An
hour-long documentary film about Chinese contemporary art
directed by Pia Getty.
China has huge momentum, a confidant growing global power
whose voice is being heard more and more on the
international stage. Her industry is on the rise, her
military is a global player and now she has flexed her
sporting muscle with the Olympics.
Next, an explosion of modern Chinese creative expression
and culture will take centre stage.
“No
more Chinese whispers. As their country undergoes rapid,
radical change, China's contemporary artists are blending
raw passion, savage humour and historical subversion to
create primal, ground-breaking work”
‘China Power’ was shot High Definition on location; China
March and November 2007, UK 2006 – 2008, and Norway
September 2007.
Everyday images of Chinese life with evocative landscapes
and cityscapes Juxtapose and illuminate the current social
climate for artistic practice. The film uses original music
composition and experimental Chinese sound design as a
dynamic and mesmerising sound track.
‘China Power’ features an informative narration by Rufus
Sewell together with English and Chinese interviews.
In a time of great change, as China struggles to balance
capitalism with communism a new wave of contemporary art
must find its voice.
“Art
is a very non-political way of creating a dialogue between
East and West.”
Art ranges from hi-tech video installation, experimental
sound design and finely crafted paintings, to intricate
animation and inspired architecture. Most artists that
feature in the film live and work in China, and enjoy the
current climate for artistic exploration. They also benefit
from critical acclaim in the West.
In Beijing And Shanghai the dynamic environment for
artistic work and cultural expression is explored. The film
visits established artists Yue Minjun and Zhang Xiaogang in
their studios, they’ve seen their paintings reach record
breaking prices at auction in 2007, well over a million
pounds a piece.
‘China Power’ meets cultural guru Ai Weiwei, widely
regarded as China’s father of conceptual art and one of the
architectural designers behind Beijing’s Olympic stadium
the ‘Birds Nest’.
“I think that contemporary art itself in China is still
not a very long history I’m among the first generation, but
think about that it’s only about thirty years.”
Chinese
art has developed rapidly since the end of the Cultural
Revolution in 1979. ‘China Power’ charts the swift history
of Contemporary art through its key movements and
events.
Young filmmakers, curators, and critics comment and the
burgeoning gallery scene in Beijing and Shanghai is
explored.
With the Serpentine Gallery's exhibition at Battersea Power
Station a new group of Chinese artists is introduced to an
international audience, artwork is shown against the
backdrop of London's iconic and spectacular ruin.
'China Power Station Part 2'. confronts the youngest
generation of Chinese Artists and meets them as they
prepare for the opening of an exhibition in Oslo.
‘China Power’, a dynamic film about a burgeoning vibrant
art scene, at a time when the world is looking to the east.
“Art has a universal language, like the language of
love, you have some thing in common beyond words.”
Contemporary
Chinese art is reaching out, crossing boundaries and
searching for its position on the global stage. It is a
representation of the successful modern face of China.
VIEW 3 MIN TRAIL
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