By now, you have probably heard about 798, the former military and electronics manufacturing campus that has become "the" hot art district in Beijing akin to Soho in the early 80's (if you stretch your imagination a little). 798 is indeed fantastic - an unoffensive dip into local culture, replete with coffee houses and Mao propaganda. A must-do while in Beijing, without a doubt.
I was mesmerized by the art scene in Beijing. I wanted to learn about its tempestuous past when, as recently as the 1990's, artists had to hide from the police; and take advantage of the current, open environment, one which allowed me to visit artists in their studios while they worked. I was taken to the Songzhuang Artists Community by my guide. The community resembles a storage facility, simple concrete buildings with white walls and red doors. Wandering from studio to studio, the artists I met didn't speak English and seemed a bit shy, but were welcoming. It was the most intimate look into the culture I'd had during the 2 months I was there (well, that and the bikini wax). Songzhuang affected me in a profoundly personal way, and the visit was particularly momentous - there was talk while I was there that the artist communities could be shut down after the Olympics are over.
I was mesmerized by the art scene in Beijing. I wanted to learn about its tempestuous past when, as recently as the 1990's, artists had to hide from the police; and take advantage of the current, open environment, one which allowed me to visit artists in their studios while they worked. I was taken to the Songzhuang Artists Community by my guide. The community resembles a storage facility, simple concrete buildings with white walls and red doors. Wandering from studio to studio, the artists I met didn't speak English and seemed a bit shy, but were welcoming. It was the most intimate look into the culture I'd had during the 2 months I was there (well, that and the bikini wax). Songzhuang affected me in a profoundly personal way, and the visit was particularly momentous - there was talk while I was there that the artist communities could be shut down after the Olympics are over.
