The Sixth Beijing Dangdai Art Fair grandly opened on May 23, 2024, at Hall 11 of the National Agricultural Exhibition Center. As the largest art fair in Beijing this year, the 2024 edition has further enhanced the richness and inclusivity of its content. Under the theme of “Diversity Meets Cohesion,” it brings together 122 participating institutions from 36 cities across 14 countries and regions. Following the grand “Reunion” of 2023, this year’s fair harnesses the power of “Convergence,” gathering artistic forces from across the city, the nation, and the world into a richly textured and dynamic presence. This vibrant “Art World” invites everyone to share in an extraordinary “Beijing Time”. In collaboration with concurrent cultural events such as Beijing Design Week, Gallery Weekend Beijing, Future Forum, and Beijing Science Week, the fair consolidates the city’s collective strength into a singular season of art belonging to Beijing.

“Convergence: Ushering in Beijing’s Art Season”
Beijing International Design Week, as the capital’s significant annual international cultural event, is committed to bringing together global innovative design and art resources. It provides a platform for showcasing, exchanging, and trading for domestic and international designers, design institutions, artists, and art institutions. The Design Week actively promotes the integration and development of creative design with related industries such as culture and art. This year, it joins forces with Beijing Dangdai Art Fair, Gallery Weekend Beijing, and other dedicated partners in the city to create an “Art Season” for Beijing.

The concept of an open and rich “locality” has been a core principle of “Beijing Dangdai” since its inception. This is not merely a cultural strategy but also a profound respect for the diverse and abundant world of art itself. This year’s fair integrates galleries from various cultures and regions, bringing together different types and levels of the artistic ecosystem. From classical to trendy, from ink painting to digital art, from easel paintings to public installations, and from original artworks to creative derivatives, the fair fully embodies the vibrant diversity of art in contemporary life. It offers the audience a concentrated experience of an expansive artistic spectrum.

FAW Audi once again takes the exclusive title sponsorship for the “DIGITALLATION ” and “WONDER” sections of the Beijing Dangdai Art Fair. Embracing the design philosophy of “Let Art Achieve the Beauty of Technology”, Audi has always been committed to the perfect integration of cutting-edge technology and classic design. This year, FAW Audi collaborates with the highly acclaimed young architect and artist Yu Yue to create a large-scale digital art installation, “Infinite”, inspired by the Audi e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron. “Infinite” represents Yu Yue’s exploration of the relationship between people, architecture, and the city, aiming to create infinite possibilities within a finite space. In this work, the aesthetic design genes interweave between architecture and automobiles. The mirrored metal structure of the art installation transforms into infinite spaces, fully showcasing the design and pure electric technology charm of the car bodies, creating a boundless, limitless domain.

“An Abundant Venue Embracing a Rich Artistic Ecosystem”
This year’s Beijing Dangdai Art Fair brings together 122 participating institutions and nearly a thousand artists, presenting a dazzling feast of art. The fair is divided into ten sections: VALUE, FUTURE, STORY, WONDER, DIGITALLATION, ENERGY, CO-TIME, FOCUS, MEETING, and SYMPOSIUM, each corresponding to essential components and perspectives of the artistic ecosystem.

In the gallery sections “VALUE” and “FUTURE”, 23 galleries make their debut at the Beijing Dangdai Art Fair. These galleries hail from Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong SAR, and Taipei, as well as major global art cities like London, Berlin, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Seoul. Together, they showcase diverse aesthetic propositions and artistic values, fully embodying the concept of “local” within a global perspective.

In line with the fair’s commitment to curatorial excellence, encouraging academic and experimental endeavors, the Beijing Dangdai Art Fair has established the “Best Booth Award”. This year’s jury includes renowned artist Zhang Peili, collector Tian Jun, head of Taikang Insurance Groups’ art collection department and art director of Taikang Space, Tang Xin, professor and doctoral advisor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and director of New Power Art Museum, Zhang Zikang, and Publisher and President of the Financial Times Chinese Edition Zhang Yan. Beijing’s White Space gallery, with its experimental curatorial efforts, has been awarded this year’s Best Booth Award.

The “FAW Audi WONDER” section, dedicated to public art creation, and the “FAW DIGITALLATION” section, focusing on digital aesthetic trends, present numerous representative and groundbreaking works by artists in the form of an “exhibition within an exhibition” at the art fair. Architect and artist Yu Yue’s collaborative installation with FAW Audi, titled “Infinity”, has become a highlight in the fair’s plaza. Huang Bo, an actor who also explores other artistic creations, delves into the use of new materials in sculptural language with his work “Breaker Surge”.

“FOCUS” is a unit of the Beijing Dangdai Art Fair that focuses on specific artworks or themes. Through in-depth and independent observation, it uncovers the true essence of artists, their works, and the topics they explore. This year, the spotlight is on the creative trends represented by four young artists: Chen Junjiang, Lin Jingyun, Wang Xiaofu, and Yu Yang.The “ENERGY” unit brings together institutions to explore the inspiration of art and aesthetics in daily life. This includes six museums, museum shops, and art centers from across the country, allowing visitors to experience the unique characteristics of various national art institutions without leaving Beijing. The “CO-TIME” unit once again takes the form of an outdoor market in the plaza, featuring art derivatives and creative cuisine, resonating with the outdoor season of Beijing’s summer. The “SPECIAL STORY” unit presents innovative projects spanning different fields, including nonprofit experimental spaces, digital economy innovations, and individual artist projects. Organizations dedicated to humanitarian and artistic concerns will also showcase the power of art beyond commercial and industrial logic. Singularity Future | Future Forum, as the scientific and public welfare partner of the fair, hosts a symposium themed on science and art and presents a series of works that explore the deep interweaving and mutual reflection of technology and art.

“Embracing the City’s Art Season in Beijing Time”
The cohesion of Beijing Dangdai Art Fair extends beyond the exhibition grounds. Centered at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, under the banner of the fair’s “SYMPOSIUM” segment, it collaborates with numerous art museums, cultural institutions, collection spaces, and dining brands across the capital city. From the commencement of VIP events on May 22nd to the closing of the fair on May 26th, it offers “108 Hours of Beijing” to both VIPs and the public, refreshing their experience and perception of “Beijing Time” within the context of art. The official mini-program of Beijing Dangdai Art Fair, “ARTLOOP,” will also undergo a fresh upgrade, presenting an art calendar and art map for everyone. With just a click, people can unlock the art map and embark on a journey of art.

Beijing Dangdai Art Fair collaborates with Sanlitun Taikoo Li, its strategic partner in commercial real estate, to present breakthrough immersive works at the 3D digital gallery in Sanlitun Taikoo Li. These include the “Symbiotic Garden” project initiated by Cheng Xue in collaboration with Mulei Studio, and “Jellyfish Universe” by artist Li Jiatao in collaboration with Lightning Studio. These works transcend boundaries and connect the public, bringing digital art to the heart of Beijing’s fashion and trendsetting district.

In the pleasant days of May, Beijing has always been adorned with summer’s charm, marking the onset of an artistic season unique to this city. The Beijing Dangdai Art Fair collaborates closely with the Beijing Design Week, Gallery Weekend Beijing, Future Forum, and Beijing Technology Week, joining hands with various art and cultural institutions scattered throughout the city. Together, they inaugurate an art season that belongs to Beijing. The Beijing Dangdai Art Fair remains true to its mission, striving to become an art exhibition that resonates with the cultural essence of Beijing, one that reflects the richness of a great nation’s culture. It aims to be an exhibition that innovates based on its own experiences, offering a platform for artistic exploration and innovation.