Striking exhibitions land in Beijing as part of Gallery Weekend

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The Chinese capital is currently hosting the most striking art spectacle of the year.

The third installment of the annual Gallery Weekend Beijing event brings together extraordinary artwork from 27 institutions, including non-profit museums, art centers, commercial galleries and corporate collections.

The annual celebration of art with an international appeal is rising as an ultimate art destination that offers audiences a chance to observe artists up close.

Denmark's Faurschou Foundation has organized a solo exhibition of some exceptional work by American artist Doug Aitken, where the three halls display only one of his installation works each.

According to Aitken, with sound and light effects, artists want to explore "where we are today, and where we are going in a world that is moving faster and faster."

"Crossing the Border" by Doug Aitken. /Courtesy of the Artist and Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zürich/New York Photo by Dakota Higgins

And just a few blocks away, in the PIFO Gallery, German artist Franz Ackermann is expressing his views on the changes the world is currently experiencing through his psychedelic and vibrant paintings.

Ackermann is known for undertaking expeditions as part of his creative process. He believes that images, fashion, and information travel quickly, but local life is deeply rooted in traditions and cultural essence.

"Cargo" by Franz Ackermann expresses his understanding of changes taking place at the Hong Kong harbor. /courtesy of PIFO Gallery

The inaugural Gallery Weekend Beijing took place in 2017, and only involved art insiders for professional communication. Though two years down the road, its targeted participants and functions have both changed.

"Since the second edition, we have opened it to the public and we found a strong desire for art education among visitors," said Wang Yifei, director of the Gallery Weekend Beijing. "This is the third year, our service has expanded quite a bit to include workshops, tour guides, and forums."

The event runs through next Thursday, but the exhibitions will last for months at the popular 798 Art District and three other venues in Beijing.