CHINASCAPE: FROM RURAL TO URBAN Milan, Spazioborgogno 30 November, 2016 -‐ 7 January, 2017 Inauguration Tuesday, 29 November, 2016, at 6pm
IGAV – Istituto Garuzzo per le Arti Visive is bringing to Italy an exhibition of the work of 16 contemporary Chinese photographers, organised by CAEG – China Arts and Entertainment Group
November 2016 – From Tuesday, 29 November, China will be in the spotlight at Milan’s Spazioborgogno. “Chinascape: from Rural to Urban”, which showcases 40 works by 16 leading Chinese photographers, is a tale told in pictures that reflects upon the cultural, economic, social and political transformations taking place in modern-‐day China, all infused with a strong sense of the past. The exhibition, conceived and staged by CAEG (the China Arts and Entertainment Group) with IGAV (the Turin-‐based Garuzzo Institute for the Visual Arts), is open to the public until Saturday, 7 January, 2017. The Chinese curator, Wang Chunchen, Head of the Department of Curatorial Research at the Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and a critic with an excellent reputation thanks to his studies on almost every aspect of contemporary Chinese art, states: "Looking at the works on show, you can perceive the landscape of an evolving China, a country that is changing and being transformed, but also an imaginary China, enriched by the capacity and potential of photography as an artistic medium. ‘China-‐scape’ is the result of the transformations of time and space on the contemporary Chinese scene; it is the story of China, how it presents itself to our eyes today, and what it may become". The IGAV’s curator, Alessandro Demma, states: "’Chinascape: from Rural to Urban’ is a project dedicated to showcasing current Chinese art, to the changes being undergone by a social and cultural system that in the new millennium has set out on a path leading it from a ‘local’ condition towards a wider perspective concerned with ‘global’ development. The exhibition aims to showcase, through the photographic work of sixteen artists, the journey – both physical and mental – from the countryside to the megalopolis, encapsulating, in the process, the new visions that the artists have of a contemporary national and international system subject to constant evolution and metamorphosis". As IGAV president Rosalba Garuzzo explains: "Right from the early days of our commitment, back in 2006, we have looked upon China as a priority partner, gradually constructing a relationship of respect and trust with artists, curators, agencies, authorities, museums, universities, foundations,
associations and media outlets. That relationship has translated into numerous joint initiatives: 17 exhibitions in China, 7 in Italy. Today, the result is a long-‐term agreement with the CAEG, which has enabled and will continue to enable exhibitions and cultural exchanges that will benefit artists in both countries. In just two years, 2015 and 2016, before this exhibition in Milan, we had already worked with the CAEG at highly prestigious venues in Capri, Saluzzo, Weihai and Dunhuang". The CAEG is a large-‐scale, top-‐level state agency for the arts, entertainment and cultural tourism, owned by the State Council, under the supervision of the Chinese Ministry of Culture. IGAV, a not-‐for-‐profit body largely funded by contributions from its shareholders, with the support of public and private partners, has been operating since 2005 to raise the profile of Italian artists around the world, contribute to the popularisation of contemporary art as a formative medium for culture, and promote amicable exchanges between countries. It has thus far staged 56 exhibitions in 12 different countries. Artists whose work is on show: Chen Weiqun, Fu Wenjun, He Chongyue, Huang Qingjun, Jia Youguang, Liu Bolin, Liu Ren, Ma Liang, Miao Xiaochun, Shao Zenong & Mu Chen, Wang Chuan, Wang Gongxin, Yan Yongliang, Yao Lu, Yang Yong, Zhang Dali. With the patronage of: the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China; the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Italy. Technical sponsor: Two Eights, Flyren Chinascape: from Rural to Urban Spazioborgogno Milan, Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 113 from 30 November, 2016, to 7 January, 2017 Inauguration: Tuesday, 29 November, 2016, at 6pm Opening times From Tuesday to Saturday 3pm-‐7pm. Closed Monday and Sunday. For information
Spazioborgogno Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 113 Tel. +39 02 36695249 info@spazioborgogno.com IGAV – Istituto Garuzzo per le Arti Visive Tel. +39 011 8124456 info@igav-‐art.org www.igav-‐art.org Press Office Elettra Pr Mauro Perego Tel. +39 393 8188596 Email: mauro.perego@elettrapr.it