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Art beat in January

( China Daily ) Updated: 2014-01-03 07:44:00

Mao's poetry brought to life in paintings

Mao Zedong is not only remembered as a revolutionary and founder of New China but is also respected for his poetry. The National Art Museum of China is displaying dozens of paintings inspired by Mao's famous poems, such as Jiangshan Ruci Duojiao (The Land So Rich in Beauty) and Wan Shan Hong Bian (Thousands of Hills in a Crimson View). The museum contributes to the exhibition its collection of ink-and-water paintings and prints by art masters, including Fu Baoshi, Guan Shanyue and Luo Yingqiu. Some of the works are considered classics of China's 20th-century fine arts. Wei Zixi's colored ink painting Tianqian Tongtu (pictured) is on display. Wei recreates a river landscape based on Mao's well-known verse: A bridge connects northern and southern China, turning a natural moat into a thoroughfare.

9 am-5 pm, until Jan 15. 1 Wusi Dajie (Street), Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.

-Lin Qi

Akon back to get crowds jumping

R&B and hip-hop star Akon (pictured) proved he knows how to rock a stadium when he came to China in 2011. The singer-songwriter is set to return with a series of concerts named after his new single, So Blue, a prelude to his forthcoming fourth full-length album set for release in early 2014. The artist, who grew up between Senegal and the United States, is known for blending West African-style vocals and hip-hop lyricism. Besides new songs, the 40-year-old musician will perform hits, including Oh Africa, Hold My Hand and Wanna Be Starting Something.

7:30 pm, Jan 15. Shanghai Grand Stage. 1111 Caoxibei Lu (Road), Shanghai.

8 pm, Jan 17. MasterCard Center, the former Wukesong Arena, 69 Fuxing Lu (Road), Haidian district, Beijing. 4006-228-228.

- Chen Nan