Wednesday 2nd September 2009 | Posted by Emile

A lot of the works on display in the 798 Art District in Beijing are underwhelming, derivative pieces designed to cash in on the success of Chinese artists such as Zhang Xiaogang who enjoy "Western" success. One of the more refreshing installations in August came from Feng Mengbo, who has built upon his earlier work to create a huge, immersive computer game that fills the entire Nave of the Ullens Contemporary Center for Art (UCCA).

Pixellated and fondly referencing console games of the early 1990s, Game Over: The Long March features a digitzed Red Army soldier who becomes the hero as players navigate landscapes such as the grasslands of Xue Shan to a snowy Red Square. His weapons are cans of Coca-Cola which he hurls at familar invading characters such as the Super Mario Brothers. Feng Mengbo has created an entertaining, interactive piece worthy of international acclaim.

UCCA, No.4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798 Art District, Beijing.

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