The Art Beijing 2011 Contemporary Art Fair brings together approximately 100 art institutions from nearly 20 countries and regions, including exhibition booths from 75 top contemporary art galleries and 10 photo galleries, along with 13 special thematic exhibitions. “Fashion + Design Beijing” and “Art Unforbidden: Collection Exhibition of Ullens Contemporary Art” are among this year’s highly anticipated thematic exhibitions. With its endeavors to reach beyond the scope of domestic art galleries, Art Beijing also builds local relationships and active introductions to new foreign resources, bringing its audience a world- leading art fair grows successfully rich in international diversity each year.

Art Beijing 2011 Thematic Exhibition —“Art Unforbidden: Collection Exhibition of Ullens Contemporary Art”

Curated by the Art Beijing Academic Committee

Sponsors: Art Beijing Contemporary Art Fair and Poly International Auction Co., Ltd.

In partnership with Poly Auction, the Art Beijing 2011 Contemporary Art Fair exhibits “Art Unforbidden: Exhibition Collection of Ullens Contemporary Art”. The striking range of works in this exhibition have been created by some of China’s most cutting-edge contemporary artists, including Zhang Xiaogang, Wang Guangyi, Yue Minjun, Long Liyou, Fang Lijun, Zeng Fanzhi, Liu Xiaodong, Zhou Chunya, Yu Youhan and Liu Wei. These artists have all made a significant impact on the form of Chinese contemporary art. In their works, we find fresh ideas and visions that challenge China’s aesthetic and cultural tastes with new approaches to expression and art creation.

Photo Beijing Thematic Exhibition — “N/1 Mixed Media” Exhibition

Art Director: Zhao Li

Curators: Li Bin and Wu Qiuyan

Project Director of the Forum: Teng Yuning

Sponsored by: Photo Beijing • Contemporary Art Fair

Location: National Agriculture Exhibition Center, Beijing

Date: 2011.4.29—5.2

The various new art media gradually came into being during the history of the western world and were introduced into China in 1990s. With the lack of object value context in the various media, the periodic thoughts of the domestic originators present a mixed status. This mental state releases the prohibition of cyclical culture in the subconsciousness of the group and blends in more national and democratic expressions. The art media considerations mentioned in this exhibition, such as media conversion, mixed presentation and N/1 experience, are trying to quantify the essence of art in this context and make them look more suitable within an eastern context. (Written by Wu Qiuyan)

About Watching:

The “watchers” who are closely related to the development of photography gradually enter into the “new space” which is composed of mathematic theories, films and electronic pixels and is totally different from that of the past humanistic era. They have abandoned the old ways of appreciating the photography only from their photographic techniques, photographing angle and presentation ways and thus appreciating the new art form through the brand new “watching” approach. The “watching” not only makes the watchers appreciate the beautiful scene expressed by the photography, but makes them care about the inner image reflected in the photos.

The “Watching” hopes that the watchers can discover the beauty of “picture” and the “beauty” of concept in the works. Since no matter how different art interprets reality, the past and the present, “beauty” is the eternal theme of art. (Written by Li Bin)

Condensing Form: Sui Jianguo, Liu Xuguang, Dong Wensheng, Jiang Zhi and Zhang Meng

Thought: Miao Xiaochun, Zhang Xiaotao, Wu Junyong, Po Hua and Lei Lei

Memory: Wu Wenguang, Wang Dongsheng, Chen Zhuo + Huang Keyi, Chi Peng, Liu Ren, Jin shan and Qiu Jiongjiong

Observation Context: Wang Qingsong, Wu Xiaowu, Hong Lei, Maleonn, Yu Fei, Liu Gang and Cai Hongshuo

Thinking Sense: Cui Xiuwen, Lin Jingjing, Shi Guowei, Chen Wei, Lao Liu and Liu Zhiyi

Wild Box Plan: Da Mao, Tan Qi, Ding Xin, Sheng Jie, Li Changqing, Wu Qiuyan, Feng Jiangzhou, Bai Chongmin, Xue Ting, Song song, Li Zenghui, Shang Liang, Liu Shiyuan, Li Daoshi, Li Bin, Feng Niu, Gao Yuan and Irie Keiji

Forum Theme: Mixed Experience of Media Scene ——Experiential of Modern Art Space

Organizers：Art Beijing Center for Visual Studies, Peking University

Location: National Agriculture Exhibition Center, Beijing, Hall VIP

Date: 2011.5.2 3:30-4:30

Fashion+Design Beijing: Theme Exhibition of Asian Designers

Art Beijing’s vitality stems from its broad vision, diverse exhibitions, and continual introduction of new themes and ideas. For “Fashion+Design Beijing”, a thematic exhibition of Asian designers at the Art Beijing 2011 Contemporary Art Fair, more than 20 renowned designers and artists from Japan, South Korea and China have been invited to exhibit their works. Most of the exhibitions showcase contemporary furniture, lighting and tableware design. Local designers have also won the attention of Art Beijing by implanting traditional Asian elements into their contemporary designs. The works on display consider form and function. Many of the works exhibited are also for sale.

An Organic Combination: Lifestyles of Contemporary Asian Designers

Curator: Song Tao

Artists: Song Tao, Sun Wentao, Liu Feng, Ja li, Chen Darui, Ma Xiaowei, Wang Zhenfei, Fei Ruo, Xie Dong, Wen Miao, Xiao Tianyu, Gu Qigao, Shao Fan, Shi Jianmin, Teng Fei, Masayuki Kurokawa（Japan）.

Exhibition Sections: HHD FUN Architectural Space Exhibition, Central Academy of Fine Arts Jewelry Exhibition, Art Carpets, Lacquerware and Traditional Crafts

The creative designers in this exhibition demonstrate confidence in their cultural identities and follow elegant yet simple design principles. They deftly integrate traditional and contemporary aesthetic design. Choosing a path that is strikingly different from mainstream industrial design, these designers have taken the time to inject their own philosophies and identities into their works. Reflecting regional cultures and their independent design philosophies, these designers are part of a renaissance of traditional culture in contemporary design.