The show Anselm Kiefer in China comes into media spotlight even before its opening on Saturday, because the German artist whose works are on show, accused the organizers of excluding him from the process. CHEN YAN/CHINA DAILY

German artist Anselm Kiefer protests over the holding of his first show in China - and the organizers say they are within their rights to do so, Deng Zhangyu reports.

Despite German artist Anselm Kiefer's protest, the first large-scale show of his works in China opened to the public at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum in Beijing on Saturday.

The artist said he wasn't involved with the ongoing exhibition titled Anselm Kiefer in China.

The show, which is being held at the art museum of the academy, displays more than 80 pieces by Kiefer, a leading figure in German neo-expressionism movement since the 1960s, covering sculptures, paintings, installations and photos.

In the last few days, a heated debate surfaced on Chinese social media about ethical and legal aspects of the show, which is not only a solo exhibition but that of a prominent living artist whose agreement wasn't forthcoming.