“2021青岛国际当代艺术展”明日开幕，著名艺术家潘士强受邀参展

当代艺术是这样在青岛“火爆”起来的

2020年，一个特殊的年份，我在第三届青岛国际当代艺术展上听到了这样一件事：一位名叫王蕾的女士，原是青岛啤酒集团有限公司的一名职工，后来辞职创建了自己的画廊，还经营民宿。同许多青岛人一样，她对当代艺术经历了从陌生到喜爱的过程。凭借着自己的热忱和能力，她成了当代艺术的推广人，邀请多位当代艺术名家在画廊及其他公共场所举办系列讲座，向大众普及当代艺术知识，并持续在网上直播。她是青岛众多喜爱当代艺术的普通大众中的一员，她的推广举措也是青岛国际当代艺术展在全社会所产生的连锁效应的缩影。

如同青岛是国际上知名度最高的中国城市之一，青岛的当代艺术也在悄然兴起，成为岛城一张新的城市名片。青岛国际当代艺术展迄今已举办四届，一届比一届有创意，一届比一届火爆。它不仅吸引了国内越来越多艺术家的关注，也得到了国外众多艺术家的青睐。2021年，有近20个国家和地区的艺术家的作品汇集展览，创下了此项展事的新高。更可喜的是，当代艺术在改变着人们传统观念和认知的同时，已融入青岛城市发展和人们生活的方方面面。青岛重视与发展当代艺术已不是一个要不要的选择题，而是一个没有争议的必答题。

青岛当代艺术的兴起已成为一种现象级的“现象”。这种现象绝不是单纯的艺术表象，而是一个城市文化积淀、社会进步、大众需求的综合反映。艺术属于文化的范畴，它因时代而生，随时代而行，从某种意义上讲，艺术的发展对社会的进步又起着某种引领、催化和推动作用。当代艺术简而言之就是当下的艺术，它涵盖了艺术的各个门类，渗透于城市建设与人们生活的方方面面，与享受着现代文明成果的每个人都息息相关。我们不可想象，一个现代化的城市，如果当代艺术缺席，这座城市将会是怎样的暗淡无光；一个生活在当下的现代人，如果对当代艺术漠视与抗拒，将是多么的无趣与乏味。由此可以说，当代艺术所具有的传承历史、满足当下、昭示未来的独特功能，既是时代赋予的特殊使命，也是一个城市现代化进程和人们文明素养程度的标志之一。我们在拥抱当代艺术的同时，也在拥抱着当代文明；我们在受到当代艺术熏陶的同时，也在汲取着艺术所给予的精神滋养。

当代艺术在青岛有着丰厚的生存土壤。青岛是一个既年轻又古老的地方，说她年轻，是因为她建置只有一百余年；说她古老，是因为她所辖的地区，在距今8500-7500年前后中华民族重要族源之一的东夷族就在这里生存繁衍，曾创造了丰富多彩、举世闻名的大汶口文化、龙山文化和东岳石文化。与山东长期的封闭自守不同，青岛又是一个开放度、包容度和融合度较高的城市。近代青岛的市区在建筑史上可谓独树一帜，集有二十多个国家的建筑风格，享有“万国建筑博览会”之美誉，在国际上又被称为“东方的瑞士”“亚洲的日内瓦”。现代的青岛作为中国首批沿海开放城市，更加焕发出其特有的魅力和光彩。经济的腾飞、文化的繁荣、生态的优美、人工智能化城市的打造，使这座城市处处都散发着时尚与现代化的气息。历史的遗存、现代化的感召、中西合璧的融合，使青岛人渐渐养成了一种开放包容的态度，对当代艺术的接纳和喜爱既是水到渠成，也是现实需求。所有这些都是青岛当代艺术能在短短几年内风声水起、一枝独秀的坚实基础。

