About Xiang Jing – A Chinese Artist

Xiang Jing was born on 1968 in Beijing, China.From 1984 TO 1988 he was Student of the attached middle school of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing.In 1990 – 1995 Xiang Jing attained a Bachelor Degree from the Sculpture Department, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing and he currently lives and works in Shanghai

Xiang Jing’s eerily life-like sculptures confront the viewer with a duplicitous engagement with outward appearance and inner psychology. Xiang’s works range from the larger than life to miniature; cast in bronze or polyurethane, they draw from a classical tradition and aesthetic to portray the experiences of contemporary women. Her works depicting teenagers clubbing, shopping, and primping offer a veneer of generic beauty, sparsely accessorised with synthetic looking props and latest fashion trends; their appearance of mundane innocence is contradicted through their expressions of violence, depression, and malaise. Towering over the viewer as a goddess-like effigy, her vacant gaze projects downward with oppressive force: her nakedness and vulnerability evoking a self-contemplative reflection of inadequacy, humility and emptiness.

Xiang’s value lies not only in her uncanny ability to replicate the facial movements, the gestures, the physical tick that accompany a particular psychological mood, but also in her capacity to augment these psychological states by ingenious props – a cushion and a bright blue bow for a coquettish girl, a tall skinny stood upon which to crouch for a satirically reflective woman smoking on a long, skinny cigarette. In addition to props, Xiang pays meticulous attention to the materials she uses and the ensuing surfaces. In Your Body, Xiang presents a gigantic nude. Fabricated from painted fibreglass, the figure is unnerving in detail, her expertly faux finished skin radiating a sickly, waxen pallor. Shorn headed, and slumped on a simple wooden chair, her subjective doll-like presence reflects the epitome of emotional depletion.

Selected Exhibitions:-

2006

• You’re Body – Xiang Jing 2000-2005, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China

2005

• Keep In Silence, China Art Seasons Gallery, Beijing, China

2003

• Women In The Mirror, Chinese European Art Center, Xiamen, China

• Art of Xiang Jing, Tuan Cheng Gallery, Beijing, China

2001

• Day Dream – Solo Exhibition, Ivy Bookstore, Shanghai, China

Conclusions:

Xiang Jing’s sculpture is their expressiveness they are wistful, critical, languorous, reflective, and melancholic – they encompass and embody virtually every human emotion. . He had already exhibited some of good arts in his own style and the impact of the work had won him a strong reputation in Chinese art circles

What to visit in Beijing, China – Part 1

Beijing is a city on the move. It’s reinventing itself at a rapid rate, replacing traditional hutongs (neighborhoods) with high rises. The city is a clash of old and new, with lots of historical sites and street life to keep any visitor happy.

In the old days, the city was divided into four sections with the Forbidden City as the center of the compass. To the east, lived the rich businessmen; today, Chaoyang is the location for large hotels and embassies; it’s where Westerners gather at bars and restaurants for a taste of home. To the west, lived intellectuals and relatives off the royal family; today it is Xicheng, where many temples and churches are located. The north, once home to the city’s poor, has now been transformed by the building boom of the 2008 Olympics. Finally, to the south once lived the artists and sales people of old Beijing; today Xuanwu and Chongwen districts are the areas for shopping, including Liu Li Chang and Dazhalan Streets.

North

Jingshan Park/The Imperial Gardens

Jingshan Park, once the royal gardens for the Ming and Qing Dynasties, today offers panoramic views of the city. Arrive early, and you will see locals practicing Tai Chi, the Fan and Sword Dances, and walking their birds. The park’s hills were originally created from the dirt excavated to make the moat surrounding the Forbidden City. Atop the Jingshan Hills is the Wanchun Pavilion, the highest natural point in Beijing; from here you can spot the Forbidden City, the Drum and Bell Towers, and Beihai Lake.

Soong Qingling’s Residence

Soong Qingling was the wife of Sun Yat-sen, the first president of the Republic of China, and while she lived in this residence from 1963-81, originally it was created for Prince Zai Feng, the father of Emperor Pu Yi (last emperor of China). Soong and her two sisters were the first women in China to study in the US, which led Soong Qingling to take an active role in making the lives of women in China better.

Qianhai Lake

Wooden decks line the lake for acres of lakeside dining and drinking. Whether enjoying a drink, snack, or dinner, this is a location that offers not only an active nightlife venue but a calmer daytime respite from city life. Paddle boats are available to rent for a look around the lake.

