Memory and Contemporaneity. China Art Today

The exhibition, presented on occasion of the 57th Venice Biennale as Collateral Event, is a reflection on destiny of contemporary art in China, starting from treasures of the Forbidden City.

Chinese places, often underestimated in spite of their wideness and heterogeneity, call into question the role of Chinese memory in contemporary art. The city of Beijing is the only one embodying the endeavor of communicating the complexity and richness of the country and, for this reason, is there that Memory and Contemporaneity project was born.

Forbidden City is one the greatest heritage of China’s history, acting as source of inspiration for modern Chinese people. The curators Gianfranco Maraniello, Davide Rampello, Wang Yamin and Sun Jianjun invited 18 artists, used to explore the values of China, to reflect about relationship between cult of memory and contemporary art throughout their works. Additionally, Italian designers have been called to think about the fruition of Chinese art worldwide. The exhibition is a summary of painting, sculptures, installations, films and devices creating a mapping of Beijing, focusing on how archetypical expressions influenced current art practices.

Promoted by The Palace Museum, Beijing, China

Opening hours Friday and Saturday from May to September 30: 10am – 20pm