Last week was Beijing Design Week 2012 and NorCap decided to go check it out. We not only are big fans of art and anything creative, but also wanted to get the low down on all the current movers and shakers in the design world so that we can better serve our creative internship applicants.

All week long there were talks, events, and exhibitions held throughout the city. We were a bit busy, you know, doing our jobs, so we didn’t get to see it all, but here’s a slice of what we saw out in the Caochangdi area:

Opening Ceremony and Exhibits:

In addition to the already popular 798 art district, Beijing also has several up-and-coming art areas including Caochangdi, located just north of 798. The opening ceremony for the Caochangdi portion of Beijing Design Week looked like we stepped into a psychedelic dream: a courtyard between several of the main art galleries was decorated with curvy snake-like inflatables surrounding a massive DJ podium; beneath the podium we found uniquely designed couches and chairs; and all this was lit up in various shades of blue and purple. There were speeches, music, food, good drinks, and best of all the Caochangdi exhibits were only steps away!

You can find this designer’s work all over Beijing. Inspired by her experience of frequently moving from apartment to apartment, she built a set of furniture that can be collapsed into boxes for convenient transportation. The furniture is not only incredibly functional, but also quite beautiful – The tiny details built into her designs make the pieces look better than most normal stationary furniture!

Shanzhai Biennial 

Shanzhai is the Chinese word for a knock-off product, and this exhibit was poking fun at just that. Examining their photographs, we found it somewhat of a game to see how many things in the picture were copied off of something else. There were mis-matched labels and patterns all over the models’ clothing, and their facial expressions were even a knock-off of Yue Minjun’s smiles, (Yue is a popular contemporary artist, Google him and you’ll know what smiles I’m talking about). Besides raising some good points about intellectual property rights, this exhibit was simply a lot of fun to look at!

To see more photos of the event check out our Facebook album: NorCap Visits Beijing Design Week

By David Pfohl, NorCap Staff Intern

1. Green Energy

China is the largest green energy investor in the world. Alternative energy in the forms of solar and wind power expansion have hit record levels, with the government’s goal of making clean energy account for 15% of total energy use by 2020 easily attainable.

Nicknamed ‘the Green Leap Forward’, (a play on Mao’s Great Leap Forward), the grassroots green energy industry and state-promoted alternative energy industry are taking off.

In February 2008, the CCP enacted the Green IPO policy, which required companies in polluting industries to undergo an environmental audit.  As a direct result, the energy industry in China is rapidly shifting from its past dependency on coal to more alternative energy sources.

According to a plan by the Beijing Development and Reform Commission (BDRC), Beijing will replace 5.5 million tons of standard coal with alternative energy before 2015 to account for 6% of Beijing’s electricity consumption.  The plan has led to the construction of photovoltaic and ground-mounted solar projects across various districts in Beijing.

In a city more heavily dominated by the consumption of coal, the increase in alternative and green energy use is a welcome change and will provide future Beijing residents with healthier and more cost-effective lifestyles. Furthermore, last March (2011) China signed its 12^th 5-year plan, which supports foreign investment in the arena of environment protection; accordingly, we should expect to see a shift from infrastructure development to more “green” initiatves.

2. Architecture

Beijing is an architect’s dream.  With the world’s largest palace, the Forbidden City is not only visually arresting, but also incredibly well preserved.  The city also boasts some of the more creative buildings built in the last decade, including the 2008 Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium and Water Cube, as well as the seemingly physics-defying CCTV tower. The National Centre for the Performing Arts, located southwest of Tiananmen Square, appears to be an egg made of titanium and glass, as it floats on a man-made lake.  The city manages to maintain a welcomed balance between old and new structures, such as traditional hutongs surrounded by new state-of-the-art office buildings.  The Beijing skyline is also a wonder to behold.

3. Film

Beijing is also the center of a powerful and expanding film industry.  Famous directors, particularly Zhang Yimou, the director of Raise the Red Lantern (1991), Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004) see great promise in the future of Chinese films.

Yimou’s most recent film, the Flowers of War (2011), starring Academy-Award winner, Christian Bale, shows the future potential for China’s film industry to become mainstream. The presence of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in his latest film is indicative of the close ties that have developed between the Beijing film industry and Hollywood. Several US companies, including Legendary Entertainment, which co-financed Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, have struck joint venture deals with Chinese-owned media groups to ensure their films qualify as Chinese-made productions.  Due to a strict quota system on the number of foreign films allowed to release in China every year, these joint venture deals guarantee the distribution of foreign films in China.

4. Non-Profits

Beijing is also a growing city for non-profit organizations.  The city enjoys the presence of larger and more recognized non-profits, such as Greenpeace: East Asia, the National Resources Defense Council, Teach for China and Operation Smile.  Teach for China, a partner of Teach For All, is an organization that recruits, selects, trains, and supports outstanding US and Chinese graduates to work side-by-side to deliver an excellent education in high poverty, rural Chinese communities.

