Tuesday 19 May, 2009
Beijing's two British Exhibitions
There are not one but two stunning British exhibitions in China right now. For those of you who live here, see them while there's time!
The first is called Turner from the Tate Collection - the National Art Museum of China in the centre of town is exhibiting 112 of JMW Turner's major paintings from the 18th century. It is the largest and most comprehensive collection of his works ever exhibited in China. According to China Daily, "no other artist has so influenced Chinese oil and watercolour as Joseph Turner". He also had a profound influence on 19th century European impressionists. The exhibition has already blown the roof off NAMOC - parts of it had to be taken down to get these priceless paintings in. The Tate Museum and the British Council have combined to produce the most ambitious British Council exhibition in China to date. This is an important statement of our increasingly rich and creative cultural ties. If you can't get to see it, why not join the 7 million who have already viewed the exhibition on the web? www.britishcouncil.org.cn; www.namoc.org; www.tate.org.uk/britain/turner
Norham Castle, by JMW Turner
The second is an exhibition of John Thomson's late 19th century photographs taken across China. This was at the Millennium Museum just next to the Military Museum metro stop in Beijing, and is now touring other Chinese cities. His skill in particular as a portrait artist is extraordinary. The pictures offers a rare and accurate window on another time. The painstaking selection and restoration make this an unusual treat.
Beijing is an increasingly interesting and active cultural centre - from the recently renovated private quarters of Emperor Qianlong in the Forbidden City, to the continued vibrancy of the modern 798 Art District. London is, too - it is changing all the time, and the shift in the exchange rate has made it an attractive destination for overseas travellers. Both cities are richer for the increasingly ambitious exchanges between us.
Posted at 09:30 19 May 2009 by Peter Wilson | Comments[1]
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Posted by Kral on October 03, 2009 at 09:34 AM BST #