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Made
In China
2nd DaDoa Live Art Festival 13th – 17th July 2004 Shu Yang the curator of the festival asked Andre Stitt director of TRACE to select 3 Welsh artists to create performances for the event. The event took place in the new Beijing business development are of Jianwai SOHO. The festival featured artists from the UK along with contemporary Chinese performance and work from South East Asia. Andre Stitt , Phil Babot, Simon Mitchell and Matt Cook produced new performances which were supported by Wales Arts International. Shu Yang took great risks in presenting performance art in Beijing. Although there is a thriving underground arts culture many of the subjects articulated by contemporary Chinese performance artists are taboo. This was evident during the festival which was closed down by the authorities by the second day. However after negotiation the festival was allowed to continue under strict censorship guidelines. No nudity, no blood and no political subject matter. These elements were used as material for the Welsh artists work and so performances were programmed for the very end of the festival thereby thwarting attempts at closing the event. The organisers supported the work and were philosophical about the outcome. Shu Yang pointing out that he had spent many times in Police stations or under duress and was still willing to support this art. Indeed there was much debate about activities throughout South east Asia under repressive regimes and circumstances. Many artist and curators who attended the DaDaoa Festival felt that performance art could help create the inevitable change. Andre Stitt “Made in China’ |
