Duration: 2007.2.10- 2007.3.18
Venue: B.T.A.P.
Curator: Snejana Krasteva, Feng Boyi
Artists: Bai Ming, Fenglin, Hu YanLan, Jin Nu, Liang Tao, Liang Yuanwei, Tang YuHan, Wang Tiantian, Xia Peng, Zhang Yi

    In recent years many changes have occurred in the Chinese art scene. We have seen the rise of various trends and the emergence of numerous artists. The egocentric Western art world remains astonished and fascinated by the power of this “Oriental Star”. Living in such a context we cannot help but ask ourselves, what force is behind all this?

    Trends rise and fall; artists shine because of the inner force and genius in their creations, but also because many people believe and support their visions. From the beginning, the Chinese art scene was destined to be a unique and powerful force. The specific historical context in which it originated compelled rebel-minded individuals to dare to challenge first themselves and then the world around them. In the early years no institutions existed to help these artists; there were no galleries, there were few people daring enough to openly appreciate their art. The artists struggled alone. Just 20 years later, hundreds of foreign and local contemporary art galleries, museums, and foundations exist. Every month a dozen exhibition openings “strike” the country; each exhibition aspiring to make a point and outdo the past and leave a lasting imprint upon Chinese art history. At this point, whether or not they succeed is less important than the fact that they are being held.  Every exhibition provides an opportunity for someone to create, for another to criticize, and for countless others to watch, learn, and think about the world in a different way.

    “IS IT OK TO HAVE FUN IN AN ART GALLERY” is a title that seeks, against the background of Chinese art, to draw attention to the role an art gallery has in the interconnected art universe. The commercial nature of galleries often engenders a certain degree of seriousness over what is suitable for exhibition. Exhibitions are often criticized based on the balance they strike between the “commercial” and the “pure” art contents they contain. Through experimentation in the exhibition, by presenting new young artists and giving them a playground to explore their capabilities, can a gallery just “enjoy” and get away with it?

    BTAP has been the first gallery inhabiting the 798 art district in Beijing, and ever since has tried to present more and more challenging exhibitions. This upcoming exhibition is another opportunity to re-examine that role and, not at the last place – to have fun with our artists. Is it OK?