Fed up of starving your inner creativity with your daily gray surroundings? The number of art exhibitions and events in Beijing are on the rise. Although Beijing’s temperatures are already increasing little by little, indoor activities are still the way to go for at least the next month and a half, so get out your diary and plan to attend some of the events below.

A lot of art related events this month will be in collaboration with the JUE Festival. JUE is an annual urban festival embracing Beijing and Shanghai, aiming to showcase the best of local creative communities, and share talent from around the world. 2014 is its 6th year, and it runs from March 7 until March 23. More information, and tickets, can be found on the official website: juefestival.com. 

Here are some of our picks of longer running art exhibitions, and of JUE events, that are good to be enjoyed on both weekdays and on weekends.

It’s not long before the flowers will blossom again.
Source: ahisgett

Attend a JUE  Music + Art Festival Event

1) Song Lyrics Translation Slam with Neemah View In Map
This event will pit two translators against each other to compare, contrast and clash over the nuances of translation. This time, each translator will present their version of a selection of Neemah’s reportoire, drawing on Tibetan culture, instrumentation, and other world music and folk influences.

When: 20:00, March 14
Where: The Bookworm
Ticket: 65 RMB

2) Asian Cinema Week Closing Event: Comrade Kim Goes Flying View In Map
North Korea’s first “girl power” movie – the story follows a girl who is a North Korean coal miner trying to reach for her dreams.

When: 19:30, March 16
Where: MOMA Broadway Film Center, Skywalk, Dangdai MOMA North Zone, 1 Xiangheyuan Road, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District
北京市东城区东直门香河园路当代万国城北区区一号院人行天桥.
Ticket: 60 RMB (Presale), 80 RMB (At the door)
Website: yoopay.cn
Getting there: Take metro line 2 or 5 and get off at Yonghegong (雍和宫)

3) Blak Twang View In Map
Blak Twang, a cornerstone of UK hip-hop, wholly inspired by the big smoke, will take on Lantern.

When: 22:00, March 21
Where: Lantern Club
Ticket: 60 RMB

Art exhibitions this spring

While there are many different places to see art exhibitions, many of which are located in the famous 798 and the up-and-coming Caochangdi, Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in 798 is one of the best – with internationally renowned exhibitions on offer. Our selection includes three of UCCA’s exhibitions, as well as two exhibitions at other locations.

1) A MadeIn Company Production: Xu Zhen View In Map
Xu Zhen is an internationally renowned Chinese artist based in Shanghai, whose art has crossed over from installation, photography, video, performance and painting. His previous exhibitions have shown a focus on human sensitivity and urban living – with this exhibition featuring over 30 of his installation pieces, ten videos and 20 of his paitings.

When: Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00, Feb 5 to April 20
Where: UCCA, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址：北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路4号
Ticket: 15 RMB

2) Art Post-Internet View In Map
This exhibition examines twentieth century art, post-internet. It looks at art created in an environment where the centrality of the network is assumed, from the changing nature of the image, increasing circulation of cultural objects and new understandings and interventions. It is curated by Karen Archey and Robin Peckham and displays work by a wide range of artist and collectives, and is presented in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut China.

When: Feb 5 to May 11, Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00
Where: UCCA, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址：北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路4号
Ticket: 15 RMB

3) Gathered Sky by James Turrell Sunset Sessions View In Map
Gathered Sky is a monumental installation located at The Temple, adjacent to a Qing dynasty temple complex. After being hosted at the Guggenheim in New York last year, artist James Turrell will awe audiences here in Beijing – due to great demand, booking in advance is necessary, and visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before sunset begins.

When: Feb 9 to March 30, every Sunday
Where: The Temple Hotel, 23 Shatan Bei Jie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址：北京市东城区沙滩北街23号
Ticket: 150 RMB
Website: yoopay.cn

4) La Theorie des Cometes: Giovanni OzzolaView In Map
Giovanni Ozzola presents us with an interactive and stimulating journey through a rosier world, with all pieces in the exhibition linked by light, sea and nature. The entire exhibition works together to form the lives of comets as a metaphor for the lives of ordinary people.

When: Feb 5 – April 20, Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00
Where: Galleria Continua Beijing, 2 Jiuxiangqiao Lu, 798, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址：北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路2号
Ticket: Free
Website: yoopay.cn

5) Without a Home: Ji DachunView In Map
Ji Dachun is best-known for his surrealist, satirical critique of contemporary China. This exhibition includes pieces that have been central to his career and also includes a range of new works especially made for this exhibition.

When: Feb 5 – May 11, Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00,
Where: UCCA, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址：北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路4号
Ticket: 15 RMB
Website: yoopay.cn

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Keywords: JUE festival; UCCA Art Exhibitions and Events in Beijing