Beijing is also home to non-profits that focus on building the relationship between China and the United States.  Project Pengyou, a non-governmental social venture, serves to build the alumni network of President Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative in order to promote US-China relations.  Project Pengyou is a program of the Golden Bridges Foundation, a non-profit organization that pioneers excellence in social entrepreneurship and philanthropy between China and the United States.

The metropolis also has many smaller and more localized non-profits including Beijing Community Dinner, Chi Fan for Charity, Roundabout Charity Distribution Store and others.  The Lasso Guide to Charity in China is an organization that puts those interested in touch with their favorite charities and non-profits and is an excellent resource for finding out more about local charities in Beijing.

As for Chinese charities, despite the June 2011 Guo Meimei scandal, in which a blogger claiming to work for China’s Red Cross was seen flaunting exorbitant wealth, organizations have made a concerted effort in recent months to improve their transparency.  According to Forbes China, transparency has improved and two Beijing-based non-profits top the list of top 25 most transparent non-profits in China: YouChange, a China Social Entrepreneur Foundation, which gives grants to existing projects; and the Chinese Red Cross Foundation, which is making efforts to rebuild public faith in donations through the use of a fund management tracking system.

5. Art

Beijing is an international metropolis with a thriving art culture.  798 District, Beijing’s own ‘SoHo’, not only houses some of China’s most creative and recognized artists, it also features a rich array of galleries, exhibits, restaurants, cafes and event spaces.  Many of the galleries are managed by some of the most famous names in the art world today.

A decade ago, 798 faced an uncertain future due to government censorship.  Once 798’s enemy, censorship has eased to allow everything from nudity to controversial abstract art.  What was once cultural taboo in China under antiquated CCP rulings is now more tolerated, and time has proven a strong testament to the longevity of the district. The Chinese government has even begun investing money into the area as a tourist destination in order to prove to the world the rise of Beijing as an international and affluent city rich in culture.

Beijing is also home to Ai Weiwei, China’s most recognized contemporary artist, famous for his controversial art and design of Beijing’s 2008 Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium.  Ai Weiwei lives in Caochangdi, a small village on the outskirts of Beijing that features many artistic complexes that Ai designed himself.  The area features a burgeoning number of contemporary artists as well.  For more information on Ai Weiwei, as well as trouble he has faced with Chinese authorities over his controversial artwork, see NorCap’s previous blog posting: Even $2.4 Million Fines Will Not Silence Ai Weiwei.

References and Further Reading:

The Green Leap Forward - The Green Leap Forward Homepage
China releases first new energy plan for 2015 - Steel Price China
Learn from EU energy ‘road map’ - Xinhua
Lasso Guide to Charity in China - Lasso Guide to Charity in China Homepage
Getting involved in the nonprofit community in Beijing - NGOs in China
Beijing’s 798 District an unexpected artistic enclave - Travel Weekly
The avant-garde art goes too far? - China Daily
798 Space - 798 Space Homepage
Beijing Architectural Wonders - China Travel Depot
Filmed in China - IBN Live

NRDC
Teach for China
Project Pengyou
Golden Bridges

By David Pfohl, NorCap Staff Intern

In support of the 100,000 Strong Initiative, NorCap China Internships assisted artists Will.i.am and Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas at events during the Booey Lehoo Arts Festival week as well as the Booey Lehoo Concert on December 17.

The Booey Lehoo Arts Festival week and Concert, organized by Americans Promoting Study Abroad and its Chinese partners, were held in order to raise awareness of the 100,000 Strong Initiative, an initiative announced by President Obama in 2009 and launched by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010.  The goal of the initiative is to dramatically increase the number of American students studying in China.

The Booey Lehoo Arts Festival week kicked off with an international 16×16 basketball tournament between local Beijing students and eight students from Boston public high schools.  Former NBA All-­Star forward Jamal Mashburn, ‘Monster Mash’ hosted the tournament, then followed with a speech on the importance of dedication to one’s dreams using basketball as a personal example. The winners of the tournament received a trophy presented by Jackie Chan as part of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation’s contribution to the week’s festivities.

The week continued with cross-cultural events including a day of community service held at a local Beijing school, as well as a Chicago jazz performance.  The night before the concert, NorCap China Internships joined Holly Chang of Project Pengyou, an organization celebrating the stories of Americans studying in China, along with the heads of other organizations for dinner at US Ambassador Gary Locke’s home.  The dinner, held in honor of the 100,000 Strong Initiative and Booey Lehoo Arts Festival week, featured speeches on the importance of promoting cultural ties between China and the US.

The week concluded with the Booey Lehoo Concert, a culmination of the week’s globe spanning events.  The event featured guest performances by Will.i.am and Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Coco Lee and local Chinese artists Sa Dingding and Shunza.  The star-studded show was emceed by Allan Wu of Amazing Race: China who intermittently engaged the largely Chinese audience with inspiring clips of interactions between Chinese and American students.

