Three big local art events -- showcasing sculptures by Henry Moore and Arman Fernandez, and Buddy Bears as well as Andy Warhol's prints -- will turn September into a month of art.

The month long shows are the Shanghai Spring Art Saloon, the International Environment Art Sculpture Exhibition and the Second National Ink-wash Painting Exhibition.

Organized by the Shanghai Oil Painting and Sculpture Institute, the spring saloon will kick off on September 10 at the Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center. It will feature oil, sculpture, installation, photo and ceramic works by nearly 60 artists from 20 countries and regions, the organizers revealed yesterday.

"We also have a German theme-related show displaying works by 32 famous German artists, such as Rupprecht Geiger and Ole Fischer," said Li Lei, vice president of the institute.

Currently, Li and his staff are busy preparing the venue to display 24 sculptures of Buddy Bear, the symbol of an internationally popular art.

Another show starting on September 12 at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower will boast 30 sculptures, including "Love" by Robert Indiana and "Venus" by Salvador Dali.

"We want to promote the concept of public art," said Ma Qingzhong, the exhibition's curator.

For the Second National Ink-wash Painting Exhibition at the Shanghai Art Museum, the organizer -- China's Artists Association -- hopes to explore the future direction of the ancient art form. The exhibition, 10 years after its first opening in Beijing, will display 396 pieces chosen from among the 7,000 works by artists.

(Eastday.com August 30, 2003)