Gallery Weekend Beijing: Striking exhibitions land in Chinese capital as part of young, annual event

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Gallery Weekend Beijing has opened a number of exhibitions for its third installment, bringing together a selection of 27 institutions. They include non-profit museums and art centers, as well as commercial galleries and corporate collections. Li Qiong reports.

The most striking exhibitions of the year are just in town! The annual Gallery Weekend Beijing offers audiences a chance to observe artists up close, and to immerse themselves in one of the world's burgeoning centers for culture.

LI QIONG BEIJING "Here I am, at the 798 art district. This is a famous spot for art lovers in the capital city of Beijing, as a lot of galleries, private museums, art studios and workshops locate here. As a result, it's an important venue during the Gallery Weekend Beijing each year. On the first day of the event, let's visit some of the galleries that are taking part."

The Faurschou Foundation has just opened a solo exhibition of American artist Doug Aitken. Each of the three halls only displays one piece of his installation works. With all the sound and light effects, the artist wants to explore "where we are today, and where we are going, in a world that is moving faster and faster."

And just a few blocks away, in the PIFO Gallery, German artist Franz Ackermann is displaying his views about the changes of the world with psychedelic, vibrant paintings. The artist travels a lot as part of his creative process.

He believes that images, fashion and information travel very quickly, but local life is deeply rooted in traditions and cultural essence.

This painting, reveals Ackermann's understanding of changes taking place at the Hong Kong harbor.

The first Gallery Weekend Beijing took place in 2017, and only involved art insiders for professional communication. Through two years of development, its targeted participants and functions have both changed.

WANG YIFEI, DIRECTOR GALLERY WEEKEND BEIJING "Since the second edition, we have opened it to the public and we found a strong desire for art education among visitors. And this is the third year, our service has expanded quite a bit, to include workshops, tour guides and forums."

The event runs through the end of next week, but the exhibitions will last for months at the 798 art district, and three other venues in Beijing. LQ, CGTN.