Chinese contemporary art shines at Havana Biennial

A themed exhibition of 10 Chinese artists' works opened in Havana, Cuba on Saturday night as part of the 13th Havana Biennial, the first of its kind since the biennial art event was launched in 1984.

With the theme of "Facing the Future," the exhibition comprises 20 works including paintings, videos, installations and sculptures in metal and ceramics.

"This time, the works created by Chinese artists will show us from different angles the vitality and new trends of modern art, while transmitting the charm of our culture," said Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Chen Xi at the opening ceremony.

For the exhibition, Zhang Siyong, curator of the exhibition, said they have prepared different materials, languages and styles.

Zhang told Xinhua that the exhibition aims to reveal to the Cuban public the diversity of emerging Chinese modern art that relies on the most innovative techniques and trends worldwide in a harmonious dialogue with the best of its tradition.

Attending the ceremony, Cuban Deputy Minister of Culture Fernando Leon said this collective exhibition was a significant moment of the Havana Biennial.

"The proposals are very interesting because of the way they approach modern art, a very unique form that uses all the techniques and does not ignore tradition, rather it reuses it and gives it new meanings," he said.

Chinese artist Li Hongbo surprised the audience with his interpretations of paper.

"Paper is the most common material in our lives, but every morphological evolution of paper has had a great impact on us," Li told Xinhua. "This work uses paper as a material to express language, volume and visual perception of sculpture and space."

This year's Havana Biennial has attracted more than 300 artists from 52 countries. It will continue until May 12.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)