Jetsettersblog

Beijing is the heartbeat of China’s white-hot contemporary arts scene and this one-of-a-kind gallery brings the best of Beijing art right into the hotel lobby. The unique gallery enables guests to get up close and personal with cutting-edge contemporary Chinese artworks, and upholds Langham’s commitment to support the local community by promoting Beijing artists at the five-star lifestyle hotel.

UPCOMING PROGRAMMES

Following its unveiling on 23 August 2010, the Art Gallery’s first seasonal exhibition opens with a cocktail soiree on 10 September 2010, attended by Beijing’s leading art buyers, dealers and media.

The inaugural exhibition will focus on fresh Beijing talent. It is available for viewing 24 hours a day and runs until December 2010.

“Although there is a wide variety of styles on show, all works have a unique voice and portray a hint of China, either in the topic, style or method used,” says guest curator, Tom Pattinson. The artworks are also surprisingly affordable – so you may find your baggage is a bit heavier after your visit.

In conjunction with the Art Gallery, an Art Corner and supporting online platform (http://www.langhamplacehotels.com/artist)  reaches out to young and emerging artists.

A specially designed website allows artists to submit their creative concepts across a variety of mediums.

Each month, Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport selects the best art works from the website submissions to be displayed in the Art Corner for one month. Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport will also hold a high tea on the 10th of each month with influential figures from the art world to introduce each new artist in residence. Artists can submit their work at www.langhamplacehotels.com/artist

A series of Art Workshops are also planned, beginning on 14 October 2010 when exhibiting artists Chen Yu and Hua Jiming will discuss their works and inspiration with art lovers and the general public.

FEATURED ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Among the artists to look out for in the opening exhibition is Chen Yu, one of the few established female artists in Beijing. Her works of brightly coloured flowers with a lacquer type finish are in hot demand across Asia. Dong Yan is another acclaimed young talent.

Part of the post-1980s generation of artists, his bold canvases often feature an umbrella, representing the sheltered existence of today’s youth in China.

Other exciting artists include Liu Zhonghua, whose dream-like images of dragons and paper airplanes are expressed in variety of mediums, including print, photography, animation and oil painting.

The youngest of the artists in residence, Liu Aijing was born in 1986 and incorporates her traditional Chinese painting training alongside elegant contemporary themes using a mix of rice paper, ink, watercolour and gold leaf. Hua Jiming, meanwhile, toured across China as a performance artist before moving on to contemporary Chinese pop art.

AN ART GALLERY MASQUERADING AS A HOTEL

“Beijing is the capital of the hugely popular Chinese contemporary art scene. What better place to showcase the best of Beijing’s local talent than at Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport – known as an art gallery masquerading as a hotel,” says General Manager Mark Francis. Beyond the dedicated gallery, Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport features a collection of more than 400 canvases, sculptures and art installations on public display throughout the hotel.

Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport is situated right next to Beijing Capital International Airport’s iconic Sir Norman Foster-designed Terminal 3.

Offering a stimulating, new-age approach to five-star luxury, the first ‘airport lifestyle hotel’ features DJs in the lobby, loft-style apartments and a 24-hour high-tech environment for work and play in its 372 rooms, two-storey Club L lounge, five exciting restaurants and bars – and leading Art Gallery.

Travellers can take advantage of the complimentary airport shuttle bus service. Painted from top to bottom in the trademark Langham pink, even the hotel’s buses are artistically designed.

For more information on Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport visit:
www.beijingairport.langhamplacehotels.com