Art Pioneers: Dashanzi Celebrates 1st Anniversary

On April 13, 2004, Dashanzi Art District (DAD) celebrated its first anniversary.

DAD created an experimental format for Chinese artists, and this approach has been successful. What's more, the artists residing there have organized the First Dashanzi International Art Festival (DIAF 2004) to show, promote and attract more supporters and participants into their world of art and ideals.

DIAF 2004, themed 'Radiance and Resonance / Signal of Time', runs from April 24 to May 23. Over 30 artistic activities are featured, varying in length from 3 days to the whole month, varying in form from visual and acoustic art to academic symposia, and varying in participants from local enthusiasts to foreign masters.

All artistic public spaces in DAD have been invited by the DIAF organizing committee to show their community spirit and creative energy through abundant and innovative programs.

An annual event, DIAF 2004 premieres a brand new Beijing happening and constitutes an important step in the future of building up contemporary culture in Beijing. This festival will serve as an art living platform, where multiple forms of contemporary art will be expressed, featuring visual and sound-based artworks; live music, dance, theatre and performance events; as well as cinema, architecture and design presentations. DIAF 2004 aims to provide an innovative forum for contemporary culture, presenting work by some less well known young artists, together with more established international artists, whose work has rarely or never been exhibited in China.

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Major Events

Visual Art

Mean Less Red - Open Air Light Installation
Venue: open air
Date: Until May 23
Artist: Wang Shugang

Screening Chris Marker
Venue: Beijing Tokyo Art Project Ware House
Date: Until May 15
Artist: Chris Marker

Independent Japanese Art Film Festival
Venue: Now Club
Date: Until May 7

Asian Short Film Festival
Venue: Now Club
Date: May 16-23
Curator: Davide Quadrio
Content: a selection of best recent videos from Thailand, Korea and China

Australian Documentation Film Festival
Venue: Now Club
Date: May 8-15
Organizer: Australian Embassy and the Australia China Council

Revolution - Liu Zheng Photograph Exhibition
Venue: 798 Photo Gallery
Date: May 8-15

'Mensa' Exhibition
Venue: White Space
Date: Until May 16
Content: 'Mensa', the student's cafeterias in German universities, will show installation, photographic works and paintings of 10 Chinese students who have been studied in Germany.

Music & Sound

Concert of Wang Lei
Venue: Now Club
Date: 9pm, May 15
Content: Wang Lei, Electronic Star musician from Guangzhou

Vinitio Capossela Concert
Venue: Yan Club
Date: May 21
Organizer: Italian Embassy and Yan Club

798 Soundscape
Venue: Dashanzi Art District
Date: Until May 23
Content: a multiple sound related program to break border between stage and audience and create a new environment for sound art appreciation.

24 Hours of Sound
Venue: 798 Space
Date: 7:30pm, May 14-7:30pm, May 15
Content: Musicians will perform constantly in the 24 hours.

Multimedia & Dance Performance

Action Theatre Festival
Venue: Beijing Tokyo Art Project
Date: Until May 8 (May 6-8 will show performances.)
Content: international leading action theatre groups through video and photographic documentation and action theatre workshop.

Architecture and Design

Modern Style in East Asia 2004
Venue: Beijing Tokyo Art Project and UHN Building
Date: May 15-June 15
Content: exhibition of Japanese and Chinese architects and designers

For more information:
Tel +86 010 6437 9737
Email diaf@vip.sina.com
Website www.diaf.org