Art beat in February

Evolution of watercolor

It has been 300 years since Western missionaries introduced watercolor techniques into China. The Age of Progress, a grand exhibition at the National Art Museum of China, celebrates the long-standing influences of watercolor techniques on modern Chinese art. It traces the evolution of watercolor that has been incorporated with traditional painting rules, and presents various orientations from the past three decades.

9 am-5 pm, daily until Feb 8. 1 Wusi Dajie (Street), Dongcheng district. 010-6400-1476.

Out of the ordinary

Art collecting is associated with the rich and the elite. But a recent show opening at Xi Art Space in the 798 Art Zone exhibits masterpieces of Chinese paintings collected by ordinary people who inherited the pieces from their fathers, grandfathers or even great-grandfathers. Works on display include paintings by Lin Fengmian, Li Keran, Fu Baoshi and Guan Shanyue.

9 am-6 pm, until Feb 10. 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu (Road), Chaoyang district. 010-5978-1341.

Cross-talk for New Year

Twelve young Chinese performers of xiangsheng, or cross-talk, will bring a show together celebrating the coming of traditional Chinese Lunar New Year. Considered the new generation inheriting and renovating the Chinese traditional art form, the actors will perform new works written by themselves as well as some classic works, paying tribute to the established xiangsheng masters.

7:30 pm, Feb 11, 12. Cultural Palace of Nationalities, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie (Street), Xicheng district. 4006-228-228.

Asian carps

Contemporary artist Chen Hangfeng was inspired by the news story of Asian carps invading major river systems in the United States. In contrast to the destructive effects of the fish on the US ecosystem, these carps are becoming rare and almost extinct in China. In 2010, Chen started a series of research projects, observing and creating artworks on the fish.

10am-6pm, Jan 25-Feb 13, Feb 25-Mar 13, AM Art Space, 50B, FengxianLu (Road), Jing'an district.021-6384-2432.

Sounds of romance

Chinese tenor Ding Yi will perform in a concert, along with Australian soprano Lorina Gore, offering audiences a romantic high for the occasion of Valentine's Day. The show will be a fusion of classic, popular music and folk songs, including My Heart Will Go On and I Will Always Love You.

7:30 pm, Feb 13, 14. Cultural Palace of Nationalities, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie (Street), Xicheng district. 010-8319-5319.

A bit of Paris

Feel Paris is an exhibition that show cases the attitude of five young French artists, whose works vary from abstraction to surrealism, and are created on different mediums including paper and canvas. The artists display their insistence with innovative art language.

10am-5pm daily, closed Mondays; through Feb 28. Lelege Art, B-03, Ground Floor Store, 66 Xiaguangli, North Lu (Road) of East Third Ring, Chaoyang district. 010-8446-7702.

Artificial intelligence

Robotic Future is part of the Shanghai Biennale, and it spotlights artificial intelligence as architects see it. The exhibition showcases digital creations based on robotic platforms, exploring new possibilities that may exist between man and robots.

10am-9pm, Tues to Sun, through Feb 28. Minsheng Art Museum Shanghai, Building F570 Huaihai Road West, Xuhui district.0216282-8729.