ANNUAL CHINA FESTIVAL 2008

presented Jan. 15-March 15, 2008 by the

US China Peoples Friendship Association-Chicago Chapter and hosted, in 2008, by the

University of Chicago’s Center for East Asian Studies and International House*

(see www.uscpfa.org/chicago; www.ihouse.uchicago.edu; www.uchicago.edu)

 

ALSO CELEBRATING the BEIJING OLYMPICS-AUGUST 2008

 

Includes up to 10 or so events, including the following planned events:

·        Annual China Symposium 2008, presented Sat., Jan. 26, 2008 by the USCPFA-Chi. Chapter at the International House* and showcasing scholars and officials of Chicagoland universities, museums and companies with China activities and celebrating the 34th Anniversary of the USCPFA and its Chicago Chapter (see attached Speakers Chart and Registration Announcement).

·        USCPFA Annual Beijing/China Friendship Art Exhibit 2008, 

Jan. 15-March 15, 2008 at UofC’s Regenstein Library,* main Reference Room, ground floor, which is scheduled to feature the following combination of works from three principal locations in China:

o        Chinese Folk Art from Beijing, featuring works by Masters of dough figurine sculpture, kite art and craft,  paper-cutting art, and Snuff Bottle Painting (exquisite painting from inside the bottle)

o        Contemporary Art from the China Academy of Art, up to 15 works by professors of the China Academy of Art, one of the 3 top art schools in China, in Hangzhou, a cultural soul of China and self-styled “City of Lovers” (photographs of art works)

o        Ancient Chu Culture Artifacts and Archeology up to 20 photos from Hubei Province Archeological Institute, representing the advance of the ancient Yellow River civilizations of the Shang and Zhou dynasties south to incorporate the mid-Yangtse River region in connection with the formation of China, 200 BC-200AD (photos).

o        Splendid Sceneries in China up to 30 photos of favorite and legendary sites in China by prominent Beijing photographer, Mr. Chi Yujie

·        Annual Beijing Artist Delegation Visit to Chicagoland by Delegation of Folk Artists in Jan. 2008, with visits planned to various Chicagoland suburban high and middle schools and other locations.

·        Suburban High School Bus Tours of Art Exhibit w/Talks on China Topics (targeted for selected schools in Feb./March, 2008)

·         Bi-Weekly, or so, “China Talks” on a variety of topics on China (e.g., art, culture, society) are planned throughout the Annual China Festival 2008, to be scheduled principally and alternatively at University of Chicago locations (e.g., Franke Institute at Regenstein Library; Auditorium at Center for Art of East Asia (adjacent to 5835 S. Kimbark Ave., Chi. 60637), and International House  (Titles, Dates and Speakers To Be Determined, locations subject to modification).

FOR RESERVATIONS/INFO CONTACT: Leslie Webster, 312.553.1440; email hkp@hkp-customs.com, (incidate “USCPFA” in subject line).

*LOCATIONS: INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, 1414 East 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637-2997; REGENSTEIN LIBRARY, 1100 East 57th St., Chicago, IL 60637 See I-House website and www.uchicago.edu for info re: public transportation (CTA and METRA) and University Parking facilities; also parking is said to be available on streets near I-House. University Main Parking Garage at 56th St./Ellis Ave., 1 bl. N. of Regenstein Lib, 7 bl. NW From I-Hse.                                                           CfaACF08PubAnn1308

 

Dinner Reception on Jan. 22, Evening For

BEIJING FOLK ARTIST DELEGATION 2008,

To Exhibit their Works and Demonstrate their Techniques

5:30-6:30 pm Cocktails, 6:30-8:30 pm Dinner, $30 per person + cocktails

House of Fortune Restaurant, 2407 S. Wentworth Ave., Chinatown

Masters of Dough Figurine Sculpture, Kite Art & Craft, Paper-Cutting Art and Snuff Bottle Painting (exquisite painting from inside the bottle)

Presented by the US China Peoples Friendship Association-Chicago Chapter,

Celebrating its 34th Anniversary in 2008, www.uscpfa.org/chicago,

INTRODUCING THE
USCPFA ANNUAL BEIJING/CHINA FRIENDSHIP ART EXHIBIT 2008
Jan. 15- March 15, 2008, (details on p. 2)
Folk Art/Contemporary Art/Ancient Chu Culture Artifacts/Photos of Scenic China Sites
CELEBRATING THE BEIJING OLYMPICS, August 2008

 

Today, folk art is valued and appreciated, not only in its own right, and as living history, but also for its incorporation into, and inspiration for, the vanguard of mainstream contemporary art.  As examples of the latter, the New York City Art World has been taken by storm by folk art derivatives, from the Whitney Art Museum’s exhibit of Kara Walker’s startling paper cuts to MOMA’s exhibit of Martin Puryear’s woodworking art, based on carpentry and other crafts.  From whichever perspective you choose to view and admire it, these genres from China are worth seeing and learning about.

