In the mood for some culture? The 798 Art District, or Dashanzi Art District, is sure to provide. What used to be a grouping of decommissioned military buildings has since become an artistic hub boasting countless murals, sculptures, and cafés. The industrial grey of its past has since been updated with vibrant colors, making it a popular site for Instagram junkies. We’ve all seen the pictures, but what is it like unfiltered? I needed to get a little lost to find out.
The first thing that struck me when I entered the district were the seemingly endless stylized walls adorning the buildings. Any store or gallery without an elaborately painted exterior had aesthetically pleasing displays to attract any passerby. Given the number of people flocking to the area on a daily basis to upgrade their social media, I didn’t get many weird looks for taking a few quick pictures (although I did feel excruciatingly vain).
Perhaps one of the most recognizable landmarks in the district is the 798 Space Gallery. The otherwise blank, dull concrete walls are emblazoned with bold crimson lettering of the communist era. The former factory is home to a cinema, restaurant, bookstore, and a host of contemporary art exhibitions. I was initially deterred by its lackluster exterior (which is an anomaly within such a decorated area), but like most things in life, it was more than it seemed.
At my time of visiting, it’s occupied with “David Bowie by Mick Rock,” an exhibit dedicated to showcasing Bowie through the eyes of his photographer in the 70s, Rock. The gallery’s drab concrete walls were brought to life with countless images of the flamboyant Bowie. My personal favorite was the room dedicated to blasting “Space Oddity” while showing a 360 degree view of space. I probably stayed there for a good 20 minutes just nodding along to the music. Although the exhibit is temporary, there always seems to be a new one popping up. Bowie or Nowie, you’re sure to find something to see.
Feet sore, I wandered aimlessly looking for a café. Make no mistake-there was an abundance. One that caught my eye was a rare flash of green in Beijing. Botanica was bursting with flora, both from the inside and out. While the strawberry milk smoothie I had ordered was more shards of ice than anything else, the atmosphere more than made up for it. If it made up for the 60ish kuai I spent on it, however, remains up for debate.
While I did get enough cool shots to last me for a lifetime, what mattered more to me are the experiences I had. Pictures are great, but nothing is worth documenting if there aren’t meaningful memories attached behind them. And I won’t be forgetting the brain freeze from that smoothie anytime soon.
This article appeared in the beijingkids July-August 2019 Teen Takeover issue
Photos: Abigail C
