Vol 03. BEI's Exhibition - "When Gazing Full..."

fRUITYSPACE is a small reflection of my love for Beijing.
The nail holes on the walls, the layers of posters pasted one over another, and the patchy, crooked furniture — all of it speaks to the space's embrace of all things diverse and imperfect. It’s like a shell that welcomes me to curl up inside — a place where I listen to music, read, view all kinds of raw, edgy works, and meet interesting friends.

When I asked the owner, Mr. Zhai, if I could hold an exhibition at fRUITY, he simply replied, “Why not? do it."I told him that his response made me very happy. But along with the happiness came pressure and anxiety — how could I organize an exhibition in just over twenty days?

As someone who works in the art industry, I obviously understand the standards of and completeness required for exhibitions. But once I was inside this space, I realized that something overly polished and rigid would conflict with the pace here. So I thought — why not simply create a sincere exhibition, which is to gather friends in this space, and invite them into my little "shell"?

So, how do you curate and launch an exhibition in just over twenty days?
BEI: "Just put your head down and go for it."

That same night, I was working on a French lesson about how to describe a love story —
"une histoire de l'amour."But my mind kept drifting back to brainstorming the theme for the exhibition. I barely caught what was said in class, except for a line where a man described loving his wife "comme un fou" — like a madman. Love must be something burning, fevered, intense.

After class, I flipped through a poetry collection a friend had gifted me, searching for inspiration."When gazing full, she fills the glade and spreads the sea with silvery light" appeared between the pages. Even after turning the page, the words lingered in my mind.I vaguely felt the deep tenderness carried in that "gaze."It’s from "Moonlight" by Sappho, the ancient Greek poet, whose works often tell of love, longing, and beauty.
But this poem is different — it presents a deep, quiet serenity rather than the rich, intense emotions her works are usually known for.
It feels as if, through her gaze, we are standing in the night breeze, on cliffs by the sea, with moonlight shimmering across the water — the rippling waves like bright, blinking eyes.

Thus, this exhibition:
"When Gazing Full, She Fills the Glade and Spreads the Sea with Silvery Light."

I have always been good at being an audience member, and I truly enjoy it.
I can still see myself, years ago, sitting alone at fRUITY SPACE, staring at the small stage and the band in the center.
I can see my own gaze from that time.

Artworks also carry countless gazes from individuals like myself —
And these gazes, in turn, project back onto us through the works.
Artworks are like oceans, like the universe — vast containers of imagination and contemplation.

In an era that floods us with information, orders, emotions, and knowledge,
I hope this exhibition can be like a handful of cool seawater —
Washing away some of the heat and agitation in our hearts,
Leaving a few sparkling memories at our fingertips.

I hope it offers a brief moment to drift away from the present —
To imagine, to wonder, to remember.

To seek out one’s own feelings and to face oneself. And through her gaze, to spark a resonance, an echo within.

Qiang
Curator of BEI

* More works from the exhibition will be shared on Instagram @beitheshop.