A new ‘Summer Art Exhibition’ at Langham Place Beijing Capital Airport unveils contemporary impressions on the 2000-year old Chinese tradition of landscape painting.

 

The only hotel in the capital with its own 24-hour Art Gallery is showcasing the latest works by six exciting young artists on the outdoor theme representing the origins of Chinese art.

 

“For over 2,000 years, China’s best artists have been painting their natural landscapes. Our summer show now focuses on a modern take on the traditional Chinese subject of the great outdoors,” says General Manager of Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport, Mark Francis.

 

Headlining the three-month exhibition is Wan Taifeng, brightening up China’s traditional landscapes and architecture in bold colours of summery baby pinks and blues.

 

Ancient pavilions and temple roofs recall a quintessentially Chinese cityscape now rare in modern China. Still lakes, willow trees and flying cranes – all loaded with Chinese traditional meaning – resemble poorly-exposed negatives from a time gone by.

 

Zhou Zhitao examines classical Shanshui (Mountains and Water), the most traditional of all Chinese painting styles.

 

“He mixes traditional subject matter with a modern twist, using oil paint on canvas rather than the traditional ink on paper, and with a strong bold modern blue tone,” said Mr. Francis. “These vivid images give a respectful nod to tradition but bring it firmly into the 21st century with a very contemporary feel.”

 

However, Zhou Zhitao insists that, rather than re-visiting tradition, his blue and white works borrow from Shanshui to explore his own language. “I collect blue and white porcelain, and the colours are a symbol of Chinese culture,” he explains. “This porcelain was often sold to the west, so these colours also represent the east and west intertwined.”

 

Popular young artist Cheng Yi exhibits his cool, calm ‘Likeness of Water’ series of buildings reflected in water. “A perfect antidote to the summer heat, they illustrate traditional with a modern abstraction,” said Mr. Francis.

 

For Cheng Yi, the series recalls an old Chinese saying: ‘The greatest benevolence is like water’. He explains: “Every time I sit beside a lotus pond watching the water and fish, I feel inner peace. In a time with so much going on, I wonder if we could possibly transform into a state like water: natural, beautiful and peaceful.”

 

Fan Jia’s impressions of vast open skies with fragile branches and weeds held by human hands, roots and branches growing from a tower are in more contemporary style with a single message: when left alone, earth, nature and the landscape will conquer all.

 

Beyond the dedicated gallery, Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport features a collection of more than 400 canvases, sculptures and art installations on public display throughout the hotel.

 

ART MENU COMPLEMENTS SUMMER EXHIBITION

 

An ‘Art Menu’ inspired by the exhibition is also being served at Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport.

 

Grilled Watermelon Salad with warm goat cheese and vine ripe tomatoes with dressed with Sangria reduction is styled like a garden around a red watermelon square.

 

Golden Fish-Shaped Prawn Dumplings resembles goldfish swimming in a pool – of creamy Spinach soup.

 

Green Lime and Basil Sorbet is inspired by the tradition of blue and white porcelain, evoking cool and peaceful feelings.

 

Oven Roasted Wagyu Tenderloin sits on a bed of powerful red beetroot purée as a symbol of China; and a fruit dessert on a tree rekindles childhood summer countryside memories.

 

Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport is situated right next to Beijing Capital International Airport’s iconic Sir Norman Foster-designed Terminal 3. The first ‘airport lifestyle hotel’ features DJs in the lobby, loft-style apartments and a 24-hour high-tech environment for work and play in its 372 rooms, two-storey Club L lounge, five exciting restaurants and bars – and leading Art Gallery.

 

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For more information on Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport visit: beijingairport.langhamplacehotels.com

Issued by Grebstad Hicks Communications on behalf of Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport

For more information or high resolution images, please contact:

 

 

Grebstad Hicks Communications Beijing
Ms. Rhoda Adams   rhoda.adams@ghcasia.com

Tel: +86 10 65 289 983

 

Grebstad Hicks Communications Hong Kong

Ms. Katy Chan       katy.chan@ghcasia.com

Tel:  + 852 28100532

 

For direct hotel media enquiries, please contact:

 

Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport

Director of Communications

Jessica Wang

T: + 86 10 6457 5555

M: + 86 137 1780 2061

F: + 86 10 6457 7755

E: jessica.wang@langhamhotels.com

About Langham Hotels International & Its Affiliates

 

Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when The Langham in London originally opened as Europe’s first Grand Hotel.  For over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality.  Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.

 

The group is pursuing an aggressive portfolio growth strategy using its distinctive brands and affiliate – The Langham, Langham Place and Eaton. Currently 24 hotels, including affiliates, are open or in the pipeline across four continents.

 

The Langham is where guests can enjoy service with poise and be enchanted by our innovation and traditions while Langham Place, the fun sibling of The Langham, is about living the 21st century through design, technology and attitude, epitomising stimulating and artistic hospitality.

 

Eaton, a premium affiliate brand, aims to surprise and delight our guests with a value-for-money proposition that delivers a stylish, modern level of comfort with spirited, can-do service.

 

Langham Hotels International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings (Stock Code: 0041) which was founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

 

Reservations for Langham hotels can be made by logging onto langhamhotels.com or for Eaton Hotels log onto eatonhotels.com.