Contrasts and Contradictions – Chapter 1: CROSSOVERS // Beyond Art & Design is an examination of the cross-disciplinary aspects of contemporary art and design. The exhibition is scheduled to support the 6th Shanghai Biennial which centres on the concept Hyper Design; a term used to discuss the developing relationship between art and design in the world of contemporary art. CROSSOVER uses as its foundation the traditional Chinese concept of 'art' that defined creativity as artistic expression, and which made no hierarchical distinction between 'fine art' and 'design'. By adopting this Chinese traditional thinking, Contrasts Gallery has commissioned fine art artists to design functional objects and designers to create non-functional works to define creativity as the art expression for the twenty-first century. The exhibition features new works by approximately 30 Chinese and 30 international artists and designers. The participants all employ Chinese art and craft techniques in their commissioned pieces in keeping with their bid to challenge the boundaries of fine art and design.

Through their essays for this catalogue, Li Xu, Andree Cooke and Alex Coles provide an informative discourse on creativity, outlining the differing traditional context and status of 'fine art' and 'design' in China and the West, and the shifting status of these dissolving categories internationally. Images of works in the present catalogue are accompanied by artist statements. Artist biographies are also provided. Please note that only Asian artists are listed below.