BEIJING – By all rights, Beijing should be suffering the post-Olympic hangover anticipated by skeptics and cynics.
China’s exports-driven economy has taken a big hit from the global recession. Millions of college graduates are still unemployed. Newly built shiny commercial buildings stand unoccupied. And in recent weeks the Chinese government has stepped up its ongoing efforts to control the flow of information on the Internet.
If anything, however, the Chinese capital is enjoying a renaissance in the arts and culture – normally what would be the first casualty in a climate of recession and censorship. And it’s attracting a growing number of people from around the world who want to be part of the scene.
 |
| VIDEO: Beijing is one of the world’s most ‘vibrant places’ |
“Beijing has that combination of optimism, possibility, opportunity, as well as being an interesting city in its own right,” said Aric Chen, a freelance writer, curator and design consultant who recently moved here from New York City.
The 34-year-old is juggling several international projects – a book on Brazil, an exhibition in Israel, and a biennale in South Korea – any of which could be launched from another base.
But in Beijing, he found that “there is still a hunger and openness for new things, so there’s room for people like me.” Within China, he helps to oversee projects like the “100% Design Shanghai,” a major industry fair that he hopes will help to elevate the discourse on design in the country and nurture homegrown designers and artists.
…(read more)
