P.J. BOROWIEC, Fine Arts major, writes: 
Monday was spent at BizArt learning and reviewing contemporary Shanghai artists that work with BizArt. I was very much into Hu Jieming, Xu Zhen, and Yang Fudong. Tuesday we visited ShangArt, and I couldn't get enough of Zhao Bandi, as I'm a sucker for a good sense of humor. Lorence, the founder, spoke with us for some time, and it was great getting his perspective on the current art market. We vistied many places and I can't say I saw one thing that wasn't interesting. I was especially captivated by Cai Hongshuo's photos at OFoto Gallery. The color, presentation, and subject of his work get thumbs up across the board. Yesterday I forgot my camera, so it only exists in my memory (and everybody else's cameras).
We stopped by the bird and flower market, and it was really something else; colorful and full of crickets. More importantly it was calmer than any other market I had visited, so I strolled around, stopping back by the bunnies and mice. I left to go down the side street and tried to buy a coat, but realized mid-haggle I didn't have much money. Oops! After the market we ate delicious dim sum at The Crystal Jade, which was in this mall that reminded me of malls in Germany. Very sparse and minimal in design, with high ceilings and glass walls. The Communism Museum was conveniently located across the street from the mall. I did not go, but I heard it was very... communist.
Our guide, Xhingyu, has been wonderful and always sends us to the right place, so when a few of us wanted to go karaoke our hearts out, she recommended "Party World." This is because they have English songs, while most karaoke places do not. We went, and it was a party: the place is gigantic and full of marble and eagle statues. You get your own room, reverb, and plenty of drinks. The videos for the songs were really incredible! I wonder if anyone will post pictures...
[PHOTO: Viewing works by Zhao Bandi at ShangArt. Photo by Liz Chilsen]
