DINE WITH DINOSAURS

WHO: The artist behind the 'Made in China' Dinosaurs at The Opposite House is Sui Jianguo, a graduate from China's Central Academy of Fine Arts. Sui lives and works in Beijing but is originally from Qingdao, Shandong Province where he was born in 1956. Sui is one of the leading figures in China's new sculpture movement. His major works include the Study in Wrinkles series as well as his Legacy Mantle and Made in China series.www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sui_Jianguo.

WHAT: The artist uses classical realist sculpture methodology to enlarge four-centimeter plastic dinosaur toys to 80 times their original size. Sui Jianguo uses these originally red-colored dinosaurs to underscore the art market and globalization of capitalism. In 2007, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing produced, in collaboration with the artist, a limited edition series of "Made in China" dinosaurs in seven colors. You can find pictures on The Opposite House's flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/theoppositehouse. For price information please consult with concierge.

WHEN: The 'Made in China' Dinosaurs are part of an ongoing exhibition and have been on display in the Village Cafe for almost a year in cooperation with UCCA (www.ucca.org.cn).

WHERE: The Village Cafe at The Opposite House is a cosmopolitan city cafe with a thriving atmosphere. Casual dining is available throughout the day in a spacious naturally lit setting. The menu offers a contemporary take on international favorites from swordfish steak skewers on crispy Asian vegetable slaw and Australian macadamia nuts to slow-cooked Thai duck curry on fragrant jasmine rice to kid favorites like burgers and fries or fish-n-chips. Download a complete menu here: http://www.theoppositehouse.com/library/Village_Cafe_Lunch-0E1K.pdf.

WHY: The original "Made in China" series was created in 1999 for the annual sculpture exhibition in Shenzhen and is one of Sui's most successful. The sculptures are derived from the toy industry and highlight the "transnational capitalist production" between the West and developing countries like China. Because these toys, originally designed in the West, are produced from raw materials in China, and sold again to the overseas market, they perfectly represent the economic model of success for developing nations. In the 1990s, almost all the factories that produced these plastic dinosaur toys globally were concentrated in a few towns between Shenzhen and Guangzhou. In the 1980s they were "Made in Hong Kong" or "Made in Taiwan." In the sixties and seventies they were "Made in Korea" or "Made in Japan." Here "Made in X" implies X nation's preliminary phases of financial accumulation before its rapid development. On the other hand, it also implies the exploitation of the profit made by the economic systems of international capitals.

HOW: For more details, email: reservations@theoppositehouse.com or call +8610 6417 6688. To book online visit the website: www.theoppositehouse.com.


About The Opposite House

In the heart of Beijing at Sanlitun Village, The Opposite House stands out with a striking emerald glass exterior and a contemporary design inspired by traditional Chinese wood lattice and the vibrant surrounding street life. The Opposite House, by Kengo Kuma and Swire Hotels, has won several prestigious awards since opening in 2008, from Robb Report to Conde Nast Traveler. It was named one of the 'Top 5 Party Playgrounds Around the World' by the Tatler UK Travel Awards 2010.


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