四年打造出一个当代艺术展品牌，这的确是一个不可想象的结果，实际是一个系统化、全方位的联动机制使然。山东省美术家协会当代艺术委员会成立于2016年下半年，当年就举办了轰动一时的山东国际当代艺术展。那一年，我去青岛与市文化艺术界联合会的主要领导谈起组建青岛当代艺术委员会的相关事宜，立刻达成共识，几个月后建立起省内第一个市级当代艺术委员会，年内就举办了首届青岛国际当代艺术展，这一办就是四届。在资金有限的情况下，青岛市文化艺术界联合会每年拿出近一半的活动经费持续加大对当代艺术展的扶持，这反映了领导者的境界与远见，也为青岛国际当代艺术展的连续举办奠定了基础。当代艺术展从第二届开始在青岛纺织谷的美术馆落地生根。这里原是1902年建厂的纺织厂，如今已成为集文化产业、智能化科技展示等为一体的大型综合体。纺织谷的董事长闫勇先生最先看到了当代艺术展的价值，主动张开双臂将展览承接到“1902美术馆”。2021年，纺织谷又投入巨资对美术馆的内外设施、环境进行了改造、完善，使其达到了接纳更高水平艺术展的硬件标准。此后，一批有识企业也加入扶持艺术展的行列，这使得艺术展有了足够的底气。一个由政府倡导、企业加入、民众参与的艺术展就这样形成了。这是多位一体的联动，并很快成为一种机制。纺织谷所在的青岛市市北区政府从经济、文化、旅游等层面审视当代艺术展，将其列入政府的主要文化品牌项目，从资金、组织协调等方面予以重点扶持。与此同时，青岛的国际时尚城建设被列入政府实施战略，当代艺术展也自然而然占据了重要一席。由此可见，青岛国际当代艺术展品牌的形成绝非偶然，它是上下左右共同发力、体系的强力支撑、机制的可靠保障的结果。

事在人为，有志者事竟成。说到青岛国际当代艺术展，不能不提到一个人和他的团队。林建业——青岛美术家协会副主席兼当代艺术委员会主任，一个对艺术一腔热血、对事业满腔抱负的艺术家。他以自己的人格、激情、智慧、能量等将十几位志同道合的伙伴组织起来，抱团做事，磨合出了一支颇具专业水准的团队。从艺术展的创意、策划、推介到布展等，大家分工明确，协调一致，只讲付出，不求获取，以不给展览留缺憾、不给自己留遗憾的使命感和责任感，心劲十足，将一切都做的有声有色，使每一届展览都精彩无限，大获成功，完全超出了人们的预期。一个个不眠的夜晚，一张张疲惫的面容，不知牺牲了多少个节假日，放弃了多少与家人团聚的机会，甚至顾不上自己的艺术创作。林建业和他的伙伴们用事实印证了这样一个道理：只要甘于奉献，用心做事，把大家的事、社会的事看得比自己的事更重要，就没有做不成、做不好的事。我作为这项展事的主办方代表之一，见证了这项具有开创性大展的全程，深为伙伴们的艰辛付出与出色工作而感动，也为展览的盛况和影响力而倍受鼓舞，其展现出的三个鲜明特征，更让我们有理由对其未来的发展前景充满了期待。这是因为它不仅是青岛的，也是山东的、中国的乃至世界的。

特征之一：高起点，大视野，立足于当代艺术发展的前沿高地。当代艺术是新兴的艺术，与时代共呼吸。在工业化、城市化、全球化的大背景下，只有占据高地，才能开阔视野，以高起点赢得发展先机。青岛国际当代艺术展从创立之初就拒绝平庸，从时代主题与艺术的前瞻性出发，将表现城市化背景下的人文、生态以及城市精神与人、生命、自然、环境的关系作为创意主题，引导艺术家们既要有全球维度的大视野、大格局，又要立足本土，关注现实，以饱满的激情、深沉的思考创作出既契合时代主流文化，又有独特视觉表现的艺术作品。毫无疑问，作品的品质将直接决定展览的水平，这对于展览的效果以及由此产生的影响力，都会起到一种持久的风向标作用。青岛国际当代艺术展连续举办四届，已由最初的省市本土艺术家唱主角，演变成国内三十几个省区市艺术家主动加入。2021年近20个国家和地区的艺术家的加盟，使展览的国际化和艺术水准都有了质的飞跃。尤为可喜的是，由于启动了当代艺术青年新锐计划，展出的作品中，中青年艺术家的数量占据了三分之二以上。中青年艺术家是当代艺术创作的主体，他们的创作是当代艺术兴盛不衰的源泉所在。

特征之二：创新模式，持续发力，打造具有区域特色的当代艺术展品牌。青岛国际当代艺术展的举办模式与许多展览不同，它既不是由政府一手包办，也不是由企业独家承揽，而是由艺术专业机构，即：省区市当代艺术委员会共同主办，具有相对的独立性与自主性，有利于突出展览的专业和学术地位，减少了很多中间环节，灵活而高效。这样就形成了专业机构做专业事、市区两级政府扶持、企业踊跃参与、社会各界帮忙的运行模式。正所谓“众人拾柴火焰高”，青岛国际当代艺术展的举办模式很有参考价值。 

