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Opening of Chengdu MOCA & Collecting History-China New Art

Only Photos: Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art

In September, the 2011 Chengdu Biennial Contemporary Art Exhibition will be ceremoniously unveiled. In the lead up, the Chengdu contemporary art circle has grown exceptionally active. The Chengdu Contemporary Art Gallery, L-Art Gallery, opened on July 16. The art gallery is considered as important gallery in the industry.

Lu Peng, a famous reviewer was recently quoted, "I said in the past that Chengdu was the third largest Chinese city in contemporary art. But as shown in the present situation, such a comment might be too conservative." Lu said that next month, a famous art magazine of Beijing will publish a special issue on contemporary art called "Chengdu PK Shanghai for Influences in Contemporary Art." In this issue, Chengdu's and Shanghai's contemporary art scene will be thoroughly evaluated. The magazine will also explore how Chengdu has managed to rise so swiftly to contend to be the second most influential city in the country for contemporary art.

New exhibition available for Chengdu art fans each week

On July 16, L-Art Gallery launched an exhibition with the theme "new colors". In the afternoon, less than 10 minutes drive away from L-Art Gallery, the A4 Gallery opened up a plant exhibition called "miracles of plants." The two exhibitions displayed thrilling and creative ideas. Many famous artists, including Zhou Chunya and Yang Mian were present.

"There are not many occasions in Chengdu to have two contemporary art exhibitions unveiled on the same day. Previously, we had a record of inaugurating six exhibitions on the same day. But now, Chengdu have art exhibition openings almost every week," said an anonymous art insider. Take a close look, and we will see that many art museums, galleries and centers have proliferated around the city over this period. More art institutions are expected to emerge along with the development and better reception of contemporary art.

The art insider said that the Municipal Art Gallery, Wenxuan Art Gallery and Chengdu Contemporary Art Gallery, all main galleries, are open to the public every day. Local famous art galleries are presenting a spate of exhibitions. These art museums and galleries are busy planning new exhibitions each week. The art insider said frequent exhibitions have created a richer art atmosphere in the entire city and highlighted Chengdu as an important city for contemporary art in the country.

Art galleries serve as platform for diversified artwork transactions

The art insider said successful art galleries serve as platforms to exhibit artists' works, sites to trade artworks, and intermediary agents to promote artists, guide various art consumption groups, and offer art consulting services.

In the course of formulating their own operation features, Chengdu art galleries have discovered and promoted a group of artists, and facilitated development and prosperity of the art market. The emerging L-Art Gallery, for instance, pays particular attention to young and middle-aged Chinese contemporary artists, and endeavors to explore and cultivate young artists. The art insider said that in recent years, Chengdu art galleries have set up diversified artwork transaction platforms, which activate the local art market and generate a sound and vigorous art environment. Young and old contemporary artists can find out about platforms to exhibit and trade their works in Chengdu. These platforms have diversified contemporary art in the city, and satisfied all sorts of demands on the market. Moreover, local artists are glad to see their works being sold and exhibited worldwide through these platforms. Each year, a large number of overseas and domestic art agents and galleries come to Chengdu to "seek treasures".

Men of talent come forth

Chengdu, a famous historic and cultural city, is a base for traditional art. Contemporary art also plays an important role. New artists born in the 1980s are rising sharply.

The city's contemporary artists have frequently participated in all artistic exchange activities both at home and abroad. Their works sell well at international auction markets. Jia Fangzhou, a famous critic, said Chengdu is influential in contemporary art in terms of academic and market performances. The artists, living in Chengdu, have a global view. In recent years, colleges and universities in the city have paid increasingly higher attention to cultivating contemporary art talents. They have opened up courses on contemporary art, and employed famous artists as lecturers. The new generation of contemporary art talents enjoys the opportunities available in Chengdu.