CIGE 2009 Bringing the Best of Art to China

2009/05/01

Upon entering the China World Trade Centre Exhibition Hall, visitors to the 2009 Chinese International Gallery Exposition (CIGE) were confronted with an eight-foot-tall puppy made up of 660 wind-up Little Danny dogs, which began yapping and turning their heads when people entered the room. Filling almost the entire exhibition centre lobby, the “Little Danny―Made in Austria” public-art work of Taiwan artist Peng Hung-chih shocked some visitors and frightened others, but most just laughed with surprise and glee. The work, brought to the CIGE 2009 by the Soka Art Centre, was an exciting introduction to this year's exhibition.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture of The People’s Republic of China, CIGE was first launched in Beijing in 2004, with the theme of “Internationalism, Professionalism and Futurism,” exhibiting galleries and art dealers from Asia and other parts of the world. After five editions, CIGE has become one of the most important art platforms in China and a leading art fair in Asia.

At its Sixth Edition, CIGE 2009 was held at the China World Trade Centre on April 16 to 19, presenting around 84 contemporary art galleries from over 20 countries.

In 2009, CIGE has strengthened its relations in China, presenting 23 outstanding art galleries from the Chinese mainland and 9 from Taiwan. Solid ties and exclusive networks have also been established with neighbouring Japan and Korea, which were represented at the art fair with 7 and 12 galleries each. Southeast Asia’s vibrant, emerging contemporary art scene was also on display in seven galleries from Indonesia, two from the Philippines and one each from Singapore and India. The 2009 CIGE widened its artistic horizons both in Asia and in the Asia-Pacific Region. For the first time in the history of CIGE there was a gallery from Pakistan and. There were two from Australia.

About 70 percent of the participating galleries were from Asia; 30 percent were from elsewhere, including Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Austria and The United States, Cuba, Mexico, Syria, Israel and Kenya. The art galleries from Syria and Kenya were the first to present contemporary art from Arabia and Africa at the CIGE.

Most of the galleries selected for the 2009 CIGE had been in business for at least three years. Earlier, the CIGE 2009 organizing committee made a one-month trip to Europe to visit galleries and art institutions in countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy, to promote the CIGE in Europe and to strengthen relations with European contemporary art galleries and museums. In 2009, 42 galleries were introduced by CIGE to Chinese audience for the first time.

CIGE 2009 continued to focus on contemporary art, encouraging any form of art expression, including photography, video, painting, sculptures, mixed media, installations, prints, textile and design.

CIGE 2009 projects included Mapping Asia, a selection of solo shows of contemporary artists from Asia; Video Loops, which present video, film and documentary screening programs by emerging as well as established artists; and the brand new project International Solo Shows, featuring international artists who have been invited to live in Beijing for a period of time to experience the city directly and then produce site-specific projects at the CIGE 2009 site. This recognized the value of intercultural experience as well as the artists’ ability to adapt to the local environment, its biodiversity and cultural richness.



	Article featured in Beijing This Month, May 2009 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism