Changing geography of art in Beijing
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Li Guochang, collector and founder of the Wall Art Museum. |
It seems that the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), opened by a Swiss collector some three years ago, has become the center of art life in Beijing. But there is a new vista in the offing. Another structure, currently under construction, will probably share the limelight with it, if not totally overshadow the UCCA's role in the Chinese art scene.
This is the new site of the upcoming Wall Art Museum. The non-profit art organization has already earned its reputation on the Chinese art scene, having held, since its founding in 2006, frequent exhibitions of high standards which drew appreciative audiences.
With a handsome budget of 200 million yuan ($23 million) for the hardware facilities alone, the new Wall Art Museum, which lies near Beijing Workers' Stadium, the center of Beijing geographically, will be put to use this summer.
To be reversed will not only the geographical dilemma it used to face. Earlier, the museum was located on the old site of a fine art school, which made it particularly difficult for art lovers to find the place. In its new address, this museum will not only shed its geographical obscurity but also excel in its sole function as a venue dedicated to the arts.
The three-story building with a basement will be a complex offering space for the visual and plastic arts, performance arts, fashion, design and other high-end life interests, according to a worker at the museum, who is now busy with preparations for the opening.
On show at the Wall Art Museum will be not only large-scale exhibitions, but also other programs such as dance and music, and an intangible cultural heritage preservation center.
The museum's founder, Li Guochang, a native Chinese entrepreneur and art collector who has been involved in collecting art for the past three decades, talked of his ambition for Chinese art, the contemporary scene and his plans for the museum, in an exclusive interview with the Global Times.
Shaping a big dream
The Wall Art Museum is a big, crucial step taken by Li among his many actions for promoting Chinese contemporary art. With a totally new museum, Li said the contemporary art scene would become more vibrant and diversified. Founded in 2006, the old museum was aimed at "holding some of the most independent and influential exhibitions."
But now it needs to be expanded, in terms of both its facilities and functions. Li said that contemporary art should not always be separated from other art genres. But, first and foremost, it should not be separated from life.
"Wall Art Museum would be a new center unlike any other in Beijing. People gathering here would be talking not only about art exhibitions, but also interested in all other kinds of art in this space," Li said. "We need such a center, to make all art, one form inspired by another, visible at the same level."
A devoted lover of Chinese fine art, Li said that it might seem as if Chinese contemporary art is already at its peak on the international stage. But, he insists, it deserves an even better future, with local art organizations and foundations working as the propellers of greater success.
"There is still much to do in terms of spreading the prosperity on the Chinese contemporary art scene," Li said. "I am doing my best now."
"What I'm doing is to make it a center for Chinese culture and art," said Li. "No matter how small my contribution may be, I feel that I hold the resources to help the Chinese go further in this direction."
Actually he had committed himself many years ago to advancing Chinese contemporary art. Aside from establishing the museum, he has also set up a foundation to help fund the work and creations of young Chinese artists.
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