What's on

Lacquer world

The use of natural lacquer to color wares in China dates back to the Xia Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC). The artistry of lacquerware reached a climax during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, when various delicate techniques were developed to yield vibrant finishes.

Shanxi province is home to several techniques of lacquer art. An exhibition at the Chinese Traditional Cultural Museum highlights three such techniques, all listed as representatives of State-level intangible cultural heritage.

One technique originated in Pingyao county, Jinzhong city, Shanxi, where artisans would create luster by rubbing the surface with their palms. The second type presented delicate encircling and cloud patterns, unique to the wares from Xinjiang county, Yuncheng city, Shanxi. The third technique embedded thin seashells to form patterns, originated in Jishan county, Yuncheng.

Also on show are modern lacquer art and furniture as integrated aspects of interior design. The exhibition runs until Aug 11.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 16 Hujing Donglu, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-8799-1766.

Mesmerizing art

South Korean artist Yunchul Kim's exhibition in Beijing, Elliptical Dipole: Visceral Particles and Sorcerous Flows, ushers people into a mysterious, captivating and sometimes confusing world. The installations on display open a complex array of materials that he imagines, in which he toggles between art and science.

He ventures into the realm of physics, where he has found the rules of the universe and nature, presenting his findings in an artistic way to discuss life, death, physical existence and spirit.

Also an electroacoustic music composer, Kim's unique works have been exhibited and won accolades around the world.

The exhibition, curated by Zhang Ga, is being held at 798CUBE until Oct 13.

10 am-7 pm, daily. 798 Art Zone, Jiuxianqiao, Chaoyang district, Beijing.

Real or illusion

Among the portraits of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), there is one titled Is It One or Two, which shows the ruler dressed in a scholar's suit, seated in a study room decorated with objects of culture and arts. On a painted screen behind him hangs an identical portrait, showing only the head and shoulders.

This unique composition of a portrait inside a portrait has aroused discussions among modern scholars and historians, about the intentions of the emperor. Some believe the second portrait inside was viewed by the emperor as a representation of himself to reinforce the message regarding his dignity and authoritative power.

The distinctive aesthetics and philosophical perspective of this painting, as well as its underlying messages, have inspired Yang Zi to curate Two Sides of One Coin: Reflections and Transformations, now displayed at the Taikang Art Museum. The exhibition, until July 31, gathers the works of 15 artists at home and from abroad, which also examine people's varied understandings of their own images and social recognition.

10 am-5:30 pm, closed on Mondays. Building 1, 16 Jinghui Jie, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6104-5886.