A PERISCOPE PIECE FOR OUR MAY 2007 MAGAZINE. SHI DOES WONDERFUL PIECES FOR US.
Periscope
Beijing Art Walk
By Shi Yun
Currently, art activities in China often tend to go one of two ways: snobby or insurmountable. Art Walk Beijing, which first debuted March 10 at Dashanzi Art District in Beijing, has defied that limitation. American-born Chinese Ouyang Dan and her four partners Katie Grube, Kat Don, Elyse Ribbons and Mandy Li brainstormed for a month to get the idea off the ground. “You can surround yourself in an artistic atmosphere, but it’s still a party,” Ouyang says. “I can’t say it’s an original idea but I wanted everyone to be able to experience that creative domain—not just the visual artists.”
That day’s activities were split into parts – an art viewing and a cocktail party. After a talk by Karen Smith at Timezone-8 guests looked and lingered at Chinese Contemporary Gallery, Long March Space Galleria, Continua Paris-Beijing Photo and Studio Red T Space before moving to Yan Club Art Centre. Ouyang says, “798 is just the beginning. We plan to do this every month and tackle other art districts in Beijing.”
On that cold windy evening, more than 600 participants from diverse racial and national backgrounds came out for the festivities. They sipped on cocktails, listened to music by a live DJ and sought out familiar faces. Of course, they didn’t forget to hand out name cards or pass on their information to new contacts. Want to ensure that you recognize everyone there? Better join next time.
Beijing Art Walk
北京艺术漫步
撰文/石赟
目前的艺术活动通常走向两极：俗不可耐或者高不可攀。3月10日在北京大山子798国际艺术区举办的“北京艺术漫步”或许使这种尴尬稍有改观。美籍华裔欧阳丹和她的四个搭档Katie Grube, Kat Don, Elyse Ribbons and Mandy Li发起并实施了这次活动，她们花了一个半月来为这个灵机一动付出辛劳。“你会身处一个艺术的氛围，但它看上去仍然是一个聚会。我不能说这是一个独创性的想法，”欧阳丹说，“但我想要有一个活动，能让艺术真正去吸纳创意领域中的每一个人，而不仅仅是那些玩儿视觉的艺术家。”
当天的活动分为两部分，画廊参观和免费的鸡尾酒会。在东八时区书吧听完北京外籍作家凯伦·史密斯的演讲后，人们开始在中国当代画廊、长征空间、意大利常青画廊、巴黎·北京摄影空间和红T空间中流转，最后汇集在“仁”俱乐部。“798只是一个开始，我们计划每月都举办一次这样的艺术漫步，并转到北京的其他艺术区。”欧阳丹表示。
在那个有大风相伴的寒冷夜晚，相继有600多人在“仁”俱乐部出现，包括各种肤色。他们品尝着鸡尾酒，聆听着现场的DJ音乐，寻找着自己熟悉的面孔。当然，他们也没忘记向初次结识的人递上一张名片或留下联络方式。要保证下次相见彼此还都认识？记着下次也来参加。
注释
亚特兰大：Atlanta
欧阳丹：Dan Ouyang
凯伦·史密斯：Karen Smith
北京艺术漫步：artWALK Beijing
大山子798国际艺术区：798 Dashanzi Art District
东八时区书吧：Timezone 8
中国当代画廊：长征空间：Long March Space
意大利常青画廊：Galleria Continua
巴黎·北京摄影空间：Paris-Beijing Photo Studio
红T空间：Red T Space
“仁”俱乐部：Yan Club Art Centre
thanks for posting the article (I’ve just added a link under the press section of artwalkbeijing’s website) :)
is there a digital version of periscope magazine?
Elyse Ribbons
August 26th, 2007