Art imitating life, and vice versa

Frustratingly, people tend to label behavior they don't understand as "performance art". In 2013, a 28-year-old man appeared naked on the streets of Beijing a number of times late at night, either running or riding a motorbike, and carrying an inflatable sex doll or a crucifix.

Although the man, Li Binyuan, is a graduate of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, he later explained that he had been under great pressure at the time the acts were committed, and his weird behavior was just a way of venting his confusion and desperation. He emphasized that his actions had nothing to do with art, but many Internet commentators still believe that Li's action were a form of performance art, and call him "the naked running guy".

Misunderstandings of this nature occur because traditionally there have been few channels to help Chinese people gain exposure to contemporary art, so their knowledge and appreciation are limited, according to Hang.

So far, the visitors to Zhou's exhibition have tended to be art students, the media, and middle-aged men.

A 20-year-old art student surnamed Wang, who decided to visit when he found himself near the gallery, said he found the setting - a girl's bedroom filled with objects that are traditionally soft and fluffy, but are in this case hard and unyielding - interesting. He admitted he didn't understand what the artist is trying to say, because he knows little about her background or that of the exhibition, and he feels that context is essential to understanding.

A 40-something man said he'd visited the exhibition out of curiosity after reading about it online. The man, who declined to disclose his name or occupation, said he thought the exhibition was good, even though he couldn't explain why. Then, looking embarrassed, he left in a hurry.