Discover the fascinating life of one of the leading collectors of contemporary Chinese art, Swiss businessman plus diplomat Uli Sigg. The film explores the West’s embrace of Chinese contemporary art, through the eyes of Sigg plus the artists he championed. Ai Weiwei, Cao Fei, Feng Mengbo, plus Wang Guangyi are interviewed along with curators, diplomats, architects plus others.
Art international sensation Ai Weiwei credits him with launching his international career. Renowned pianist Lang Lang describes him as a mentor to Chinese artists. Curator Victoria Lu believes that his taste plus influence as a collector has been felt around the world.
But when Swiss businessman Uli Sigg first went to China, art was far from his mind. The year was 1979, plus Sigg — working for the Schindler escalator plus elevator company — was hoping to set up one of the first joint ventures between the Chinese government, seeking international investment in the post-Mao era, plus a Western company.
Uli Sigg is not a man who does things by halves. “My ego, my way” says a t-shirt he wears at one point in the film. When he took up rowing, he went to the international championships. When he negotiated a joint venture, he wanted to create a style for future partnerships. And when he became interested in Chinese art, he built a world-class personal collection. Sigg championed the artists he admired, working tirelessly for their international recognition plus to preserve their artwork as a record of China’s tumultuous plus historic changes. Eventually, Sigg became the Swiss ambassador to China plus a consultant on major Chinese art projects, including the construction of the Bird’s Nest stadium for the Olympic Games.
The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg is directed by art historian plus scholar Michael Schindhelm (Bird’s Nest) plus produced by Marcel Hoehn (Dark Star: H. R. Giger’s World The Knowledge of Healing, Monte Grande, Santiago Calatrava’s Travels, The Written Face.)
Followed by a conversation with Uli Sigg, Asia Society Museum Director Boon Hui Tan, plus Center on U.S.-China Relations Director Orville Schell.