"Zooming into Focus: Contemporary Chinese Photography and Video"
2004-02-18 until 2004-03-28
Shanghai Art Museum
Shanghai, , CN China

Contemporary art in China reflects the countrys rising influence as an economic, political and cultural force in the global arena. Chinese artists, especially those working in photography and video, are gaining international recognition for their powerful art works that address a rapidly changing society that is influenced by Western ideals and art practice, yet remains distinctly Chinese in its content and aesthetic.

Zooming into Focus: Contemporary Chinese Photography and Video from the Haudenschild Collection will present the works of many of the most noteworthy Chinese artists working today, and will highlight the remarkable photography currently being created in China, a country that is undergoing tremendous development and growth. This swift transformation of Chinese culture is reflected in the work of each of the artists, who comment on contemporary Chinese urban life with intelligence, wit, foreboding and nostalgia.

This is the first time a major photo and video collection from overseas comes back for an exhibition in China (Shanghai is the second station, Zooming into Focus was first presented at San Diego State University Gallery and the San Diego Museum of Art. The third station will take place in Mexico).

Zooming into Focus is the biggest survey on new Chinese photography and video art to be shown at the Shanghai Art Museum. Over 50 works, from photography to video and installation work by 14 artists: Cao Fei, Chen Shaoxiong, Feng Mengbo, Hong Hao, Shi Yong, Weng Fen, Xiang Liqing, Xu Zhen, Yang Fudong, Yang Yong, Yang Zhenzhong, Zhao Bandi, Zheng Guogu and Zhang Peili will be presented on the entire 3rd floor of the museum covering over 1,000 m2. The participating artists have previously been shown at the Venice Biennale, Shanghai Biennale, Dokumenta Kassel, Mori Museum Tokyo, Yokahama Triennale, MoMA New York as well as in museums in China. They represent the most talented emerging artists in China today.

This is the first time the Shanghai audience will have the opportunity to see the mayor works of the new Chinese generation who is starting to receive international recognition and acclaim around the world. Articles on these young artists have already appeared in publications from the New York Times to Artforum and more.

This exhibition is presented through a generous loan from the Haudenschild Collection. Noted art collectors, Eloisa and Chris Haudenschild have created one of the most important collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world. Focusing on the work of experimental artists from Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai, the collection and the exhibition will make ground breaking contributions to the field of international contemporary art. The exhibition will also offer a unique opportunity to local art lovers and collectors to learn about collecting art, especially new media art. Symposium:  °?Distance ®C a Discussion on Contemporary Chinese Photography and Video Art Development°± China Art Academy, Hangzhou, March 23rd and 24th 2004. The symposium in Hangzhou will be an important International discourse on New Chinese Video and Photography. It will bring together world-renowned artists, curators and scholars for a series of presentations and an open discussion.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for China

Other Important Exhibitions in China