798 in action. one thing i was particularly fond of: the gallivanting multigenerational families. this was definitely not your sf first thursdays hipster hangout (whew). at nightfall, artists and art lovers squatted outside the galleries smoking, chatting, and sipping wine, while construction workers did their thing on bamboo scaffolding. couples were holding hands and grandparents were chasing after rambunctious wee ones. a group of twenty-somethings, probably college students, gleefully met a particular artist (see mark ryden-esque painting below, not my cup of tea) – it was so sweet seeing them ooh and aww over the catalogue that said artist had signed for one of them.
on top of all that, it’s just a super-cool place to explore! it could easily take half a day, between the countless galleries, shops, and opportunities for tea breaks. sprawling networks of gas pipes, water lines, and so forth create a distinctive (somewhat cool, somewhat eerie) ambiance.
in conclusion, finally experiencing 798 in all its glory made me very happy.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
sister!!!!
You are so amazing!!! Where did you ever learn to write so well!!! I’m so jealous. How am I so horrible? Sigh. Berkeley is pissing me off more and more everyday. My best is never good enough because my stupid GSI who is clueless, annoying, and naive thinks he’s the shit and has complete control over our self-esteems. I won’t say anymore for fear he might come across this someday; some freak chance. Shit. I’m off to office hours soon with my really quirky, funky, and eccentric shaved head ray ban glasses hipster professor and wish I was there. you are my idol sister!!! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. YOU INSPIRE ME. YOU HAVE MADE MY DREAMS COME TRUE. YOU HAVE PUSHED ME TO FULFILL MY DREAMS AND I’M FOREVER GRATEFUL YOU SICKENING PERFECTIONIST WHO ALWAYS SUCCEEDS!!! I LOVE YOU!!! WHEN WE BOTH GO TOGETHER AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME TO ALL THESE PLACES.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I’ve been hackling Paul so much on gmail. Like “Paully..Paullly…Paullly want a cracker????” and “Thank you for being so good to sissy!” He’s like, “Um..” Oh…and I love you!!! and don’t cry. AND…(faux pas in writing: Never start sentence with “and”) I MISS YOU/LOVE YOU..CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU. WHAT DAY/TIME YOU COME BACK FROM CHINA?WHICH AIRPORT? THE FOOD LOOKS ORGASMIC!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
OH MAN SO AMAZING! You’re right, the Mark Ryden type shit is whatever, but that looks like such a sweet neighborhood. I especially like that painting of the bespectacled guy with the yellow necktie with the low angle lighting; do you happen to know who painted it?
I also noticed all the whities in the galleries. OH ART WORLD, YEW ARE SO CRAJEE
September 20th, 2007 at 7:01 am
wow, so much love in the commentary. thanks guys!
sister, just chill, okay? you and your academic worries – they’re totally unfounded. i miss you!
hellen, that’s MY FAVORITE PAINTING TOO!
yay!
i took a pic of that artist’s bio, it’s in my flickr somewhere.
you guys would’ve loved this place.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:13 am
more art photos! these are totally cool. i always wondered what young people thar yonder were painting….
September 28th, 2007 at 6:25 am
[...] second, 50 moganshan, resembled 798 in beijing in concept and appearance. i guess they’re trying to brand it as “m50.” nestled [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Jenn, I love your blog! I don’t know how you have the time to roam the streets of China with a fine-toothed comb and still have time to document it all. You’re pictures are amazing and I love all the random shots. Be safe!