Architect Cheng Lei and independent art critic Zhu Qi, the editors of a newly published 400 page book of interviews, texts and images on the rapidly changing art, architecture and arts community known today as 798, will come to the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in 798 Friday, August 22 to lead an open discussion on the many issues facing the district today.

Joining the discussion will be the head of the Beijing 798 Cultural Industries Office, Chen Yongli, and Timezone 8 publisher Robert Bernell, as well as other 798 participants in the book project.

Book Overview:

From industrial complex to international art district, Beijing 798 has become a symbol of urban change in China. This book canvases the district's insiders - architects, artists, curators, critics, galleryists, publishers, art professionals and non-profit workers, among others – to explore many of the issues facing the art district (and China as a whole) today: development plans, artistic freedoms, commercial controls, globalization, tradition, as well as modes of artistic experimentation and contemporary practice.

Against the backdrop of globalization and social change, the broad and penetrating discussion that unfolds in this book's texts and interviews offer critical insight and analysis into many of the issues that the district now faces and, in doing so, afford the reader glimpses into the possible futures of art, architecture and society in China.

The event will kick off at 2:30pm in the auditorium of the UCCA. The book 'Beijing 798 Now: Changing Art, Architecture and Society in China' will be available for purchase on the day. Retail price: 398rmb.

To reserve your seat for this important event, please call UCCA Book Office 8459 9269.

For more information, contact Robert Bernell 1380 115 8209.

(China.org.cn August 21, 2008)