Photo: Screenshot from Beijing Daily website

 
The Beijing Design And Art Expo, one of the key events of the Beijing International Design Week, opened on Thursday at the China National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing.   
Taking the theme Rejuvenating Life, the expo covers three distinctive units: Beauty of Technology, Beauty of Taste and Beauty of Life. 

With 17,000 square meters of exhibition area, more than 100 exhibitors, and more than 10 events, the expo brings together high-quality design content from around the world. It gathers innovative designs in the fields of culture, tourism, technology, art, food, home, clothing and cultural creativity, leading the public to explore the potential and possibilities of design in the future, and to experience the industry trends and lifestyle brought by the expo.

The technology section focuses on the innovation of emerging digital culture and tourism industry technology and content, and activates new formats with cross-border cooperation mode.

Visitors can enjoy the immersive experience Dream Forest, the stunning ball screen special film Crossing 30,000 Miles, AI art and design.

The exhibition brings together food culture from around the world. Around the life philosophy of "eating according to the season," a number of well-known brands are jointly presenting a feast of art and life that is within reach.

The Beauty of Life unit is dedicated to showcasing creative and fresh design works, the crystallization of cultural inheritance as well as modern design thinking.
 
Pianist Lang Lang releases new record

Classical favorites, musical discoveries and a pair of captivating large-scale works by Saint-Saëns make up the fantastic selection of French works on Lang Lang's latest recording. Lang Lang - Saint-Saëns, set for release by Deutsche Grammophon on 2 CDs, 2 LPs and digitally on March 1, 2024, sees the Chinese superstar join forces with his wife, pianist Gina Alice, the Gewandhausorchester Orchestra and Andris Nelsons.

At the heart of the album are the magical Carnival of the Animals, Saint-Saëns's Grand Zoological Fantasy for two pianos and orchestra, and the virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2. Also included are a dozen works for solo piano or piano four hands - a blend of Belle Époque favorites and neglected gems by female French composers.

Lang Lang's decision to open the album with a work that has enchanted generations of young listeners and introduced millions to classical music reflects his mission to attract children to the genre. 

"Many of us remember Saint-Saëns's famous Carnival of the Animals from childhood. There are a lot of clever ideas underneath all the fun. He's making a real statement, but in a very humorous way," says the pianist. 

Internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang has sold millions of albums worldwide, topping classical charts and achieving simultaneous mainstream success. Lang Lang was announced as an honoree in the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2023.