As Beijing slowly discards its grey, cold winter days and the first signs of spring begin to appear, we cannot help but thirst for something fresh and new. Well, one good start to a new season of creativity and interesting events is the first Caochangdi(草場地) PhotoSpring that kicked off over the weekend.

 

As part of the 2010 Croisement Festival presented in partnership with the French Embassy in China, "PhotoSpring" is the name of a photo event that will see twenty galleries join forces to celebrate the art from home and abroad.

The event aims to bring photographers, artists, collectors, amateurs and the public together... to discover new talents, and to mutually celebrate the art of photography.

20-some promising or already renowned Chinese photographers are showing their works at the opening exhibition. These Inkjet print pictures are the artists' perspective on urban life, remote areas, childhood memories, poetry, landscapes, and environmental protection.

What's more, the activity is also teaming up with Arles Photography Festival, France's most prestigious international photographic exhibitions. The event that has helped to define the best and brightest figures in photography for over 40 years. This year marks the first time that Arles's program is shown outside of France.

The Grassland Art District, better known as "Caochangdi", is one of Beijing's major hubs for cutting-edge contemporary art. This time 'round, some 20 galleries in this area will jointly present participating works, which forms a photographic tour.

According to Rong Rong, one of the directors of the event, he hopes to set up a platform of international photography communication.

Rong Rong, Director of Caochangdi Photospring, said, "We carefully selected the work to exhibit from over 300 applicants around China. The pictures you see are created by very young and talented Chinese photographers. Also on show are the nominations and winners of the 2009 Arles Festival. China's photography started rather late compared to the West, while Chinese artists have shown their vitality and creativity in the past ten years. We hope to establish a platform to communicate with the artists, critics, amateurs, and the public at home and abroad."

During the two-week event, visitors not only get to view plenty of excellent photographic works, but they can also attend forums, talks, workshops, concerts, documentary film screenings, and slide shows.