咬定青山不放松，一年一届的青岛国际当代艺术展以其持续不断发力的态势，助推和催生这一展览品牌的形成。每一届的展览都不是上一届的重复，一届有一届新的创意与主题、新的展示方式与形态。2021年的展览主题为“扬帆·时尚”，时尚既是当代艺术的气质，也展现这座岛城的非凡气度。2020年11月，第四次区域全面经济伙伴关系协定（RCEP）领导人会议召开。青岛作为协定确立的经贸合作先行创新实验基地，迎来了新的更大的发展机遇。2021年，第四届青岛国际当代艺术展确立了“向东看”的新思路，特邀亚洲美术家协会共同策划，实现了东盟十国＋五国艺术家作品的集中展示。这种城市气度与艺术气质的高度融合，恰好体现出当代艺术应有的社会担当与时代深意。 

特征之三：跨区域联动，彰显龙头带动作用，形成区域性联合优势。山东的当代艺术起步较晚，是在全国第三个成立省美术家协会当代艺术委员会的省份，但其发展呈现出较强劲的势头。青岛作为山东改革开放的龙头城市，在省内第一个组建起市级美术家协会当代艺术委员会，紧随其后的烟台、潍坊两市也相继成立了自己的当代艺术委员会。三个市地理位置相距不远，又各有优势和特色，加之这种天然的“盟友”关系，很快便结成了区域性的优势互补、携手共赢的联合体。三个市理念一致，目标相同，共同扛起了当代艺术的大旗。三个市都有各自的当代艺术展，烟台当代艺术委员会还在韩国、意大利举办了当代艺术展。毫无疑问，青岛的当代艺术展在其中扮演了龙头的角色，起到了标杆示范作用。青岛主动与烟台、潍坊艺术委员会建立起互利共赢机制，在举办展览、学术交流、人员往来等方面加大联合行动的力度，每逢举办活动，三个市都遥相呼应，紧密合作，形成了山东当代艺术发展过程中一个独特而亮眼的现象。

最后，我想再向大家介绍一位名叫孟宪伟的能人。十年前，我们曾有缘围绕当代艺术的话题进行过一次长谈，从那之后，彼此再也没有见过面。而就在不久前，我得到了一个确切的消息：一座建筑面积17000平方米的现代化美术馆——西海美术馆正式在青岛黄金西海岸落成开馆。它的创建者就是孟宪伟先生。有趣的是，西海美术馆开馆后举办的第一个展览就是当代艺术展。这是孟宪伟的选择，也是这个时代的选择。我禁不住暗想，这或许是一种预示：上苍赐予了青岛美丽、时尚与富饶，也赐予了青岛当代艺术发展以丰厚的土壤。青岛国际当代艺术展海阔天空正扬帆，它的明天一定会更加灿烂！（潘士强  2021年9月写于烟台）               

How Contemporary Art Goes Viral in Qingdao 

In 2020, I heard the following story at the 3rd Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition. A lady named Wang Lei, who used to work at Tsingtao Brewery Group, resigned from the company and set up a gallery and ran a homestay hotel. Like many Qingdao natives, she was once a total stranger to contemporary art but gradually grew into a big fan of it. With passion and ability, she has become a promoter of contemporary art. She has not only invited several famous contemporary artists to give lectures at the art gallery and other public spaces, but also popularized the knowledge of contemporary art among the public through online livestreaming. She is one of the contemporary art lovers in Qingdao and her promotion activities are also a fine example of the continuous influence of Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition in the society.

With the rapid development of Qingdao in recent years, contemporary art is emerging in this city as one of its new cultural hallmarks. Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition, which has been held for four sessions, is becoming more creative and popular year by year. It has attracted not only the attention of a growing number of domestic artists, but also the recognition of a large number of international artists. In 2021, the artworks in the exhibition are from nearly 20 countries and regions, setting a new record in the number of exhibits. More to my pleasure, contemporary art, while playing a role in transforming people's conventional thinking and perception, is integrated into all aspects of the city's development and the people's lives. To develop contemporary art is not a choice. It is something the city is bound to do.

