The Opposite House is pleased to present the themed sculpture exhibition 'Lofty Mountain and Flowing Water' by Shaanxi artist Liu Ruowang in the hotel's atrium until 30th June, 2013.

Liu Ruowang named his work 'Lofty Mountain and Flowing Water' from the story of ‹Lie Zi›-a Daoist philosophy text. The story was used as a metaphor for finding a like-minded soul. Liu uses his sculptures to show his respect for the
Chinese traditional spirit and to express his inner feelings in a rapidly developing society.

Liu Ruowang grew up with his grandfather's story-telling of 'The Three Kingdoms' and 'Journey to the West'. He worshipped the heroes from these stories and started painting the characters from a young age. Later, he portrayed his thinking about history and respect for the Chinese spirit into his sculptures. His works have various forms of expression, but are all full of virile energy, masculine heroic spirit and perseverance. In his use of materials and posture of his figures, Liu preserves an ordinary and unaffected simplicity. His bronze figures are not in complicated poses or making exaggerated gestures, but rather like Chinese classic Buddhist cave art with an upright tranquillity and steadiness. Even the stitching on their clothes is of the simplest style. These methods reveal Liu's knowledge of ordinary people and his belief that heroism comes from the people who created the ordinary history of daily life. He also creates a peaceful scene which reminds modern city people of the beauty of ancient people's life - no hustle and bustle, just sitting together enjoying friendship.

"The scale of Liu Ruowang's art and the interesting composition he has chosen interacts perfectly with our space. The set of modern heroes brings a fresh interpretation of Chinese history to our guests," says Peter Wynne, Area General Manager of Swire Hotels - Beijing.

The Beijing based artist was born in 1977 and earned his degree from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing. His work 'The East is Red' was selected for 'Bright Lights of the Academy' exhibition at CAFA. His solo and group exhibitions have been widely displayed in Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and South Korea.

-Ends-

Curated by

Neng Zhao is one half of Culture Continuum Consulting Co., Ltd., a consultancy in the Chinese art and intercultural communication spheres. Based in Beijing with offices in Hong Kong and London, Culture Continuum Consulting Co., Ltd. helps individuals and institutions with solutions related to the arts.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Neng Zhao

Tel: +86 139 1075 1506 | zhaoneng2000@gmail.com

About The Opposite House

The Opposite House is located in Sanlitun Village—a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. The hotel's 99 guest studios include 9 spacious suites and a penthouse duplex with a 240sqm roof terrace. More than half of all the studios are over 70sqm and all are strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor.

About Swire Hotels

Swire Hotels has been created to manage intriguing urban hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the United Kingdom, providing a characterful experience for travelers who seek individuality, style and personalised service.

The Opposite House, Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by The Upper House, above Pacific Place, Hong Kong, in October 2009.   

Swire Hotels opened a 345-room lifestyle business hotel called EAST, Hong Kong in Hong Kong's Island East, on 25 January 2010.

Swire Hotels has launched a new collection of locally inspired and stylish hotels in the heart of great British towns and cities called Chapter Hotels. The first hotel in the collection, The Montpellier Chapter, Cheltenham opened in 2010. The second hotel, The Magdalen Chapter, Exeter opened in June 2012.

About Sanlitun Village

Sanlitun Village, located at the junction of the Worker's Stadium North Road and Sanlitun Road in Chaoyang District, Beijing, comprising two sites with a total site area of approximately 53,000 sqm (over 566,000 sq ft), and a total floor area of over 136,000 sqm (approximately 1.47 million sq ft)* spreading over 19 buildings, including a 99-room intriguing urban hotel, The Opposite House.

Built around the bustling hutongs of Sanlitun, taking inspiration from the courtyards and  alleyways of Beijing's past and mixing it with its more worldly cosmopolitan present, the development will include over 200 shops, plus cafes, restaurants and bars, an eight-screen MEGABOX cinema, a unique cultural entertainment space and parking for more than 800 cars. For more details, please go to our official website: www.sanlitunvillage.com

The retail portions of Sanlitun Village are jointly owned by Swire Properties and Gateway China Fund I, with Swire Properties holding an 80% stake and Gateway China Fund I taking the remaining 20%, while the hotel is wholly-owned by Swire Properties.

* Gross floor area excludes car park areas