City guide: Beijing
Icons in calligraphy
With his decades-long research on Buddhism, 58-year-old artist Gan Quan will hold a calligraphy exhibition that features elements of the religion. As the director of China Calligraphy Art Institute's Shanghai branch, he uses calligraphy to portray his understanding of Buddhism. Born in Shanghai, he studied root carving as a youngster and now combines his understanding of the traditional Chinese art form with calligraphy. The ongoing show is of Gan's artworks during the past three years.
10 am-5 pm, Jan 27-Feb 10. Beijing Yong Art Center, 2F Beijing Renmei Plaza, 7 Beixinqiao Nanxiang, Dongcheng district. 010-6478-7469
Jade in art
Liu Xiaodong's Hotan Project shows the process of jade production in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region through art works. On display are oil paintings, documentaries, photos, diaries and sketches created by the artist during his two-month trip to Hotan, which is known for its jade production. Liu observed and depicted jade miners and their lives in various media to reflect on the contradictions and conflicts between a rising local economy and traditional ways of life.
9 am-5 pm, until Feb 23. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang district. 010-5876-0600
Orchid show
The 9th Beijing orchid show features two halls displaying various varieties of orchids and the country's unique orchard culture. The greenhouse hall will show off tropical orchids; while those presented at the science and technology hall are orchids found only in China.
7 am-5 pm, Feb 3-24. Beijing Botanical Garden, Wofosi Road, Haidian district. 010-6259-1561
