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 miss mao
 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.Eastern promise. Who wants a Chairman Mao when you can have Miss Mao? This group show is based around one piece of contemporary Chinese artwork by the Gao Brothers (Gao Zhen and Gao Qiang). This pair of artists have been banned from leaving China for three years, and their piece in this exhibition had to be smuggled out of the country to avoid police inspections. Small Silver Idol is a Koons-like silver pop character with big silver breasts – not exactly country threatening to western eyes, but too accessible and subtly rebellious to suit China. Most of the artists in this show are in fact British, responding to this situation and their view of China. Freee’s billboard pieces and Stephen Connelly’s video installation make obvious references to the country and its politics. Other pieces make more abstract comment on censorship in its widest sense. The exhibition itself is in a converted house, which always adds a bit of DIY edge, and is definitely worth seeing if only to support freedom of speech. MISSMAO is at Blacklist Projects, London, until 13 August 06 and Beijing 29 November until 29 December.
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comment by Mark
Sep 2, 2006
Sir Stanley Spenser went to China. he said it was "very like Cookham" (Berks). Maybe that has put some artists off.
comment by artreview
Sep 2, 2006
BEIJING SHOW: ( NOW CANCELLED IN CHINA )Due to censorship laws in contemporary China, and as a response to cultural sensitivities, the exhibition has been prohibited by the chinese authorities and will not take place as of september 1st 2006. Updates will be posted regularly www.missmao.co.uk
comment by artreview
Jul 29, 2006
It is a pleasant surprise to come across a new exciting artist run project space considered to be off the art map but easy to get to, in zone 2 and not so far from major public spaces such as the chisenhale gallery, space triangle and modern art inc. It presents a mature and ambitious programme of british and international visual art & film that incorporates new and unexpected collaborative works between some of the artists specifically The Gao Brothers, Fei Fei Lu, Helen Marshall, David Goldenberg & Digital Art Projects. Keep your eye on this one..they have exteneded the dates and are planning to take it to Beijing & the infamous 798 District later this year. Some of the works in this show may not be suitable for children...in particular the peepshow they have put outside the toilet and the chinese christ...shut your eyes, close your ears...sounds relay in the space!
comment by flyingtwinkle
Jul 29, 2006
The Gao brothers are performing to invite every one to participate in a mass hug and international hugging
comment by exspuddha
Jul 29, 2006
i suspect that all the british artists have never been anywhere near china because like so many westerners and british people today their perception of china is so dated and cliche'd. Wake up! China has and is undergoing the greatest changes, and growing faster than any country before or since. Despite the lack of certain freedoms that we take for granted the country and its people have created an incredibly advanced society. Go to modern Shanghai and Beijing...see for yourself. Chairman Mao!...gimmie a break! that's like Chinese artists doing a similar show in china about Britain: James Bond and red telephone box's.
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