Ever since Deng Xiaoping opened China to the world in 1978, that country has made an amazingly rapid transition from Communism to a market economy. And, the effects of this change on Chinese society are clearly reflected in the visual arts. Although pop-inspired portraits of Mao abound, one wonders what the Chairman would think of his nation's multifarious art scene, as it stands today.
This summer, the Pompidou Center celebrates the “new” China’s cultural boom with an astonishing array of contemporary art, architecture, film, music and multimedia trends by 30 creative sparks — in every imaginable medium, from painting to photography and video.
Chinese artists began to experiment with Western techniques, during the late ’70s. A key movement — termed “scar painting” — addressed a number of painful issues, such as the destruction and sense of loss generated by the Cultural Revolution. In Xiamen, artists even launched a local “neo-Dada” faction! In September 1979, the “Stars” group attracted a lot of attention in the West, with a breakthrough show held on the street, in front of Beijing’s National Art Gallery. Although, to Western eyes, the works were far from avant-garde, this informal expo was banned by the authorities and interrupted by the police, two days after its opened. Several of the artists involved in this “happening” — such as Chen Dehong and Wang Keping — now live and work in France.
The swift economic modifications of the 1990s have shifted the visual emphasis of artists like Wang-Guangyi — who relies on idealized poster imagery harking back to the Cultural Revolution — to consumerism. The clash between capitalist and communist ideology has resulted in new styles dubbed “Political Pop” and “Cynical Realism,” both distinctly remniscent of Pop Art.
So far, most of the interest shown in present-day Chinese artists has come from “outside.” Even if they do tend to stick to traditional techniques such as calligraphy and ink painting, which sell well in Taiwan and Hong Kong...
Robert Bernell — an American resident of Beijing — has done a great deal to showcase all manner of current developments via his online magazine Chinese-art.com, which features photos, along with texts compiled by experts on the spot. In a more commercial vein, Hong Kong-based Asia-art.com attracts a broad public from around the world, while actively promoting traditional or more academic Chinese art.
The Pompidou Center’s overview represents a unique opportunity to take a look at the way China’s artists are reacting to the immense changes their society is currently undergoing. These artists may well be in the process of starting a brand-new “cultural revolution.”
Alors, la Chine? June 25 to Oct 13, 11am to 9pm, closed Tue, Centre Pompidou, 19 rue Rambuteau, 1er, Mº Châtelet/Les Halles, tel: 01 44 78 12 33, 6.5E/4.5E
