M WOODS Conversations

A Dialogue on Painting：Liu Wei & Luc Tuymans
Sunday, November 4, 2018, 14:00-16:00
Moderated by Colin Chinnery


M WOODS is honored to bring two legendary artists into conversation ahead of a groundbreaking dual exhibition to be held at M WOODS in 2020. Antwerp-based Luc Tuymans and Beijing-based Liu Wei have known each other personally for over twelve years, and were aware of each others’ painting practices for years before this. Both artists are internationally renowned as painters whose works articulate the social environment of their times, with an at times subtle, but ever-present, power. They are held in the highest regard as academic artists, whose respective devotion to the medium of paint has endured for decades.

The exhibition at M WOODS is the product of a friendship and dialogue held over the years, and will be curated by Colin Chinnery, who was also present when the original idea was conceived. Moderated by Chinnery, the discussion will traverse the parallel trajectories of their painting careers, how the idea for the exhibition was brought about, social and political changes they have witnessed and how these have influenced their work, and finally touch on the content of their exhibition, opening in Autumn 2020.

The talk is part of M MEASURES, the education program of M WOODS, and is free to the public. Booking via WeChat is necessary as seats are limited.



M MEASURES: Alternate Dimensions
Wednesday, November 15, 3:00 - 4:30
Room 401, Third study building of Peking University



From Uterus Man to LuYang Delusional Mandala, to her latest work Electromagnetic Brainology, Lu Yang's refreshing sense of absurd humor challenges accepted notions of contemporary art. Citing knowledge gleaned from the realms of neurology and biology, her works also reflect an ongoing interest in spirituality as a state of being pursued through different forms of religion and creative expression. On the occasion of Lu Yang's solo exhibition Encephalon Heaven, M WOODS invites you to join us for a conversation between the artist and science fiction writer Chen Qiufan hosted at Peking University. Together the two address topics of science and new media related to their works.




M MEASURES Salon: Art After the Fracture
Sunday, October 30, 2016, 7pm



M WOODS Museum is delighted to partner with OWSpace to present Art After the Fracture, a discussion of American culture following World War II. The renowned set of speakers will offer their insights on the spirit of art in North America from the 1950s onwards, in light of the economic, political and emotional state of a society reacting to the horrors of war.

Encompassing literature, art, cinema, and music, the discussion will touch on some of the many movements that developed during this raw and immensely creative moment. Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop Art, and Post-Modernism rose out of these uncertain times, changing the direction of Western art history and the way we understand contemporary art today.

The discussion aims to illuminate a moment in history, and will give context to the environment in which Andy Warhol was actively making work. Warhol is inextricably linked to this period in American culture, both contributing to and drawing from it in producing his work. The movement towards art being for everyone, taking it from high culture and placing it within low or popular culture was pioneered by Warhol, and his experimental methods and social conduct were arguably a product of these post-war times.

The speakers are Xu Zhiyuan, Co-Founder of OWSpace, Ye Ying, Editor-in-Chief of The Art Newspaper China, and internationally-acclaimed artist Qiu Zhijie.

This event has been organized by M WOODS Museum and OWSpace, and presented as part of M MEASURES, the museum’s free education program. Andy Warhol: Contact runs through January 7, 2017 and will be open for viewing before the salon. Tickets are free and available through WeChat.



M MEASURES: Smogfree Panel Discussion
September 29, 2016, 6.30 - 8.30pm



As part of our education program M MEASURES, we present a panel discussion in partnership with Studio Roosegaarde. Hosted on the occasion of Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde’s Smogfree project opening closeby to M WOODS at 751D, the event aims to open up conversation about creative solutions to air quality, and examples of artist-led initiatives.

M WOODS is delighted to host this event as we have pledged to be the museum with the cleanest air in China, with the help of our chief sponsor, LIFAair.

Roosegaarde will introduce the Smogfree project, followed by a presentation from Zhang Wendong of LIFAair, and artists Brendan Warford and Matt Hope. The panel will be moderated by Professor Yang Dongjiang from Tsinghua University. The discussion will then be opened up to the audience for questions, bringing local artists, designers and makers to share and exchange new smog solutions for the cities of tomorrow.

Tickets are free and can be booked through WeChat.