The contemporary-art scene in China is sizzling, and some of the leading avant-garde artists have recently become millionaires.

The exhibition, divided into two parts (the first ran this fall), doesn't break new art historical ground, but it does provide a savvy snapshot of the early-1990s Chinese contemporary-art scene.

One thing is certain, however: of all the European countries whose contemporary-art scenes started blossoming in the late 1960's and early 70's, Germany's has remained the strongest.

P Map In recent years İstanbul's contemporary-art scene has boomed.

Ms. Hunter, who has been involved in Houston's contemporary-art scene for three decades, credited the city's museums for supporting local artists.

Ms. Zittel's "High Desert Test Sites," an annual art happening (this year on May 6 and 7), is the best opportunity to experience Joshua Tree's contemporary-art scene.

"Furniture is simply a part of the contemporary-art scene," said Franklin Parrasch.

New York is becoming less and less important as a place for artists to live and work, and more and more a central "clearing house" for a global contemporary-art scene.

In recent years, a vivacious contemporary-art scene has formed, but so has an atmosphere of right-wing xenophobia.

"The first night-time trail through the streets of Paris and its contemporary-art scene took place on 5 October 2002, and the opportunity for anyone to explore artistic creation for a night has come back every year since."