Contemporary art institute splits critics

• Source: Global Times
• [22:38 November 22 2009]
• Comments

Officials and artists at the opening ceremony of the institute.

Many see the establishment of the new institute as an encouraging sign that the once marginalized contemporary art field is finally receiving the recognition and attention from the government that it deserves, hoping that further opportunities and funds will now be allocated to the field.

Director Luo Zhongli also expressed his confidence toward the future of the institute and its function in Chinese contemporary art, saying that systematic research would definitely help in building a sound academic atmosphere for the genre both now and for generations to come.

However, many artists and critics hold grave concerns about the new organization. Chen Danqing, painter and independent art critic, regards its establishment as an amnesty and enlistment from the government, worrying that State involvement will damage artists' independence.

"It is nothing but a gesture that these once eccentric artists have taken amnesty from the government," Chen said in his speech at the institute's opening ceremony.

He expressed hope that the artists would never be affected by so-called "mainstream" art and would always keep their own avant-garde spirits.

Famous independent art critic Zhu Qi holds the same view as Chen, sharply criticizing the 21 artists involved as giving up their position as independent thinkers and art creators as they have now listed with the government.

"The vitality of Chinese avant-garde art to a very large extent lies in its criticism toward society and even the government and without such a spirit it is hard to say whether there will be still people interested in it," Zhu said.

"Most of the enlisted artists became famous due to their Political Pop or Cynical Realism works that often explored problems existent in society," Zhu continued, "but they are now included in an institute held by the government, where I'm afraid they will lose their independence in artistic creation."

Several of the 21 artists involved have expressed their opinions, saying that their integrity and independence would never be effected by their position as experts of the institution. Many of them added that the involvement of government in the previously neglected art form gives a chance for contemporary art to reach more people, not only those in a small circle.

"I think we can expect that the institute will do meaningful things for Chinese contemporary art," said artist Zhou Chunya. "Anyway, it at least reveals that contemporary art is being embraced by the government which chose to ignore it for so long."