The phenomenal rise of contemporary art in Qingdao goes beyond a pure art expression, and reflects the cultural accumulation, social progress and people's needs coming altogether. Art is born of and evolving with the times. In some sense, the development of art in turn guides, catalyzes and promotes social progress. Contemporary art, or more plainly, the art of today, covers all artistic categories and permeates into every aspect of city construction and people's lives. It is closely connected with everyone who enjoys the fruits of contemporary civilization. It's hard to imagine how lackluster a modernized city would be without contemporary art, and how dull life would be for someone living in the modern society who ignores or rejects contemporary art. Therefore, our times have given contemporary art the unique mission to link the past, the present and the future, and to act as a symbol of modernization and civility. By embracing contemporary art, we are embracing contemporary civilization. Through enjoying contemporary art, we are being nurtured by art.  

Qingdao offers a fertile ground for the growth of contemporary art. As a city that combines antiquity and modernity, Qingdao is young as a city established for only some 100 years, and old as the habitat of Dongyi people who started to live in this area 8500 to 7,500 years ago and created the Dawenkou Culture, Longshan Culture and Yueshi Culture here. Qingdao is an open-minded and inclusive city. With contemporary buildings of exotic styles of over 20 countries, Qingdao is renowned as a “museum of world architectural styles”, “oriental Switzerland”and“Geneva in Asia”, thus claiming a unique status in contemporary architectural history. Qingdao today, as one of the first Chinese cities open to the outside world, is showing new appeal and glamour. The city brims with fashion and modernity with a robust economy, prosperous culture, beautiful eco-environment, and AI-enabled smart city efforts. Living in a place where the fusion of historical heritage and the development of modernization, as well as a combination of Chinese and Western elements, are happening all the time, people in Qingdao have developed a character featuring openness and inclusiveness. It is only natural for them to accept and love contemporary art. With all those factors, a solid foundation has been laid for contemporary art to take off and excel in Qingdao within several years.

The creation of a flagship exhibition of contemporary art in just four years is credited to the joint cooperation and concerted efforts of the peers in the art field from different organizations. Shandong Artists Association founded its Contemporary Art Committee in the latter half of 2016. The first Shandong (International) Contemporary Art Exhibition was held exactly that year and was quite a hit. In January 2017, I went to Qingdao and discussed the feasibility of establishing Qingdao Contemporary Art Committee with the main leaders of Qingdao Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Not long after that, the first municipal-level committee of contemporary art in Shandong was set up, and the 1st Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition was held that year. Now here we have its fourth edition already. Qingdao Federation of Literary and Art Circles, despite funding constraints, allocates nearly half of its annual grants to support the contemporary art exhibition, which reflects the vision of its leadership and lays the foundation for the continuous holding of Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition. Since the second session, the 1902 Contemporary Art Museum in Qingdao Textile Valley has become the permanent venue for the Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition. This place was the site of the textile plant built in 1902 and has turned into a large complex featuring cultural industry elements and smart technology exhibitions. Mr. Yan Yong, Chairman of the Textile Valley Development Co., Ltd., after discovering the value of the contemporary art exhibition at a very early stage, offered to make 1902 Contemporary Art Museum(In 2021, the 1902 Contemporary Art Museum was renamed the 1902 Art Museum) the venue for the event. After that, the Textile Valley has invested a large amount to upgrade facilities and surroundings of the venue to make it up to the standards of higher-level art exhibitions. A number of visionary companies have also joined Mr. Yan in supporting the exhibition which is now a show supported by the government, sponsored by enterprises, and open for public participation. Shibei District, where the Textile Valley is located, has listed the exhibition as a key cultural project after reviewing it from economic, cultural and tourism perspectives, and has pledged support for the exhibition in funding, organization and coordination. In addition, the contemporary art exhibition is also an important part of the city's endeavor to build a world-renowned fashionable city. Therefore, it is not by accident that the exhibition has become a hallmark event. That is the outcome of the concerted efforts of all relevant sides highlighted by strong support and effective mechanism.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Speaking of Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition, I'd be remiss if I fail to mention Lin Jianye, Vice President of Qingdao Artists Association and Director of its Contemporary Art Committee. As a passionate and aspiring artist, he has rallied a dozen partners who share the same aspiration and are impressed by his charming character, wisdom and enthusiasm. They have come together and formed a professional team. From creativity, curating, promotion to execution, they worked closely with each other while each one played a clearly defined role. To ensure meticulous preparations, they show a great sense of responsibility, selflessness and devotion. They have proved that nothing is impossible with dedication, sacrifice and belief in the greater good. As one of the sponsors, I have witnessed the whole process of how this exhibition has started from scratch and grown into a groundbreaking show. I am touched by the hard work and great job of all the colleagues, and inspired by the exciting success and influence of the event. There is good reason to believe that the show has a bright future. This confidence comes from the following three features of the event.

