Rauschenberg in China and the 'Yuanfen' of this summer blockbuster

After nearly twelve months of preparation, the Robert Rauschenberg in China exhibition has finally arrived inside the gates of one of China's most recognizable museums, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing.[Photo by Nick Bedard/chinadaily.com.cn]

It's finally here.

After nearly twelve months of preparation, the Robert Rauschenberg in China exhibition has finally arrived inside the gates of one of China's most recognizable museums, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing.

But Rauschenberg in China didn’t start twelve months ago, in fact, the show’s opening day (June 12th) is a historical day for Rauschenberg in China. It was on this day, 35 years ago, that Rauschenberg first came to China where he would produce his color photographs titled Study for Chinese Summerhall that will be selectively shown at UCCA’s exhibition.

Phil Tinari, director of UCCA, disregards the irony behind this and replaces it instead with “Yuanfen”, a Chinese word describing a faithful coincidence.

“Everything happens for a reason,” smiles Tinari as he shuffles through some last minute paper work at his second floor office inside UCCA.

“It’s always very exciting to see the show come together, to see the work on the wall, and to put all the finishing touches on the exhibition. Now we are just getting everything ready to have all of Beijing come see the show over the summer.”

UCCA expects a big number of visitors coming through UCCA’s great hall to see the 2016 summer art blockbuster that is Rauschenberg in China that runs from June 12 to August 21. In 1985, more than 300,000 visitors saw Rauschenberg’s ROCI-China show in Beijing.