Beijing’s Guardian Art Center is now the stage for a comprehensive retrospective, “Yves Klein – Painter of Space,” showcasing the works of pioneering French artist, Yves Klein. Simultaneously, the Center is also hosting an exhibition on the works of acclaimed British architecture firm, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).
The Klein retrospective, marking his first in China, takes visitors on an extensive journey through his artistic career from 1954 to 1962. It features a broad collection of over 60 works, including drawings, films, and photographs, representing Klein’s diverse range of techniques. With nine sections, the exhibition traces Klein’s trajectory from his first color monochrome paintings, his renowned blue Monochromes, Sponges sculptures and reliefs, and the Anthropometries, to his Monogolds and his final experiments with natural elements such as fire, air, and water. The event, running until October 3, is part of the 17th edition of the Croisements Festival, a cultural event fostering cultural exchanges between China and France.
Born in Nice in 1928, Klein embarked on his artistic journey in 1954 and became a leading figure in action art and the immaterial practices of contemporary art. He is famously known for creating the iconic “International Klein Blue,” using blue as a symbol to capture the intangible and infinite. Klein’s life was tragically cut short due to a heart attack in 1962, at the age of 34.
In a separate exhibition, the Guardian Art Center showcases the works of Zaha Hadid Architects, titled “The New World.” This exhibit features a collection of the firm’s architectural masterpieces from around the world, spanning 40 years since its inception. Also on display are ZHA’s projects in China, including the Guangzhou Opera House, Beijing Leeza SOHO, and the Beijing Daxing International Airport.
The exhibition highlights ZHA’s innovative approach to architecture, blending digital design, robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality into their designs. The firm’s contribution to reducing carbon emissions, recognized by the United Nations and environmental protection organizations, is also highlighted. British Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson, expressed hope for continued collaboration between the UK and China in addressing climate and environmental changes at the opening ceremony. The exhibition will run until October 3.
Zaha Hadid Architects, founded by the late esteemed architect Zaha Hadid in 1979, boasts a portfolio featuring significant projects such as the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Recently, the firm received a 2023 World Architecture Community Award for their design of the new BEEAH Headquarters in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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