Art beat in May

Love of ink

Wang Tiande's solo exhibition shows his most recent experimental ink works in which he renews the presentation of ink to promote traditional ink art. He uses incense sticks to create burn marks to replace ink strokes on rice paper. He places the hollowed paper on top of rubbings of ancient calligraphic inscriptions, conducting a dialogue between traditional doctrine and the conceptual art of today. The title Kai Men, which means "opening the door", speaks of Wang's attempts to open a door to ink art.

10 am-6 pm, until May 26. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu (Road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5876-0600 Ext 100.

Dialectical landscapes

Intelligentsia Gallery's current exhibition Dialectical Territories: Landscapes and Abstraction ranges from photography and paintings to sculptures, and discusses the territorial boundaries between landscapes and abstraction in the realm of contemporary art. Participating artists from Russia, China and Spain shift the viewer's focus from nature to cities and show that landscapes can look abstract while the immaterial feelings can look sublime.

4-6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays by appointment until May 27. 11 Dongwang Hutong, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 183-1075-4745.

A pioneer on display

Mao Lizi was among China's art pioneers in the '80s. "He made a change in China's contemporary art scene, and led artists on the road to creative freedom," says Huang Du, curator of Mao's solo exhibition. More than 30 of the artist's paintings are being presented, including some abstract pieces and some that are "perfect combinations of realistic style and imagism".

9 am-5 pm, May 17-28, Duolun Museum of Modern Art, 27 Duolun Road, Hongkou district. 021-5609-5728.

Circus of darkness

The sexy, thrilling circus show Le Noir is coming to Guangzhou. Darkness is the show's theme. The dazzling lighting, exciting electronic background music, and performances of such feats as flying in the air, balancing on poles and body contortions are breath-taking. The performers are members of the famous Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil.

8 pm, May 27-28. Guangzhou Tianhe Gymnasium, 299 Tiyu Xilu (West Road), Tianhe district. 400-185-8666.

Guangzhou

No 223 on display

An exhibition of Lin Zhipeng's images is ongoing at a gallery in Guangzhou. Lin, commonly known as No 223, is a celebrated photographer, whose 10-year career has been captured through the display. Before he began freelancing, the Beijing-based photographer worked for fashion magazines. His images focus on the new generation of popular culture, presenting young people's subtle yet complicated emotions.

10 am-10 pm, daily until May 28. Venue 1 at Kui Yuan Gallery, 9 Xuguyuan Lu (Road), Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-8765-9746. Venue 2 at VOUTU SPACE, 9 Qiming Yi Lu (Road), Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-3761-6006.

A musical theater production of 18 Springs will tell Eileen Chang's Shanghai story in dialects, pingtan (a form of storytelling and ballad performance sung in the Suzhou dialect) and jazzy songs. The play, directed by Mathias Woo from Hong Kong, will have three performances. "It will bring alive the unique flavor of Shanghai, as well as the time of the story of the 1930s," Woo says.

7:15 pm, June 6-8, Shanghai Culture Square, 597 Middle Fuxing Road, Xuhui district. 021-6472-9000.