Making art more accessible

A to Z of Contemporary Art is a collection of 59 articles from Frieze, a leading London-based magazine of contemporary art and culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Emptied of content, the items were also emptied of their practical use and value… With every 'ping' of a cash register, a member of the audience magically turned into an art collector," writes Chinnery.

"For Xu Zhen, creating meaning in such a vast and complex society as China involves having a voice strong enough to affect the cultural landscape."

According to Chinnery, Xu's response was to create "an exhibition for everyone"－professionals, the public and the rich collectors－and his success required fundraising that drew galleries, dealers, auction houses, foundations and collectors together. "This is where MadeIn Company－and money－comes in."

At the launch of the book, renowned artists, poets, scholars, curators and the publisher held a discussion focusing on their understanding of contemporary art and its development in China.

In Wang's opinion, "there's no frame that could reach the edge of contemporary art", Wang says.

"Any artistic form that cannot be accepted by existing genres is a form of contemporary art".

The black-and-white cover of the Chinese version－designed in the style of contemporary art－is created by Ma Shirui, one of the winners of The Beauty of Books in China awards in 2014.

The original version of the book marked the 25th anniversary of Frieze, which was founded by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover in 1991.

They were eager to know more about contemporary art then but found many magazines full of cliches that were also difficult to understand, whereas fashion magazines like Arena and The Face were charming, clear and "so British".

Inspired by the fashion magazines of the time, the trial of the art magazine, which was co-founded by artist Tom Gidley, was released in June 1991. It boasted a delicate design, less-daunting terminology and abundant artistic information.

That style continues today, making "Frieze" one of the most influential brands in the field. According to Boundless Books, the publisher of the Chinese version, more than 10,000 copies were sold in just three months since the book's first release in Britain last October.

Contact the writer at fangaiqing@chinadaily.com.cn