Feature one, with high standard and grand perspective, the exhibition is held in a way that makes sure it stands at the forefront of contemporary art exhibitions. Contemporary art is a new art form that keeps abreast with the times. Against the backdrop of industrialization, urbanization and globalization, only by claiming the vantage point can we have an unobstructed vision and see unseen opportunities. Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition refused to be mediocre from the very beginning. It focuses on times-related themes and stays forward-looking. The themes cover the culture and ecology under urbanization and the relationship of city spirit with people, life, nature and environment. It encourages artists to think both globally and locally with a great passion, so as to create artworks that reflect the mainstream culture of the times and unique visual expression. Undoubtedly, the quality of a show depends on the quality of the works displayed and that would have a lasting influence on the reputation of the exhibition. Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition, which has been held for four sessions consecutively，starts out showing works of local artists in Shandong and Qingdao, and now artists from more than 30 provinces, regions and cities have come forward to take part. In 2021, the participation of artists from nearly 20 countries in the event has elevated the show to a new level in terms of global participation and quality of artworks. Especially, with the launch of the outstanding young contemporary artist program, young and middle-aged artists have contributed over 2/3 of the works displayed. They represent a majority of contemporary art creation and their creations are an inexhaustible source of contemporary artworks.

Feature two, the model is being innovated with continued effort to cultivate a flagship exhibition of contemporary art with regional characteristics. Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition is different from other shows in many aspects. For example, it is neither completely organized by the government nor by any enterprise alone, but co-sponsored by professional art institutions, that is, provincial and municipal contemporary art committees. The event is relatively independent, flexible and efficient, which is conducive to highlighting the professionalism and academic nature of the exhibition by cutting out middle links. In this way, the specialized organizations can do what they are best at with the auspices of the governments, participation of businesses, and support from all social sectors. Many hands make heavy work light. The way Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition is held offers a valuable reference for other exhibitions.

With perseverance, the annual Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition is becoming an increasingly mature brand. Every session presents its own new ideas, themes, forms and approaches. The exhibition of 2021 is themed “Sailing·Fashion”. Fashion is what contemporary art and Qingdao have in common. In November 2020, the 4th RCEP Leaders' Meeting was held. The RCEP Innovation Pilot Zone set up in Qingdao would bring in new development opportunities. In this context, the exhibition of 2021 has established a new idea of “looking eastwards” and has invited the Asian Artists Association to plan the show together. Works created by artists from many different countries are displayed at the exhibition. Such integration of a city's development with an art show reflects the social responsibility of contemporary art in this era.

Feature three, cross-city collaboration led by Qingdao allows every player to give full play to its own strength. Shandong is a late bloomer when it comes to contemporary art. Yet the growth momentum is very robust. Qingdao, as a frontrunner in reform and opening up of Shandong, is the first city in the province to set up its contemporary art committee under the artists association. Following Qingdao, Yantai and Weifang also set up their own successively. The three cities, close to one another geographically and each having its own advantages and characteristics, are natural allies. They have swiftly formed a community for win-win cooperation in the region with the same belief and aspiration to develop contemporary art. Each of the three cities has its own contemporary art show. The Contemporary Art Committee of Yantai Artists Association has even held the show in the ROK and Italy. Without any doubt, Qingdao plays a leading and exemplary role in contemporary art exhibitions among the three. The art committee under the artists associations in three cities have established a mutually beneficial mechanism and strengthening cooperation in hosting exhibitions, academic exchanges and exchange of personnel. Whenever an event is put on by any of the three cities, the other two will give their full support and cooperation, thus creating a unique collaboration model in contemporary art development of Shandong.

In conclusion, I would like to introduce another extraordinary man to you. His name is Meng Xianwei. Ten years ago, Mr. Meng and I had a long talk about contemporary art and we didn't meet each other again ever since. Just recently I've learned that Xihai Art Museum has been officially opened in Qingdao West Coast New Area. That is a contemporary art museum with a floor area of 17,000 m2. To my pleasant surprise, the museum happens to be a masterpiece by Mr. Meng Xianwei. And more interestingly, the first exhibition put on in that art museum is a contemporary art show. That is a choice made by Mr. Meng and by our times. I cannot help thinking to myself: Qingdao's beauty, fashion and abundance have given a fertile and solid ground for the development of contemporary art. Qingdao International Contemporary Art Exhibition is like a ship setting sail with fair winds and following seas. I am confident that an even brighter future awaits.

艺术家简介