Priorities shift when hosting a major arts event amidst some of the world’s strictest covid restrictions. For Gallery Weekend Beijing (GWBJ), which recently manoeuvred Beijing’s on-going social distancing rules for its 6th edition, cultural exchange took precedence over record-breaking footfall, and – thanks to the tenacity and flexibility of its organisers – the event blossomed.
The gallery weekend concept lends itself well to a socially distanced city, with individual galleries and institutions hosting exhibitions in their own spaces rather than amassed in a crowd-filled convention centre. The concept is also a celebration of the city itself, showcasing cultural offerings in situ and leading visitors on a path of physical exploration, as they meander from gallery to museum, exhibition to performance. GWBJ was no exception this year, presenting an array of nearly 40 diverse exhibitions in prominent commercial galleries and non-profit institutions across the capital.
The theme of ‘sharing’ united the programme for 2022, an apt choice for a world that is hungry for connection and interaction. The event’s ‘Main Sector’ explored the theme for its Special Exhibition, hosted at the 798 Art Centre and titled Crosstalk. Co-curated by four young curators from Beijing’s Inside-Out Art Museum and UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Crosstalk marked the first time major non-profit institutions have collaborated in the city. An ambitious exhibition concept that featured video, installations, sculptures and paintings from more than 20 artists, Crosstalk demonstrates GWBJ’s growth as, not only a platform, but a programmer of eclectic, thought-provoking art experiences that nurture fresh perspectives and foster collaboration within Beijing’s art ecosystem.
A dynamic roster of artists were showcased in the Main Sector, with China’s thriving contemporary art scene epitomised through the strong homegrown talent on show – Chen Shuxia at Asia Art Centre, Liu Yefu at Magician Space and Li Jin at Platform China Contemporary Art Institute, to name a few. An international presence was also apparent, both in terms of the artists exhibited and the attendance of galleries from Brussels, London, New York, Paris and Seoul – all of which must have jumped numerous hurdles in order to be there; a sign of how powerful China is for the international market.
While the live event has come to a close, GWBJ, together with artificial intelligence start-up Aibee, will launch a digital iteration on 15 July 2022 – a Virtual Reality (VR) exhibition hall and an Augmented Reality (AR) navigation system online. Once again drawing upon this year’s ’sharing’ theme, GWBJ’s online initiative will open up its exceptional programme to global audiences.
Amber Yifei Wang, Director of GWBJ, stated of this year’s edition: “This was without doubt one of the most successful editions of Gallery Weekend Beijing, in terms of our programmes and engagement with visitors, fully reflecting Beijing’s position as a city of resilience and a hotbed of creativity. Being one of the first major cultural events held in Mainland China in 2022 signalled a much-needed stride of confidence in Beijing’s art scene and sparked a revival of the local art market with continued engagement from local and international collectors thanks to our hybrid offerings. Here at Gallery Weekend Beijing, we ground our work in innovation and collaboration, and in this edition, we have certainly seen a new vitality in our programme across the board.”
The 2022 edition of Gallery Weekend Beijing was held from 28 June – 3 July. The digital iteration will open from 15 July. For more information, please visit: www.gallery-weekend-beijing.com