East

Yanghegong/Buddhist Temple

This is the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside Tibet, and more than 100 monks live and pray here. Each morning a giant bell sounds the beginning of the day, and each evening a drum sounds the end.. The temple

Li Xiaopeng of China Wins Parallel Bars Gold Medal at Beijing Olympics – Part 1

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China won the gold medal of parallel bars with a winning result of 16.450 points at Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The silver medal was taken by Yoo Won-chul of South Korea at16.250, followed by Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan in the third place at16.200.

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.
Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China won the gold medal of parallel bars with a winning result of 16.450 points at Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The silver medal was taken by Yoo Won-chul of South Korea at16.250, followed by Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan in the third place at16.200.

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.
Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China won the gold medal of parallel bars with a winning result of 16.450 points at Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The silver medal was taken by Yoo Won-chul of South Korea at16.250, followed by Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan in the third place at16.200.

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

for more informationhttp://www.ishoesclub.com/olympic/show.php?itemid=235

Choosing a good real estate investment

Investing In Chinese Real Estate Investment Trusts

One of the investment instruments is a Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT. One can control real estate through these. Thus is one does not have a large amount of money, he or she can still participate in the ownership of real estate through REITs. These can generate income and capital appreciation over a period of time.

Due to the ensuing Olympics in Beijing, China, there is an excellent opportunity to invest in China REITs for a short period and quick profits.

Till very recently China was quite a closed economy. Investment in Chinese real estate possible was possible only through Hong Kong companies. GZI REIT operating from Hong Kong was the first successful REIT to have established control over REITs in mainland China. Now others have followed.

There is a great demand for real estate in China and will be strong during coming years, more so during 2008. Moreover, China is opening up and its economy is booming. Chi8nese middle class is also on swelling. All this bodes well for real estate in China.

Two major areas where REITs are going to be lucrative are hotels and resorts. So investors may do well investing in these REITs. According to Beijing Tourism Bureau, there will be 110 new hotels coming up for accommodating about 550,000 guests during Beijing Olympics.

Beijing and Shanghai REITs may provide opportunities for quick bucks. One can do good even in the long run.

One needs to be clear about investment objectives in China REITs. For short run profits, Beijing Olympics provides a good outlet for excellent returns. These may continue to be so even in the long run though at a reduced rate.

While investing in Chinese markets, one has to be careful about certain conditions which are peculiar to China only. For example it is still not considered a transparent country. Its laws are obscure and complex. There are many language and cultural barriers. In view of these problems, it might be advisable to invest in Hong Kong or Singapore REITs which have a stake in real estate of mainland China. These are more open and subject to international law.

International investing provides a mechanism for diversification and a hedge against US recession. Therefore, China and other Asian countries need to be given serious attention.

All of these markets need to be researched and explored.

Travel experiences: Last impressions of China – Part 1

The initial impression of a first time traveler to Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China and, with Shanghai and Hong Kong, one of the country’s world class cities, will be the large, new airport and the six lane, ultramodern toll highway to the city’s center. Anyone expecting a small, ramshackle airport and narrow dirt road from the airport lined by water buffalo will be greatly surprised! This initial impression should prepare the traveler to discover a Beijing – and China – with one foot still firmly planted in its long, exotic past and, building on its hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics, another foot in a busy, entrepreneurial and prosperous future.

Beijing is home to 14 million ‘official’ residents and another 3 million whom the city government describes as floating’, i.e., moving around looking for work and residence. In riding a tour bus around the city, one will think each of the city’s residents is driving or walking past the bus! The three most visited attractions in Beijing are Tian’anmen Square and the adjacent Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and sections of the Great Wall near enough to the city for tourist visits.

The Square is one of the largest open air plazas in the world at 4 million square feet and is capable of holding one million people! On the beautiful day we visited, it was colorfully filled – but far from overflow’! – with foreign and Chinese tourists. Most readers will remember the thrilling images from Tian’anmen in spring 1989: the Statue of Liberty crafted by Chinese students to express their desire for more democracy and the single courageous student, bags in hand, who faced down tanks sent to disperse the protesters. Our guide pointed out the grassy area where the statue was placed and the general area where the student stood before the tanks. In contrast to the expression in 1989 of a desire for more freedom, Mao Tse Tung, whom we know to be a mass murderer, is still revered, at least, for his establishing a China free of foreign domination. His tomb is located in Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall on the south side of the Square and Chinese citizens stand in long, respectful lines waiting to view his body in a crystal coffin.

The Great Hall of the People is located on the west side of the Square and the building housing the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution with an inexpensive admission charge lies on the east. A large photograph of a 56 year old Mao is placed