Beyond recording – Cinema box samples the world of film art

If recording was the initial function of the video, then artists have completely reinvented the medium during the past 40 years. HBOX, an exhibition which opened this month, presents works by eight artists from seven countries to show how video has grown from a medium of documentary to platform for cutting-edge art.

Dreaming up designs – Hara’s solo exhibition shows the origins of orginality

It was the age of wisdom and foolishness. It was the epoch of belief and incredulity. It was a tale of design, which about two dreams. One is of Japan; the other is of China. One is about the optimum of original design; othe other is about the success of commercial occupation.

Vanishing world – Ning Ying’s Beijing Trilogy captures a changing city

Films make a city. Rome was celebrated by Roman Holiday, Barcelona by Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Paris by Paris, I Love You.

Dust to dust – Using the dirty to create the beautiful

Dust invades every corner of life. Most of time, people hardly notice its presence. Occasionally it appears in a less benign form, like a sandstorm or cloud of volcanic ash.

Chinese scents pervade Venice – Inside the China Pavilion at 2011 Venice Biennale

The 54th International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia opens June 4 at the Arsenale and Giardini. Peng Feng, curator of the China Pavilion, will lead five Chinese artists – Cai Zhisong, Liang Yuanwei, Pan Gongkai, Yang Maoyuan and Yuan Gong – to participate in the art carnival.

Curtains in Venice – Victoria Lu to step down as curator after last exhibition

Victoria Lu is putting an end to her 32-year curatorial career at this year’s Venice Biennale. Her final exhibition will highlight the creative energy of contemporary Asian art.

Not all kawaii – Young artists broaden world of creation

“Kawaii,” or cute, is the Japanese loan word art critics commonly slap on the ’80s generation. Most of their works are seen as betraying a childhood spent consuming a glut of cartoons and cartoon-like works.

Dancing forward – Spring dance week showcases modern performance

“If classical ballet is a way of looking backward, modern dance is one of looking into the future,” said Willy Tsao, artistic director of BeijingDance/LDTX Theater.

Born into opera – Italian director interprets Puccini

There are few opera directors like Giancarlo del Monaco, a master who can recite and sing more than 80 operas from memory.

Energizing art – China’s top art fair favors Asian contemporary

While the world art industry struggles to recover from a crippling economic downturn, China’s burgeoning contemporary scene is finding success at all levels. Artists, curators and investors all stand to make a killing on the new boom.