点废成绿 Greening the Beige (GtB) is an eco-minded arts collective and not-for-profit community network dedicated to nurturing awareness of environmental issues. 点废成绿 GtB promotes and celebrates earth friendly artists and organizations in Beijing.
"Why are we being forced to choose between the economy and the environment? We tend to forget that without an environment we would not have an economy, as everything we consume and I mean everything comes from our environment."
~ Franke James (contemporary artist, photographer, writer)
Beijing's landfills are getting full fast! Reduce the "trash" you throw away by purchasing products with minimal packaging. Look for reusable, recyclable, and biodegrable items and remember to carry your reusable shopping bags!
On July 10, 2010, Beijing’s first ethical trade fair will feature a showcase of contemporary artisan goods and hand-made crafts to promote sustainable livelihoods for rural Chinese women.
The event will be hosted by brandnü, a Beijing-based store and artisan network that connects the energy of young urban designers with the age-old traditions of Chinese craftsmanship.
The fair is open to the public and will bring together artisans, NGO representatives, and entrepreneurs to learn about ethical trade in China. Presentations by community leader Wu Qing, a renowned professor and active leader of women’s rights, and Nathan Zhang, founder of brandnü, will highlight the challenges and achievements of social enterprise in China. The event, which also marks the one year anniversary of brandnü, will feature exhibits by ethical trade producers, short videos and live music.
"If you can help one woman, you can help an entire family," says brandnü founder, Nathan Zhang. “This ethical trade fair aims to support the growth of sustainable enterprises led by rural Chinese women.”
After living abroad in Canada for ten years, Zhang, a designer, returned to Beijing and started brandnü in 2009. brandnü sells ethically sourced and eco-friendly goods from over a dozen NGOs and artisan groups at its hip boutique in Wudaoying Hutong, near the Lama Temple. As its name implies, brandnü aims to promote creative partnerships between urban designers and rural women artisans.
The majority of brandnü artisans are female, disabled or unemployed and a portion of all proceeds are dedicated to “Rural Women,” a local development organization. Over the past year, brandnü has contributed to a variety of charity projects including building two rural libraries in partnership with Dulwich British School, and hosting an exhibition of works by artists from the Beijing Huiling Community for people with learning disabilities. Brandnü is supported in part by Plastered 8 T-Shirts and the JLJ Group.
WHEN: Saturday, July 10, 2010 (1-5pm) 3pm Talk by Wu Qing and brandnü associates
WHERE: Argo Greek Restaurant (Rooftop Terrace), 59 Wudaoying Hutong
CONTACT: Nathan Zhang (brandnvproject@gmail.com)
