The French Contemporary Art Center in Sete put on June 19 an exhibition on Chinese contemporary art which displays artistic pieces by 26 Chinese artists as part of the Chinese Year in France 2004/2005.

With the title of "West of the South of the East," the exhibition followed another show with the name of "East of the South of the West" in French Mediterranean city of Nice, with the same artists but different works.

"Chinese contemporary art is complex and varied, and probably one of the most energetic one on current art scene. Several generations from different regions and influenced by diverse cultural, historical, geographical, social and economic traditions, but to some extent stemming from a common past, are part and parcel of this new reality," said Hou Hanru, a Chinese art critic and freelance curator who lives and works in France.

"These Chinese artists are sensible to new technical means, they use sonoral, optical and electric media as their art languages," he told Xinhua at the inauguration of the exhibition which has attracted many Europeans.

The title of the two consecutive exhibitions, which are the most important ones in recent years for the French Contemporary Art Center in Sete, was given by Noelle Tierry, director of the center, who said the freedom of the art languages used by the Chinese artists surprised her.

The uncertain directions "West of the South of the East" and "East of the South of the West" reflect the kaleidoscope represented by the contemporary art of today, she said.

Source: Xinhua