Uncooperative Contemporaries: The 2000 Shanghai Biennale and Its Satellites
Afterall's eleventh volume in the Exhibition Histories series, titled 'Uncooperative Contemporaries', centers on the 2000 Shanghai Biennale, which featured the satellite exhibitions 'Fuck Off' and 'Useful Life'. Unlike previous unofficial exhibitions, this Biennale was organized by the Shanghai Art Museum, aiming to establish China as a key player in the global art scene, showcasing an equal representation of Chinese and international artists. Curators included Hou Hanru, Zhang Qing, Li Xu, and Toshio Shimizu. 'Fuck Off', co-curated by Ai Weiwei and Feng Boyi, presented 47 artists, such as Ding Yi and Cao Fei, challenging state and market influences. 'Useful Life' highlighted works by Xu Zhen and Yang Fudong. The volume features essays from Jane DeBevoise, Mia Yu, and Lee Weng Choy, discussing globalization and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Key facts
- The 2000 Shanghai Biennale was the first state-organized contemporary art biennial in China.
- Satellite exhibition 'Fuck Off' was co-curated by Ai Weiwei and Feng Boyi.
- 'Useful Life' featured Xu Zhen, Yang Fudong, and Yang Zhenzhong.
- The Biennale included equal numbers of Chinese and international artists.
- ShanghART became the first Chinese gallery at Art Basel in 2000.
- The volume is part of Afterall's Exhibition Histories series.
- Essays cover art market development, curatorial approaches, and regional contexts.
- The book reflects on globalization's trajectory and the impact of the pandemic.
Entities
Artists
- John Tain
- Xiao Lu
- Ai Weiwei
- Feng Boyi
- Ding Yi
- Cao Fei
- Song Tao
- Ji Weiyu
- Birdhead
- Zhu Yu
- Xu Zhen
- Yang Fudong
- Yang Zhenzhong
- Zhou Tiehai
- Jane DeBevoise
- Mia Yu
- Lee Weng Choy
- Toshio Shimizu
- Hou Hanru
- Zhang Qing
- Li Xu
- Xu Hong
- Zhou Zixi
- Anthony Yung
- Liu Ding
- Carol Yinghua Lu
- C.J.W.-L. Wee
Institutions
- Afterall
- National Art Museum of China
- Shanghai Art Museum
- ShanghART
- Art Basel
- Eastlink Gallery
- Guggenheim Museum
- OCAT Institute
- Chambers Fine Art
- Timezone 8 Limited
- New Art Media Limited
- Institute of International Visual Arts
- Hubei Fine Arts Publishing House
- Artist Publishing
- David and Alfred Smart Art Museum
- Phaidon
- John Wiley & Sons
- University of California Press
- New York University
- Asia Art Archive
- Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College
- Tai Kwun Contemporary
- Shanghai Biennale
Locations
- China
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- National Art Gallery, Beijing
- National Art Museum of China, Beijing
- Beijing East Village
- Shanghai Art Museum
- Switzerland
- Gwangju
- Taipei
- Yokohama
- Guangzhou
- Asia Pacific
- Havana
- Paris
- Hong Kong
- Chiang Mai