Beijing-based chain bookstore, the Modern Bookshop, recently announced the opening of the Modern Bookshop Direct Sales Outlet, China's first venue dedicated solely to selling English and Chinese language books on contemporary art, architecture, design, photography and cinema.

Situated among artists' studios, galleries, design houses, coffee houses, bars and restaurants in newly renovated industrial spaces inside the Dashanzi 798 Factory compound, the bookstore will serve the arts community and art-goers who frequent the area's chic new art spaces.

The bookstore will carry over 200 titles from top art publishers in Germany, Britain, the United States, Japan, not to mention the many art publishing houses at Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"Our aim is to provide a place where people can find the most up-to-date and comprehensive selection of imported and home-made contemporary art books," said Kan Xiaomang, general manager of Modern Bookshop.

Each month the bookstore will roll out new titles on themes that tie in with the local art scene. In the first month of operations, the theme will be "Art Now" to coincide with the opening of the Beijing Biennale on September 20.

In addition to books on top Chinese artists participating in the Biennale, the Modern Bookshop will also feature art books on foreign participants, such as world-renowned artists, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, as well as catalogues from other top biennial exhibitions around the world. Recent exhibition catalogues from top modern art museums such as New York's Museum of Modern Art and London's Tate Modern Art Gallery will also be available.

Month two will focus on "Architecture Now" and feature books on top architects who are bringing innovative new designs and ideas to Beijing, Shanghai and other cities around the world, such as Rem Koolhaas (CCTV Building), Herzog and De Meuron (The Olympic Stadium), Cui Kai and Zhang Yonghe (Commune by the Great Wall).

(China Daily September 2, 2003)