Within and Without

Name: Within and Without
ISBN: 9787214086242

何桂彦 / 陶磊Jiangsu People's Publishing House · ChinaDec 2015

3.5

Word count: 21K words
Chapters: 14
ISBN: 9787214086242

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Summary

We care nothing for sensational campaigns, flashy gimmicks, or empty grand talk; what concerns us is interaction with China's leading architects. Architecture must step beyond its own circle and face public scrutiny if it is to find a future. As history tells us, traditions can be broken while rules must be followed, so Chinese architecture must firmly pursue a contemporary path. The pioneering West is worth learning from, but no model can be simply borrowed; the future of contemporary Chinese architecture must be forged by Chinese architects themselves, who can only walk their own path of practice. We uphold pluralism and turn inward for answers, drawing on our own cultural resources to solve problems realistically. As part of the "Contemporary Architecture in China 70" series—the first of its kind in Chinese publishing aimed at post-1970s architects with successful practices—this book uses dialogue to present the architectural conception, construction practice, and process of adjustment between architects and clients behind Aoshi, which, within traditional Chinese spatial and cultural awareness and contemporary values, changed certain rules to create an Eastern-style living environment.

Editor's review

With the collaboration of insiders and outsiders, this is an in-depth book focusing on contemporary Chinese art curatorial practice and theoretical reflection. Its authors, Tao Lei and He Guiyan—one an active curator, the other a prominent art historian—combine practitioner and researcher to give the book a distinctive dual perspective. Rather than a simple compilation of case studies, it seeks to build an analytical framework for understanding how contemporary Chinese art exhibitions are produced. The title, With the collaboration of insiders and outsiders, aptly captures the essence of curatorial work as mediation among multiple forces: artists, institutions, the market, and the public. Through analysis of several important exhibitions since 2000, the book not only traces historical developments but also sharply raises key questions about curatorial power, discursive construction, and the characteristics of the local art ecosystem. For professional readers, its value lies in offering critical tools that go beyond description of phenomena; for art lovers, it is a key to unlocking the black box of contemporary art exhibitions and understanding their underlying logic and negotiations. The discussion is calm and restrained, avoiding effusive praise and demonstrating a rare scholarly clarity and independent judgment.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Curators, critics, and art institution professionals in the contemporary art field
University teachers, students, and researchers in art history, arts management, and related fields
Experienced art enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of the logic behind exhibitions and the art ecosystem
Cultural observers and writers concerned with mechanisms of contemporary Chinese cultural production

Not a good fit for

Casual readers seeking only light image appreciation or artists' gossip
Complete beginners with no foundational knowledge of contemporary Chinese art who expect an introductory guide

Reading tips

Read alongside the specific exhibition cases mentioned in the book, searching for the catalogues, documents, and visual materials from the time for comparative reading
Pay particular attention to the chapters written by each of the two authors, to appreciate the differences and interplay between curatorial practice and art historical research in methodology and focus
Read with the two keywords 'power' and 'discourse' in mind, considering how each exhibition case was 'produced' within a specific context

About the publisher

Jiangsu People's Publishing House China · Founded in 1953

Jiangsu People's Publishing House is known for works in history, literature and the social sciences. Judging from its catalog, it focuses on modern Chinese history, classical literary appreciation and scholarly research. Representative titles include historical works such as Kuomintang-Communist Cooperation and the National Revolution, 1924–1927 and A Record of Combat on the Front Lines of China's War of Resistance Against Japan, literary and visual documents such as Sun Wen's Illustrated Complete Dream of the Red Chamber, and scholarly collections such as Chen Yinke's Collected Works of Hanliu Hall. Translations such as The Dust Bowl and Anti-Intellectualism in American Life reflect an interest in overseas social and cultural studies. Its authors include historians Wang Qisheng, Huang Yuzhang and Guo Rugui, as well as figures associated with classical literature such as Cao Xueqin and Sun Wen. Common categories include history, literary appreciation, essays and miscellaneous writings, and social-science and cultural titles, showing a balance between historical scholarship and literature and between academic and popular publishing. Because public information is limited, this overview is based only on the books in the catalog.

版权信息
丛书总序
序 1
序 2
凹舍
1 从凸到凹
2 屋中院的当代表达
3 开门见山水
4 温和的质感
5 镂空与退晕
6 里应外合
悦 / 美术馆
1 老建筑的新内衬
2 改变与保留

FAQ

How is this book different from an ordinary exhibition catalogue or collection of papers?

The book's core is a deep integration of theoretical analysis and case studies, aiming to build a framework for curatorial criticism rather than to display works or gather individual papers. It offers methods for analyzing exhibitions, not records of exhibitions themselves.

Do I need a strong background in art theory to understand it?

The book is somewhat academic, and some familiarity with the basic contours and key issues of contemporary art will be helpful. But the authors write clearly and use concrete cases, so enthusiasts with some knowledge can also benefit.

Is the discussion in the book outdated?

The book focuses on the key transitional period of the 2000s–2010s, and these cases are foundational for understanding today's art ecosystem. The core questions it raises about curatorial mechanisms, local identity, and related issues remain cutting-edge topics with ongoing relevance.

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About the author

何桂彦 Author

He Guiyan is an author about whom limited public information is available. The only confirmed work is the book Inside and Outside Working Together (Liyìngwàihé), which is classified under design in the library. Since no information is provided about his nationality, dates of birth and death, education, or professional career, no further biographical details can be introduced. Based on the available clues, He Guiyan's writing concerns the field of design. The title suggests that the work may explore themes of internal and external cooperation, collaborative relationships, or some kind of structural contrast, though the specific content and approach remain to be discovered by readers from the book itself. For readers interested in design-related books, this work can serve as an entry point for understanding the author's writing; his style, views, and influence currently lack sufficient public material and should not be over-interpreted.

陶磊 Author

Tao Lei is an author about whom little public information is available; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and other personal details remain unconfirmed. Judging from the four works held in the library, his writing and editorial interests span several fields: foreign literature, as seen in White Hotel; specialized medical material in Structured Clinical Research Datasets for Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer; cultural popularization in Traditional Culture Reading and Appreciation; and design, reflected in Inside and Outside. The works fall under foreign literature, medicine, culture, and design, showing the author's cross-disciplinary range. Because biographical information is lacking, it is difficult to determine his main profession, but his output includes both medical datasets for professional readers and literary and cultural books for general audiences, balancing expertise with readability. Readers may consult the individual titles for a fuller sense of his writing direction.