On Wednesday 24th of February, Year 10-12 Art students went to 798 Art district. Starting at UCCA (Uliens Center for Contemporary Art) we explored three exhibitions of uniquely modern art.
First we looked at the expressive large scale canvas of Peter Wayne Lewis and Frederick J Brown, both American painters with close ties to China. In the central gallery we viewed Trace of Existence, a group of works that explores the notion of survival and the artwork as a record of its own creation. In the great hall we viewed the impressive collection of artworks by Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, titled The Well Fair. This is their first exhibition in China, exhibiting a collection of over 80 works, produced in the last twenty years. The works are largely installation and juxtapose familiar spaces, existing works are recreated in new contexts.
We then moved on to the Faurshou Foundation to see Yoko Ono's Golden ladders exhibition. Learners were treated to an explanation of the work by Maria Grzywacz, the ladders explore our dreams and goals, the trees growing out of boxes look at life and death, glass jars filled with water look at the essence of our lives.
Finally learners wrote their wishes down and tied them to the wish trees outside the galleries. Learners were then encouraged to explore as many of the smaller exhibitions as possible in the variety of gallery and factory spaces.
Learners will now use this experience to develop pages in their books towards the themes they are working with in class.
Update from: Ms. Helen Bramley, Art Teacher