Imperfect picture

The show Anselm Kiefer in China comes into media spotlight even before its opening on Saturday, because the German artist whose works are on show, accused the organizers of excluding him from the process. CHEN YAN/CHINA DAILY

The show's venue also changed a few times. Baijiahu Art Museum in Nanjing was previously expected to be the first stop of the touring show. It wasn't until several months ago that the art museum at the Central Academy of Fine Arts signed up with the Bell Art Center to hold the first show in Beijing.

Wang Jun, a senior partner with the Yingke Law Firm, told Artron, a Beijing-based website on art news, that according to China's copyright law and Germany's copyright law, an exhibition right belongs to the owner of the original copy (of an artwork).

But Kiefer didn't elaborate on the reasons behind his refusal to back the show.

Chinese artist Lin Tianmiao wrote on her WeChat account that she once visited Kiefer in Paris and that he was "very serious" about holding his own solo show in China, and that he sent his wife to China to choose a venue.

Speaking of Kiefer's protest, Wang Huangsheng called it "a pity".

Kiefer is known for his large pieces in clay, lead, ash and dried plants. His work To the Unknown Painter was sold for a record $3.6 million at Christie's in New York in 2011.

After Beijing, the show is scheduled to tour Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Contact the writer at dengzhangyu@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

9:30 am-5:30 pm, through Jan 8. Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum, 8 Huajiadi South Street, Wangjing, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6477-1575.