Contemporary Beijing is one of the most fascinating places today. There are traces of new and exciting ideas in the world of art and architecture, and trends here seem to reach a global scale in a short amount of time. There are also elements of these same forms that are still very insular and very specific to the place and time. Those who are visiting a Beijing hotel looking for a combination of the old and the new are always in for a treat.
Old world charms are still prevalent, and traces of its complex history can be found everywhere. In terms of the new, however, it’s hard to spend any time looking at the next exciting thing without coming across the name Ai Weiwei . He is presently one of the most influential artists in China, and arguably the most famous.
Outspoken and extremely active in the contemporary art scene, his life views seem to be the epitome of the whole global and local focus in contemporary art. In many respects, his work and his actions make him a true citizen of the world, able to embrace the innovative and the imaginary, while also being deeply critical of the structures that no longer serve a purpose. His visual work is every bit as exciting as his intellectual observations, and both are penetrating.