"What is happening in China is what happened in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. New ground is being broken. There's a revolution under way."

- Michael Goedhuis, a collector and art dealer specializing in Asian contemporary art who has galleries in London and New York.

New Art + Old China

China has suddenly become the world′s hottest contemporary art market. Learn why this October as we explore two of the country′s most exciting cities, Beijing and Shanghai.

The ever-stronger forces of globalization and the bullet-paced march of a market society across China are fundamentally changing the landscape of contemporary art. With auction prices soaring, hundreds of new studios, galleries and private art museums opening in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Experimental artists who grew up during China's brutal Cultural Revolution continue to push the limits of political expression and satire. Many of today′s artists continue this legacy, lending an artistic voice to the competing cultural visions of a utopia as the country demolishes much of its past to make way for the future. ‘Chai-na’ (pronounced China), is a Chinglish pun currently in vogue, meaning ‘demolish that’. Fittingly so!

The contradictions of the moment are mind boggling. Artist Wang Jingsong presents a repetitive series of photos of the Chinese character "chai," or "demolish" (above image). "Chai," which has been painted and circled in white on countless walls around Beijing and every other Chinese city, is the dominant symbol of the destruction of the old to make way for the new as the country re-sculpts itself at hyper-speed. A-list chefs and design celebrities open kitchens each year, while former factories and warehouses yield pristine hubs of art and design, and once-dilapidated mansions are being transformed into boutiques and clubs.

But there′s also something intoxicating about this moment of a culture in flux, and the potential of possibilities that represent "China Now".

This October, join The Jacobs Group on a very special collectors trip as we visit Beijing and Shanghai for an immersion into these contradictions and possibilities:

Old China:

• Stay at the Grand Hotel, with rooms overlooking the Forbidden Palace ­ the best view in Beijing!

• Tour the architecture of the country′s past, from ancient monuments, temples and palaces.

• Explore Beijing′s picturesque Houhai district where many old courtyard homes are preserved amid narrow hutong alleys bordering tree-lined lakes, tour the district by "pedicab" for a more lively experience of traditional Chinese life and enjoy lunch at a local family′s private home.

• Experience a traditional Peking Opera performance, and of course, tour the famous Great Wall of China.

New Art:

• Meet with museum curators, visit some of the best new galleries and museums, such as 798 Space (pictured here).

• Visit invitation-only private collections and engage with artists in their studios.

• See the progress of contemporary architecture and the changing shapes of the cities' skylines, especially as Beijing prepares for the Olympics in 2008.

• Explore fine dining along the Bund in Shanghai, where a night out is an event like nowhere else!

View the itinerary:

Please click the PDF icon to download the itinerary, pricing, and registration form!

CONTACT US

To register for this trip or for any other questions please email or call!

creativetravel@thejacobsgroup.net

Toll Free (866) 362-1039
Ph (503) 922-2863
Fax (866) 856-2237

FYI!

We′ll continue to add and tailor activities and recommendations up until our departure date, so that we experience the best of the moment in burgeoning art, architectural, design and culinary offerings within each city.
The size of this trip is limited to ensure an engaging and intimate experience, and a few spots remain! Registration will close quickly as we fill these remaining spots!

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