 

SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF VISITING MASTER FOLK ARTISTS

 

            Ha Yiqi, Kite Making, male, born on March 25, 1954, Hui Nationality, is the fourth generation successor of the Ha Family kite making masters.  As a first grade master of arts and crafts in Beijing Ha  concurrently acts as Vice President of Beijing Folk Artist Association, Council Member of Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Deputy Secretary General of Beijing Kite Association. He was engaged by the China Art Research Institute as a Researcher of Folk Art Creation in 2005. The title “Outstanding Successor of Chinese Folk Art” was bestowed on him by the China Federation of Literature and Art Circles and the China Folk Artist Association in 2007. His Kite exhibition has been sent to many countries such as USA, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.

Gao Dongsheng, Snuff Bottle Painting, male, born on April 22, 1964, is an artist of snuff bottle painting, council member of Beijing Folk Art Association and is a great master of arts and crafts in Beijing. The title “Folk Artist” was bestowed on him by UNESCO in 1996. He took part in culture exchange activities in USA, Canada, Britain, Italy, Denmark and Spain. He painted a portrait for then British Prime Minister Margaret Hilda Thatcher and President of the International Olympic Committee Antonio Samaranch and presented to them as gifts.

Yu Weishun, Dough Figurine Making, male, born on April 5, 1955, is an artist of dough figurine sculpture.  The title “Folk Artist” was bestowed on him by UNESCO in 1996. He went to USA, Britain and Thailand to show his dough figurine sculpture art.

                                                                                                            CfaBFLA08DelArtistsPubAnnRev1608DE
 
USCPFA ANNUAL BEIJING/CHINA FRIENDSHIP ART EXHIBIT 2008
Jan. 15- March 15, 2008
Folk Art/Contemporary Art/Ancient Chu Culture Artifacts/Photos of Scenic China Sites
Hosted, in 2008, by the University of Chicago at its main Regenstein Library,

main Reference Room, Ground Floor, 1100 East 57th St., Chicago, IL 60637

Presented by the US China Peoples Friendship Association-Chicago Chapter,

Celebrating its 34th Anniversary in 2008, www.uscpfa.org/chicago

CELEBRATING THE BEIJING OLYMPICS, August 2008

Campus Main Parking Garage. is 1 block N. of the Library, at 56th St. and Ellis Ave.;  For directions,

maps, and Public Transportation (CTA and METRA) see http://www.uchicago.edu; Hours? See same website: “Libray, Regenstein”

VISIT the following EXHIBITS:

·        Chinese Folk Art from Beijing, featuring works by Masters of the following genres: Dough Figurine sculpture, Kite art and craft, Paper-Cutting art, and Snuff Bottle Painting (exquisite painting from inside the bottle)

·        Contemporary Art from the China Academy of Art: up to 15 works by professors of the China Academy of Art, one of the 3 top art schools in China, in Hangzhou, a cultural soul of China and self-styled “City of Lovers” (photographs of art works)

·        Ancient Chu Culture Artifacts and Archeology up to 20 photos from the Hubei Province Archeological Institute, representing the advance of the ancient Yellow River civilization south to incorporate the mid-Yangtse River region in connection with the formation of China, c. 200 BC. (Such region consists of present-day Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces; Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province and a de-facto capital of the Chu Culture region, has been called the “Chicago” of China.)  Also includes recently discovered ancient manuscripts from the Shanghai museum which re-define and illuminate Ancient Chu Culture (photos).

·        Splendid Sceneries in China,  Exhibit of up to 30 photos of memorable sites in China by prominent Beijing photographer, Mr. Chi Yujie

 

Contemporary Art From the China Academy of Art

For generation after generation since its 1928 founding, the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, an ancient cultural soul of China, has fostered the artistic development of modern Chinese culture by cultivating the leaders of that activity, including the following:

·        Pan Tianshou and Huang Binhong, who helped lay and maintain the foundation of China’s art in the modern world

·        Lin Fengmian and Wu Dayu, who pioneered the blending together of the elements of the art of East and West; and

·        Liu Kaiqu and Mo Pu, who acted as vanguard generals in publicizing the new art revolution and Zeitgeist in China.

Large numbers of internationally renowned and prolific artists, designers, art theorists and art educators have studied or taught at the China Academy of Art.