THE SCENE AND THE ROLES

Konferenz zur Avantgarde in China

The works of numerous Chinese artists are consistently engaged in existential questions, which primarily assimilate the enormous reforms and innovations of the country, looking for a new positioning within the cultural traditional threads – and with respect of the globalized world. The analysis is different, and ranges from the imagination to straight confrontation. A kind of self-reflection has started, and the examination of the perceptions dissatisfied, self-critical – to separate the wheat from the chaff within the art scene.Finally the issue is, which could be the artists´ answers to the global questions.  Today these artists are part of this discussion, much more than over the period of the first democratic movements of artists following the “cultural revolution” in China: the “stars” (“Xing Xing”) in 1979 and 1980. 10 years later, in spring 1989, shortly before “June 4^th”, the exhibition “No Return” in Beijing has still been rather introversive. The conference is divided into three parts, discussing the following main questions:
Part 1: „Looking back to future“The conference ought to come up with the traceability of the development of the Chinese Avantgarde since 1979. This must be necessarily seen in the context of the social events in China, as the Chinese arts have to be considered as political arts. To look back will give chances to discuss the future.  Part 2: „The scene and the roles“The influence of the art market is most evident. Therefore the different roles in the art scene (artists, curators, galleries, collectors, art critics, …)and the instrumentalisation of the art by the market will be subjects of the conference - in particular the influence by foreign collectors and gallery owners, exerted from the beginning.  Part 3: „Serve the people“The third issue will be a critical reflection on actual positions of artists and their relevance and influence on the current social dynamics in China.  The conference is combining theoretical discussion with a personal view on art works. Therefore three visits to exhibitions in Frankfurt are included, which take place at Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Schirn Kunsthalle and Leonhardi Kulturprojekte (in Karben near Frankfurt). The visits are called “look at” and will include art works from 1965 till today.

Schedule

  Samstag, 10.10.200912:00 h             reception desk open for participants  14.00 h             Opening speeches:
                        Prof. Dr. Schneider (Director Museum für Angewandte Kunst)
                        Peter Schneckmann (Chairman „Drachenbrücke“)
Part 1              „Looking back to future“ 14.45 h             key-note “Looking back to future”: ZHANG Shuo (Beijing) &                         Peter Schneckmann (Frankfurt) 15:30 h             public discussion  17:00 h             “look at“ No. 1”: exhibition „Sit in China“, 18:30 h             bus transfer to Karben (near Frankfurt)
19:00 h             “look at” No. 2:Opening of the exhibition „Double Happiness“,                           Leonhardi Kulturstiftung e.V.   Sonntag, 11.10.2009Ort: Staatl. Hochschule für Bildende Künste – Städelschule, Dürerstraße 10, Frankfurt
10:00 h             Opening speech:                          Prof. Dr. Daniel Birnbaum (Director Städelschule) Part 2              „The Scene & the Roles“ 10:10 h             Moderation & introduction: ZHANG Shuo (journalist, Beijing)
10:30 h             Statement 1: Alexander Ochs (gallery owner, Berlin, Beijing)
10.50 h             Statement 2: ZHU Luming (director “vis-a-vis art lab”, Xiamen, 11.20 h             Statement 4: ZHOU Tao (artist, participant of exhibition “Double  11.30 h             break 12:00 h             public discussion  Part 3              “Serve the People” 14:00 h             „look at“ No. 3: “Art for the Millions – 100 sculptures from the  15:30 h             Moderation & introduction: Robert Adanto (film director,                          Los Angeles)
15:40 h             Screening of „The rising tide“ (film by Robert Adanto) 17:10 h             break 17:30 h             Input of YANG Lian (writer, board member P.E.N.- international,                          GreatBritain) 18:00 h             Panel discussion with                         YANG Lian, ZHU Luming, XIAO Ge, ZHANG Shuo,                         HU Fang (artistic director of Vitamin Creative Space,                         Guangzhou, Beijing)
Die Konferenz wird in englischer Sprache durchgeführt.
Tagungsgebühr:
Euro 30,-. In der Tagungsgebühr sind Imbiss und Getränke enthalten.  
Information und Anmeldung (bis 5. Oktober 2009):
http://www.kultur-hessen.de/de/Bildende_Kunst/Aktuelle_Nachrichten_Bildende_Kunst/Konferenz_zur_Avantgarde_in_China/index.phtml
Peter Schneckmann (Drachenbrücke) Tel.: 069/ 97845511, email: ps@drachenbruecke.com
Veranstalter:

Drachenbrücke e. V. in Kooperation mit dem Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt a. M., Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung und der Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hessen e. V.

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