Chinese contemporary art:
Make the West see China as opened-up and modern.
Restrict the Chinese people from viewing it.

This is the great loop-hole of China. The government lets the artists create these controversial works which are later shipped to the States or Europe where they are displayed in Museums and Galleries as a sign of the freedom of speech that the Chinese people now have. On the other hand, the Chinese will never be able to see the works since they are “banned… in China.”

Instead of the usual several hundred guest, extremely loud exhibition openings that occur each weekend in Beijing’s 798 art district, this event was 60 people sipping on fine wines viewing controversial artwork that will never be shown again in China. To make things interesting, the guests were 50% art world and 50% art newbies (people who are interested in art but might not have a Art History major).

This event took place at a particularly risky time, October 1st is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. And although I cannot post many of the artworks, trust me that they were not only controversial but extremely meaningful in their social critique on M. A. O. and his regime.

Bringing art back to the PEOPLE!

Blurb from the event:

The Gao Brothers are two of the most important controversial artists in the Chinese contemporary art scene. Although their politically dissident work has made them blacklisted in China, they continue to speak their minds about the government, sexuality, and the complex problems associated with “New China”. The power behind their artwork transcends countries and cultures. Several of their important pieces have been “Banned… in China” but have gain worldwide praise.

Although the two brothers boast an extremely wide array of gallery and museum exhibition across the globe (in addition their works have been collected by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Princeton University Museum of Art), their iconic pieces have never been shown in China. Therefore this a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit their 798 studio on this special night where we have transported a collection of their “Banned…. in China” works from their remote studio in the countryside.

The Execution of Christ (new work, first shown on that night)

Interview with the Gao Brothers

Unfortunately the gov. has taken the Gao Brothers own website off the internet. In the meantime enjoy Gao Brothers which is a site about the Gao Brothers.

If your interested in who put together the event, lets just say her name is ML. And yes, code words were used, different cell phones, discreet invites, sleep-less nights….but ultimately it truly was a night to remember. There will be more international press on the event that I will eventually post.

UPDATE: New York Times Article: Cat and Mouse