Art Journal #52: ShContemporary 2009

I think everyone was trying to find sth nice to say about the art fair. But we all struggled. I mean, it's fine, but it's almost pointless to compare with Basel, or even HK Art Fair for that matter.

The setting is nice - the Shanghai Exhibition Center is a nicer building (Soviet style) than HKCEC for sure - but they did close off all the interesting parts, like the balcony - it would have been so much better if they let people walk out and really enjoy the building.

There's a section called "Discovery" when you walked in. Similar idea as Art Statement in Basel. It's a by-invitation exhibition to show more avant-garde works. I like the video by Vitamin's artist (oops forgot his name), which shoot people in "European style" residences across China - and their ensuring "Paris Syndrome" (never heard of this term before, apparently started by the Japanese, referring to how much they like the Parisian/French style, and tried to replicate that back home, but only to get really disappointed once they got to Paris and see/experience it in real. Exactly same situation with all those ridiculous so-called European style residential in China!!!!)

Lots of unknown Chinese galleries - not just unknown to me but to their fellow gallerists! One must be an art fund - since on display were Yue Minjin, Zhang Xiaogang, and other so-called name brand artists etc. One gallery from Japan show a full set of brand new (2009) large paintings (150x200cm) by Yayogi, plus a new fiberglass 100cm-diameter pumpkin. Never seen her paintings at this size, cant imagine its done by her though, probably painted by those in her studio.

Only thing interesting is the fair's marketing tactic. They'd pay for up to 3 nights of hotels. Which is quite a big draw. I cant quite understand why, when Zhang Wei explained that it's cheap to buy the customer list at 400 RMB per night. Which is true! Also they have a "collector club" which you can sign up, and they will organise lectures, tours, etc. Supposedly a service, a community. But of course it's about getting your info, and soft-selling later - doesnt that sound like those "free" tours from China to HK where you have to make it up when they dragged you to all those shops which wont let you go til you buy sth?!