Exhibition reviews rock music history

"I have been watching the Chinese mainland's rock scene since the early 1990s and it had been a longtime wish to bring my idol, Cui Jian, to the festival," he says.

That wish was not fulfilled until 2007. "When I received his entry permit, I almost cried, so I want to share that with the audience of the exhibition," Chang says.

In the past few years, Chang has also toured the Hohaiyan festival to Hong Kong and invited rock musicians and bands from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan to share the stage.

"The rock music scene of the Chinese mainland in the 1990s and early 2000s really surprised me," Chang says. "But as more and more music festivals were held every year around the country, bands were busy touring but rarely come up with new work, which is a major problem for the current rock scene."

Compared with the Chinese mainland, the indie rock scene in Taiwan has experienced a rebirth, he says.

"More and more commercial opportunities are offered for bands now, for example, variety shows and galas like to invite bands to perform live music. Brands are more open to sponsor indie culture," Chang says. "People need to know the past, support the scene and really see what it is all about."

IF YOU GO

10:30 am to 7 pm, through Dec 13. Asian Art Works, D-09-2, 798 Art Zone, No 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu (Road), Beijing.

Tel: 010-5762-6338.