Night Museum — Opening Night Zhao Bandi
At 8:00 p.m. on August 31, the “Night Museum Opening Night” officially kicked off. Renowned contemporary artist Zhao Bandi transformed CHAO’s underground art space into the primary site of his “event-based” artistic creation, presenting the audience with a unique and playfully satirical performance, Zhao Bandi’s Party. As night fell, an art scene blending elements of absurdity and classicism slowly unfolded…
As the highlight of the party, Zhao Bandi staged an art performance that juxtaposed a donkey with classical music within the Bridge Space—an encounter that combined absurdity with a sense of the classical.
Continuing the conceptual framework of Zhao Bandi’s Party, piano music and ballet were placed side by side with the donkey, turning the gaze of the participants into an integral part of the “event.” Through the shifting of attention and excitement, layers of satire and metaphor concerning social realities unfolded continuously throughout the performance.
In Conversation with the Artist
Q: How did you first get involved with the CHAO Night Museum project? And what is your perspective on this type of event?
A: After last year’s Zhao Bandi’s China Party, I received several invitations for other “party” projects. After completing a few of them, I began to wonder whether it would be possible to stage an even bigger party in a larger space. That’s when I connected with the team at CHAO Art Center. Their vision is to create a new landmark in Sanlitun, a place where new Chinese culture and contemporary avant-garde art can unfold. The concept of the Night Museum project was incredibly appealing—it carries immense energy and has the potential to become a launching point for Chinese avant-garde art to reach the rest of the country. It was a perfect convergence of ideas.
Q: You’ve mentioned wanting to maintain a certain distance from the mainstream. With immersive and experiential art projects becoming increasingly popular, do you consider this type of art to be part of the current mainstream? How do you define “mainstream” versus “non-mainstream,” and why do you position yourself in an “anti-mainstream” stance?
A: The term “immersive art” is clever, but I don’t actually see it as a completely new art form. Anyone familiar with art knows that interactive art has long existed, and the entangled, responsive relationship between performance and audience is not a new concept. Today, however, many so-called “viral exhibitions” have gained popularity simply by being labeled as “immersive art.” I view this phenomenon critically.
In my opinion, these exhibitions are primarily spaces for taking selfies, rather than genuine art. So what, then, is true “immersive art”? It is art that genuinely penetrates a person’s inner life, integrates with daily experience, and shapes the way one perceives the world—this is the kind of immersive art that deserves recognition.
Q: You’ve mentioned wanting to maintain a certain distance from the mainstream. With immersive and experiential art projects becoming increasingly popular, do you consider this type of art to be part of the current mainstream? How do you define “mainstream” versus “non-mainstream,” and why do you position yourself in an “anti-mainstream” stance?
A: The term “immersive art” is clever, but I don’t actually see it as a completely new art form. Anyone familiar with art knows that interactive art has long existed, and the entangled, responsive relationship between performance and audience is not a new concept. Today, however, many so-called “viral exhibitions” have gained popularity simply by being labeled as “immersive art.” I view this phenomenon critically.
In my opinion, these exhibitions are primarily spaces for taking selfies, rather than genuine art. So what, then, is true “immersive art”? It is art that genuinely penetrates a person’s inner life, integrates with daily experience, and shapes the way one perceives the world—this is the kind of immersive art that deserves recognition.
NIGHT MUSEUM
Starting from August 2018, CHAO will be establishing a new concept Night Museum. Inspired by the abstract concept of museums and clubs, it allows various elements belonging to cultural and artistic aspects to be displayed in a dynamic atmosphere.
Night Museum is a new form of night party. Here people will have chances to enjoy different types of art including music, dance, dramas, movies and etc. The experience here will be updated every time, and all you have to do is be prepared to get involved into the best night event in Beijing with curiosity and enthusiasm.