The collection is a very 'open' collection. 'Open' may be a strange word here; I mean different things. It is a collection of works of artists who are themselves very open, exploring new ways, asking more questions than giving answers, artists also who are still developing. It doesn't aim to fix images people should have of China, or to transmit stereotypes of China. It is not about 'signature works' or 'trophy pieces' it's more about a spirit, about involvement. It is an open cooperation between a special collector, artists, curators and a gallery. It is not an overview, it is an entrance.
- Lorenz Helbling, Director ShanghART
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It says in the Book of Poems, 'When feelings flood, one could express in words; when words could not express the feelings, one heaves a sigh; if a sigh is still not enough, once could sing a song; when songs still could not quench the emotions, one dances." Nowadays, contemporary artists use video and photography as a new media to express their passion.'
In the image age, with the widespread circulation of newspapers, magazines, movies and the Internet, the impact of new media on our daily lives cannot be ignored. These "images" reflect modern people's insights towards the world and the universe, and at the same time reflect our living environment. The camera has become the carrier of these most important visual expressions. Compared with the paintbrush, it also becomes a more accepted and natural tool. Furthermore, it leads creative art activities to the new media art tide.
Since the 1990s, Chinese artist have made noticeable achievements in new media such as photography and video, which have attracted much attention from the art community inside and outside of China. Zooming into Focus features the collection of the Haudenschilds. As the first retrospective show of Chinese contemporary photography and video ever held in the National Museum of China, Beijing, it reveals the changes of social notions and technologies in Chinese contemporary art from a totally different angle. The exhibition showcases the most outstanding and symbolic works since the end of the last century, which directly reflect the changing culture, social environment and values in China's booming economy.
-Feng Yuan, Director of the National Art Museum, of China, Beijing
China's National Art Museum is currently hosting what some are calling 'its best exhibit ever.' It's a stronghold of landmark artworks from the breakout period of the early 90s, and this is a 'once in Beijing' opportunity to see them all in one place. Go at once to the art museum, but make it before the 20th of November, when the show ends and art fans sadly walk back to the distant 798-Dashanzi district.
- Published in That's Beijing
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The National Art Museum of China presented the exhibition Zooming Into Focus: Contemporary Chinese Photography From the Haudenschild Collection. The exhibition highlighted the remarkable photography and videography works currently being created in China. The swift transformation of Chinese culture is reflected in the work of each of the participating artists, who comment on contemporary Chinese urban life with intelligence, wit, apprehension and nostalgia.
Noted American art collectors Eloisa and Chris Haudenschild have created one of the most important collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world. Focusing on the work of experimental artists from Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, the collection makes groundbreaking contributions to the field of international contemporary art. The National Art Museum of China, which is China's national museum for the visual arts, focuses on collecting, studying and exhibiting China's modern and contemporary works of fine art based on people's daily life.
Shi Yong, one of the participating artists has his own opinion about getting some local exposure, 'I feel very lucky that we can do this exhibition in our home country today. Actually many Chinese artists care more about domestic exhibitions than overseas ones.
- Published by the Siemens Art Program for Culture Times Beijing
EXHIBITION
Zooming into Focus: Contemporary Chinese Photography and Video from the Haudenschild Collection
November 5 - 20, 2005, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
Exhibition organized by Laura Zhou
Zooming into Focus catalog and installation design at the National Museum of China, Beijing by Shi Yong
