Traditions and Contradictions offers a fascinating insight into the rapid rise of visual art in Asia. Profound changes such as urbanization and the rapid introduction of new technology make Asia a culturally dynamic continent. In the case of China, the curious blend of communism and capitalist experimentation adds an extra dimension. For several years now, Asia has seen a boom in artistic production. Chinese artists, in particular, are receiving considerable attention, with their work featured in major international exhibitions such as Documenta and the Venice Biennale. Thanks to their outsider status, Chinese artists can offer a surprisingly fresh perspective, for example on the September 11 attacks and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.

This program has been compiled by British curator Clare Manchester, who will also introduce the screening.

Video works shown:

OU NING AND CAO FEI, THE SAN LI PROJECT, 2003, 10′, China

CHEN SHAOXIONG, WINDOWS2002, 2002, 4′, China

WANG GUO FENG, CHINESE UTOPIA, 2002, 16′, China

JIANG ZHI, PLEASE GIVE ME 50 CENTS I KNOW WHERE BIN LADEN IS, 2002, 4′, China

LIN YILIN, SAFELY MANEUVERED THROUGH, 1995, 17′, China

ZHANG PEILI, ACTORS’ LINES, 2003, 5′, China

YANG ZHENZHONG, 922 GRAINS OF RICE, 2000, 8′, China

SHIMABUKU, THEN I DECIDED TO GIVE A TOUR OF TOKYO TO THE OCTOPUS FROM AKASHI, 2000, 16′, Japan

GO WATANABE, TIDY UP, 1999, 10′, Japan

ARAHMAIANI, ARE YOU HAPPY MR JAN?, 2003, 3′, Indonesia

ARAHMAIANI, THE PAST HAS NOT PASSED, 2002, 4′, Indonesia

KIMSOOJA, A BEGGAR WOMAN – LAGOS, 2001, 9′, South-Korea

Images: Jiang Zhi, Please Give Me 50 Cents I Know Where Bin Laden Is (2004) & Chen Shaoxiong, Windows2002 (2002)