Chinese Version of Michael Jackson's Beat It

If this link does not work anymore, google it, there are many youtube entries, but Sony music tries to block them for copy right reasons ... well, I think it is a fun video, and the Chinese "red army" is looking great in that video. Good job. I like best is the 'guitar' solo at the end.

The video is taken from the red army themed musical 'The long march'. Today on youtube.com and tudou.com (the Chinese version of youtube) you can find several pop songs along with this trailer, beside Michael Jackon's 'Beat it' the most famous is Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face'. Read more here.

What you want to know about Sexy Beijing's Sexy Christmas

In this Sexy Beijing video from December 2006 Su Fei tries to find out about the Christmas spirit that seems to invade China's capital every year. What do Chinese people think about Christmas? What do they know about Christian customs and what do they know about Jewish Hanukkah?

Although China is a communist country and Christmas is an official working day, Beijing is decorated with Christmas trees and full of Santa Clauses like any other capital in the world these days. Flower markets in Chaoyang district have been selling natural Christmas trees and Advent wreath with four candles. The sales person often not knowing the meaning are smart enough to know the foreigners' demand. Christmas seems like a fun holiday - as it should be - and as Chinese people do like most Western things they also "copy" Christmas - at least the decorative and fun part like getting together and exchanging gifts.

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 HAPPY Holiday to all of you !

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More Mao

Beijing Fable 1998, Photography 71.5 x 100 cm by Gao Brothers


This photograph belongs to a series of four photographs ....


.... that together are an 'Installation on Tiananmen' 2000, Photograph each 100 x 67 cm (total 10.000 USD)
by the Gao Brothers.

It is apparently criticising Mao by showing the rotten frame of Chairman Mao's picture at the entrance of the Forbidden City at Tiananmen Square.


Miss Mao No2, 2006, Sculpture 210cm x 140cm x 150cm, by Gao Brothers


A poster, seen in Dashanzi Art Center, Beijing


'Mao Dishes', ceramics by Li Mingzhu.
The artist criticises with his 'Mao Dishes' those who make money with Mao's face. 'It is like eating Mao's face' he said in his studio in Songzhuang Art Village, east of Beijing.













Mao-Kitsch, Mao-Pop Art, criticising Mao or criticising making money with Mao - at the end it is all Mao.

Is it about 'coming to terms with the past'?

If you want to discuss the popularity of Chairman Mao in China, you are welcome to leave a comment.

I am off now to good old Europe. And in three weeks I am here.

More art info, details and pictures at the following links:
Gao Brothers
798 Space (part of Dashanzi Art District)

Chairman Mao Imitation

'Chen Yan, a 51-year-old woman, poses for a portrait while impersonating China's late Chairman Mao Zedong, in Mianyang, Sichuan province May 26, 2007. Chen, who stands at 1.55 meters (5 feet 1 inch) has to wear a pair of specially designed shoes to increase her height to 1.80 meters (5 feet 11 inches) to imitate Mao. She was discovered by a beautician while impersonating Mao on a local TV show. [Reuters]'

I wonder how her shoes looked like...
... and I wonder why Chinese still adore Mr. Mao?

Other Odd News from China via China Daily - Odd News