NorCap China Internships was incredibly honored and glad to engage in these events in support of the 100,000 Strong Initiative.

*Pictured Above: NorCap’s David Pfohl with Project Penyou’s Holly Chang. NorCap China Internships attended the Booey Lehoo dinner held at Ambassador Gary Locke’s house in support of the 100,000 Strong Initiative.

For more information about Booey Lehoo and organizations involved:
Americans Promoting Study Abroad Homepage – Americans Promoting Study Abroad
Booey Lehoo Homepage – Booey Lehoo
Project Pengyou Homepage  - Project Pengyou
Booey Lehoo to You! – Allan Wu’s Wulander
The Booey Lehoo Arts Week Tips Off With International Basketball Friendship Event – PR Web
Boston students ready to hoop it up in China – The Boston Globe

By David Pfohl, NorCap Staff Intern

Ai Weiwei, China’s most recognized contemporary artist and son of famous poet Ai Qing, was charged with $2.4 million in tax evasion.  This is the most recent accusation in a string of politically backed charges against the artist.

Ai Weiwei, known for his design of the 2008 Beijing Olympics ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium, is considered revolutionary.  From his stunning artwork to his incendiary twitter and blog, Ai Weiwei is the voice of a freer generation in China.  However, his ability to draw large crowds and his often-critical comments on China’s political system has brought down the heavy hammer of China’s Communist Party.

To try and silence Ai, Beijing tax authorities slapped him with a $2.4 million fine, claiming that his company Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd failed to pay its taxes.  Ai denies these allegations, stating that the company files under his wife, and claims that this is Beijing’s latest attempt at controlling him.

This echoes slots online the Communist Party’s past efforts at silencing Ai, where he was detained for 81 days as part of the ‘Jasmine Revolution’.  China’s Jasmine Revolution, a silent revolution called for by human rights activists, resulted in the detainment of numerous artists and lawyers in early 2011.  The Chinese government feared the revolution would spark results similar to the Arab Spring.

Following his release, Ai became more vocal than ever, using Twitter and other social media platforms to express his views, despite a demand by the Chinese government to avoid social media.  It was this vocalism that directly brought the tax evasion claim.

Now that word has spread about the incredible fine, thousands of Ai Weiwei supporters have flocked to his house to deliver cash, as well as deposited money directly into his bank account.  According to Ai, more than 30,000 supporters have contributed $1.37 million towards the fine.  The contributions continue to increase.

In order to buy more time and prevent his wife”s incarceration, Ai has paid $1.33 million towards the $2.4 million while he appeals the case in both the tax and legal systems.  He expresses his doubt that he will be pardoned, and promises that he will repay the faithful supporters who have contributed.  Ai calls them “the beginning of civil society in China”.

An academic documentary about Ai Weiwei by Alison Klayman, is set to release in 2012.  The documentary, titled, Never Sorry, explores Ai Weiwei’s astonishing revolutionary spirit.

*Photograph: Ai Weiwei with Sunflower Seeds- Fiona Hanson/PA

References and Further Reading:
Calls for a ‘Jasmine Revolution’ in China Persist – The NY Times
Chinese Artist Says He Will Pay Back Taxes – The Wall Street Journal
Ai Weiwei: The Voice Of Treason – China Digital Times
China orders Ai Weiwei to pay $2.4 million for “tax evasion” – Reuters 

By Joann Saridakis, NorCap Staff Intern

The 798 Art District was not always home to the cities artists and designers. It began as a factory which manufactured components of military equipment. Now, though, the old factory buildings house the work of some of China’s most talented artists. Visitors to 798 can walk freely into any of the art galleries, which do not charge for admittance, or browse small shops that sell Communist era posters alongside more modern trinkets before stopping for a cup of coffee at one of the many cafes which have sprung up throughout the district. Countless sculptures line the streets of the district, some of which have been in place long enough that the effects of weathering the elements are easily apparent (see pictures below). There have been some concerns that 798 is becoming too commercialized, or that artists go there not to find an outlet for their creativity, but simply to be on show for the many people that frequent the district. Caochangdi, another art district started by Ai Weiwei over a decade ago, has even replaced 798 in the eyes of many contemporary Chinese artists. In spite of this, a trip to the 798 art district to view the work of China’s artists is still an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

This week is also Beijing Design Week (BJDW), which showcases the work not only of Chinese designers, but the work of designers from around the world. Events and exhibitions are taking place all over the city, including some which are located in 798. Dashilar, a historic district bordering Tiananmen Square, will be featured during BJDW as the location of pop-up shops of major retailers, as well as the site of several art installations. The conditions of the district have declined in recent years, but Design Week will hopefully result in a revival for the area. BJDW also hopes to draw the attention of designers world-wide to China’s capital, reversing the notion that products are only “Made in China”.

For more information about Design Week:
Beijing Design Week (BJDW) Website
More on the Dashilar Event – BJDW Website
“Designed in China” – Financial Times