Cao Zhen

    caozhen0806@126.com

    AVANT-GARDE artists Wang Guangyi, Zhang Xiaogang, Fang Lijun and Guan Wei — all big names in contemporary art — have works on display at the O’Plaza shopping center in Nanshan District, in an exhibition curated by OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (OCAT).

    Titled “Collection From OCAT Shenzhen,” the exhibition showcases 13 paintings, photos, prints and sculptures created by 14 artists and housed by OCAT from 2004 to 2011. The exhibition aims to promote contemporary art to the public. Past lectures on art and publications by OCAT are also on display. Free lectures by participating artists will be held once a month during the exhibition.

    “Most people go to museums or galleries to admire pieces of art because they like them. Now, we’ve put artworks in a shopping center to let people who are not interested in art get to know it,” said Luan Qian, head of OCAT.

    Luan said OCAT, which is located in the OCT-LOFT area, will regularly hold exhibitions at the O’Plaza shopping center, which is south of the Splendid China theme park.

    It is not the first time for OCAT to exhibit contemporary art in a high-traffic space.

    Three pieces displayed in the O’Plaza exhibition — Wang’s oil on canvas, “Hello, World,” Zhang’s oil on canvas, “Large Family,” and Fang’s oil on canvas, “Song of Joy” — were displayed at the Qiaocheng East, OCT and Window of the World Metro stations for a week in 2006. The three works’ themes are peace, happiness and world commonalities, which are in accordance with the atmosphere of the Overseas Chinese Town (OCT) area.

    At the O’Plaza exhibition, Guan’s acrylic-on-canvas paintings “The Journey to Australia” and “Kaleidoscopic World” should not be missed. Guan was part of China’s modernist art movement in the 1980s and immigrated to Australia late in that decade. He uses epics, legends, mythological narratives and grand spaces to meld the cultures of Australia and China, exploring the circumstances and diverse potential of the different civilizations against the backdrop of globalization. The two paintings are inspired by debates about immigration and refugees in Australia.

    Internationally acclaimed holographic artist Dieter Jung from Germany is displaying “Eclipse-VIII” at the exhibition. A hologram creates a 3-D image by reconstructing light waves that are reflected from the original scene or object. Holograms are made using lasers as a light source and are generally recorded on photographic emulsions.

    Jung is a pioneer of holographic art and focuses less on concrete objects and more on abstract geometry to compose holographic images. Viewers can experience an amazing world of light and color while viewing Jung’s works.

    Dates: Through Jan. 5, 2014

    Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

    Venue: O’Plaza, Baishi Road, Nanshan District (南山区白石路欢乐海岸购物中心)

    Metro: Luobao Line, Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit B