We were invited to an art opening called 'The Possibility of an Island' at the Shapowei Art centre here in Xiamen. This was a huge event with about 20 different artists showing work in three different warehouse spaces. This reminded me so much of the Exhibitions in Newcastle, UK about 10 years ago which were put together Ad Hoc in various unused places around the city. Unfortunately after Waygood Gallery closed and Vane Gallery became commercial these exciting ventures came to an end, and the exhibitions we saw became in general more curated and slick.
I miss the dangerous and more wild elements of these kinds of spaces, where artists can try out new ideas, in unconventional environments. There was even a Lipstick/kissing performance outside where a european artist was applying lipstick to herself and kissing a Chinese Girl Over and Over. This also reminded me of the platform events in Newcastle. But I couldn't help thinking I had seen the same idea, in slightly different forms in student works I have seen over the years. However seeing stuff like this in China was refreshing and exciting, compared with the mainly slick wall based stuff I have witnessed here.We were also introduced to an Artist Called Stella whom was telling us lots of stories about her travels around Asia. We agreed to meet her the next day...
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