Digital timepieces

Arthur Clay, from Switzerland, says the exhibition is an opportunity for him to get closer to Chinese people and their culture. As such his work, Horroom, "includes or reflects some Chinese elements" as spaces are perceived as sounds generated by the visitor's interactions.

In her orchestra/noise installation, Harddisko, Swiss artist Valentina Vuksic takes viewers on a journey to a parallel universe.

Clay says internationally well-known Chinese artists are more likely to "make big statements with works on a huge scale" while most Swiss artists would rather make "small statements" with smaller works.

"I can put my installation work in a suitcase and come here for the show," the musician-turned media artist says with a smile.

Time-lapse, A Swiss-China Media Art Exhibition is the second of its kind held at the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC), and is part of the Swiss Chinese Cultural Explorations 2008-2011 program, initiated by the Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council, and supported by the museum, and Biel Contemporary Art Museum in Switzerland.

Last summer, NAMOC staged Synthetic Times: Media Art China 2008, International New Media Art Exhibition, attracting thousands of visitors and a large international audience.

The goal of the collaborative shows is "to establish new networks and to encourage within all artistic disciplines cultural exchanges between China and Switzerland," says Marianne Burki, head of visual arts, Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.

The Sino-Swiss media art exhibition will travel to Biel, Switzerland, in March next year, after its Beijing debut which ends on Dec 19.