Just got back from the opening of the new Saatchi gallery in Chelsea (it is the only completely free contemporary art museum of its size in the world).
Charles Saatchi the famed britart instigator opened the doors to his new gallery featuring a show devoted to the latest from China.
I was overall dis-heartened by what was on show, I felt as though there was no point of reference to the work apart from all the artists being Chinese, it all had a dark side, maybe yet again informing us of the restrictions that they have inforced upon them and their art by the Chinese government. But all this seems to be doing is pushing up the prices of their work making nearly almost all of the artists shown multi-millionaires.
Charles Saatchi the famed britart instigator opened the doors to his new gallery featuring a show devoted to the latest from China.
I was overall dis-heartened by what was on show, I felt as though there was no point of reference to the work apart from all the artists being Chinese, it all had a dark side, maybe yet again informing us of the restrictions that they have inforced upon them and their art by the Chinese government. But all this seems to be doing is pushing up the prices of their work making nearly almost all of the artists shown multi-millionaires.
Donkey by Zhang HuanThe way the Western art collectors are snapping up any sensational Chinese art makes me see this saatchi show in a trite light. Artist Zhang Huan's studio in Beijing is big enough to rival both Koons and Hirst 'factory line' studios put together, as much as I accept that the art world is run by mainly by business men; dealers and collectors as is always obvious at Frieze Art Fair. I felt this show was too polished and had none of the Saatchi charm of sensations or The Triumph of Painting shows.
However the Old Folks Home installation on the lower floor did bring a smile to my face, it featured mannequins resembling some of the worlds most powerful leaders whizzing around on motorized wheelchairs, greying and senile nearly crashing into each other;
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1529569286/bclid1364231013/bctid1840646528
Some of my photos of the show/ gallery will be posted soon.
However the Old Folks Home installation on the lower floor did bring a smile to my face, it featured mannequins resembling some of the worlds most powerful leaders whizzing around on motorized wheelchairs, greying and senile nearly crashing into each other;
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1529569286/bclid1364231013/bctid1840646528
Some of my photos of the show/ gallery will be posted soon.
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