SOS: Aotu

Hello. I’m Ray. Long time no see. 

I need your help to change Aotu’s fortunes.

Video by Derrick Wang

The Rocky Ins and Outs of Destiny

Aotu has never had it easy. Since we opened in 2014 in the heart of the hutongs, we’ve hosted parties and events, art shows, film screenings, and entertained all manner of musicians and performers, while under revolving threat of closure, bricking up, demolition, and crippling red tape. 

In May 2017, our space came down a notch, literally. We lost an entire floor to the sweeping hutong ‘rectification campaign’. I will never forget artist Ake standing against a pile of bricks reading the Communist Manifesto as the rains came down. Likewise, I will never forget our team (Amelie\Wen Shun\Liyuan\Xiao Lei)’s enormous efforts, and the support of so many of our friends, in rebuilding Aotu on the ground floor, and giving us a whole bar, entertainment space and massive roof terrace, with a beautiful tree in the middle we’ve named “toona”.

Of all the 72 art exhibitions and 200 events we’ve put on in the past six years, the one I feel most nostalgic for was last December. It was simultaneously our reopening party and our 5th year anniversary. Our newly expanded space, full the the brim with friends, old and new, and the art they had chosen to display. I felt like we’d finally overcome our troubles.

Little did I know it would be the last time I would see so many of our friends together. Today it feels like an age way. 

Something big happened, over which we’ve had little say. But we haven’t been sitting around these past four excruciating months. In March, we decided to test the waters by opening our roof space for drinks at weekends from the end of April. Our bartender scrubbed the space from top to bottom, and Haite was put in charge of health and safety.  Lin Qian was in Wuhan, and Ah Zhen took on part time tasks. We had someone on duty at the door to take temperatures and register everyone at all times. I got on with plans for our second half 2020 events schedule and became a dab hand at making Wuhan noodles. Friday and Saturday nights got back to a semblance of normality with cocktails and good vibes. We cautiously planned an event for May…

And sure enough, our friends showed up. One by one, in groups eager to meet after months, birthday parties, leaving parties, dates and dogs, everything you’d expect of a community craving communion. So you can imagine that with the Beijing outbreak in June, all our tentitive first steps and plans came crashing down. The blow was mental as well as material. 

And with this, I am reaching out to you, who’ve read this far, and have stayed with Aotu far longer…

Come back to Aotu (If you can)! As a passerby, friend of a friend, a fair weather friend or a BFF, we welcome you all.

I known that our friends over the years will want us to stay open. Paying forward now is the key to this happening. It will help us build confidence, bring our customer base back up, and get us back in position to become the indispensive Aotu Space we’ve all got a hand in creating. 

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Graphic design by LAVA beijing

Aotu will be fully open for business from July 29

Tuesday to Sunday | 12:00-24:00

Aotu’s Next Event

<DEFENSITRIX> Defense Series Art Project

Item 1: “Solo Room” Vol.01

Coming soon

Dear friends, 

Aotu is still waiting for you in Beixinqiao.

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