Stephen Wilkes‘ new show, The Construction of the Olympic Stadium and Other Chinese Public Works, at ClampArt Gallery depicts a nation in massive transition. Perhaps massive isn’t even the right adjective when one considers that China’s recent economic rise is the largest and fastest growth experienced by a single nation in recorded history. Wilkes’ photo exhibition presents public works on a whole new scale, one suited to fit the world’s most populous nation.

Views of construction for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing (”The Data Center”of which is seen left) and the massive Three Gorges Dam (seen below the jump) - the largest dam on earth projected to supply 10% of China’s electricity needs - show a present day society with the appearance of something straight out of science fiction.

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“Deluxe” is a new exhibit of photographs, video and sculpture by visual artist Stuart Hawkins. The installation presents the stark contrast between the developing world and the elite vacation resorts found along coastlines and elsewhere in many developing countries.

Hawkins worked with local artists in Kolkata, India to create oversized prop sculptures of items typically found at a luxury resort, such as the giant hotel bed seen in the photo, enormous tennis courts and rackets, and a supersized beach umbrella. The props are then placed in less opulent settings indicative of the developing world and photographs are taken of local Kolkata residents doing improvised performances with the items. After the shoot, the materials from the props were taken apart and recycled back into the community in Kolkata as carpets, insulation, tents and tables. According to the press release:

“The realm of the elite is re-contextualized, resituated, and re-built with the hands of many and not a few.”

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The Penal Colony, a new exhibit by visual artist Dinh Q. Le, highlights the injustices and hidden aspects of war and the secrets behind prison walls. Inspired by the recent events involving the United States Military Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the installation is divided into two sets of media.

Videos shot in the notorious political prison on Con Dao island off the coast of Vietnam highlight the horrific conditions where anti-French and anti-U.S. activits from the southeast Asian nation were sent to be tortured and live in “tiger cages” during the Vietnam War.

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Lucien Samaha is uneasy about Beirut. Sadly, for more than thirty years there has been plenty to be uneasy about in the city that once upon a time was known as the “Paris of the Middle East.” The exhibition “Lucien Samaha is Uneasy About Beirut,” currently in its final week at the Sara Tecchia Roma New York gallery, showcases Samaha’s haunting imagery from the capital of war torn Lebanon. Since 1975, this beleaguered country has witnessed a 15+ year Civil War, been used a proxy battleground by both neighboring countries and global powers, and still teeters on the brink of plunging back into chaos as sectarian strife continues.

The artist, who was born in Beirut and now resides in the United States, used a mix of film and digital processes to obtain the eerie images of a city that has been repeatedly pushed to the brink. Grainy, foreboding street scenes take on the weight of history amidst the bombed out buildings of this once peaceful and prosperous place.

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The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. We brought you some excellent top 10 lists this week on art, technology, director Errol Morris, and naughty celebs who should rethink their eco-lifestyles. Don’t forget to catch up with some of our other most popular articles of the week, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites.

Katie:

Bush’s War: PBS Frontline Brings the War to a Computer Near You

Inverted Areola, Asymmetrical Breasts, & the Miss Bimbo Game

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Nicole:

Where the Wild Things Are: Top 10 Art Blogs

Dark Water: Artist Explores Consequences of Three Gorges Dam Project

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Giulia:

A Pregnant Man?

Is the Lebron / Gisele Vogue Cover Racist?

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Gina:

Top 10 Technology Blogs

Errol Morris’ Top 10 Films

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Kerry:

Top 10 Celebrities Who Need a New Cause

Dead Bats Flying: Mysterious Fatal Illness Alarms Scientists

This Top 10 Art Blogs list is by no way a comprehensive summary, as there are so many amazing art blogs out there providing up-to-date, creative and inspiring reviews on art, design, technology, and multi-media. Some of the blogs selected were done so for their commitment to activism, others for their in-depth coverage of the art world as a whole, and still others for their innovative spirit and original content. and leave comments about other art blogs you enjoy, and I’ll gladly add them below!

1) The Art Newspaper - http://www.theartnewspaper.com/
Arguably one of the most important art journals out there. Reports on old art and new art in both the commercial and non-commercial world. Publishes breaking news on art, art heritage preservation, theoretical explorations, editorials and more.

2) Another Company - http://anothercompany.blogspot.com/
Joachim Baan is a graphic designer, photographer, and the founder of Another Company. He provides fresh and insightful reviews and daily links to info on some of the most creative and innovative art, design, fashion and technology works around.

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