CINCINNATI (August 7, 2008) On Oct. 18, 2008, the Cincinnati Art Museum will present China Design Now, the first exhibition in the U.S. to explore the recent explosion of new design in China, where dynamic economic development and rapid cultural change are fueling unprecedented innovation in the country’s design industries. The exhibition features the work of emerging and established Chinese fashion designers, graphic artists, and architects—as well as major projects in China by Western architects and designers—exploring how Chinese designers are mixing global influences with their own perspectives and history.
China Design Now is structured in three sections, leading visitors on a journey along China’s eastern coast: through Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. Each city is a starting point for the exploration of different design fields—graphic design and visual culture in Shenzhen, fashion and lifestyle in Shanghai, and architecture and the city in Beijing.
Yung Ho Chang, one of China’s most accomplished architects and head of MIT’s Department of Architecture, designs the installation for the Cincinnati Art Museum’s presentation of China Design Now. Chang’s design creates three visually distinct styles for each of the cities featured in the exhibition. The galleries evoke the character of each city through the use of different materials, textures, and construction methods –a shimmering cloud-like canopy over Shenzhen, translucent fabrics cantilevered from the wall suggest the new world in Shanghai, and hard block surfaces evoke the burgeoning construction in Beijing –now one and a half times the size of Manhattan.
“The Western world should be ready for the tremendous impact Chinese design will present in the next five to ten years, which will be similar to the significant presence of Chinese contemporary visual arts on the international scene,” said Aaron Betsky, director of the Cincinnati Art Museum. “China is a country eager to re-embrace its tradition of innovation and to create an international influence in the world of design. This exhibition supports the Museum’s new commitment to bring global perspectives to Cincinnati as well as to help visitors more fully understand contemporary art and design.”
China Design Now showcases over 250 objects across architecture, fashion, and graphic design, as well as film, photography, product and furniture design, youth culture, and digital media. This exhibition enables visitors to explore how China’s design and consumer dreams began, how and why they are developing, and—most importantly—where they are going.
“The role of the independent designer is a new idea in post-reform China,” said Emily Holtrop, the Museum’s education curator. “Twenty five years ago China didn’t even have a word for a designer, let alone a design industry. This exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to appreciate the influential designs generated by China’s people at every level, from consumer goods to architecture.”
China Design Now leads visitors through three specific time periods, while examining the evolution of specific design concepts that have emerged in each of these particular cities:
·Shenzhen (Frontier City), the development of graphic design from the early 1990s to the present day
·Shanghai (Dream City), fashion and lifestyle from the mid-1990s to present day
·Beijing (Future City), architecture and urban planning spanning from 2001 to the present day
Shenzhen
Visitors begin their journey in Shenzhen and meet the dynamic people that have created a new language for its graphic design industry. In the 1980s, Shenzhen became the world’s largest manufacturing center following China’s implementation of economic reform policy. The planned city distanced itself from the political propaganda of China’s past, attracting a generation of young design students and professionals influenced by contemporary Chinese culture. Today, many of China’s cities have embraced innovative forms and styles of graphic design inspired by this fast-growing youth culture. Shenzhen is now the city with the youngest population in China, with an average age of 27 among its 10 million inhabitants.
The exhibition includes work by designers such as Wang Xu and Wang Yuefei, pioneers of cutting-edge graphic design practices that would later influence graphics produced in other Chinese cities. The exhibition also includes Chen Shaohua’s iconic poster promoting the nation’s first graphic design exhibition in 1992, which depicts two legs intertwined—one clad in traditional Chinese dress, the other in a Western-style business suit. Also included in this section are products across various genres aimed at China’s design conscious youth such as Chinese-designed album covers, books, CDs, skateboards, Nike trainers, designer toys, and t-shirts.
Shanghai
The journey continues along the coast from Shenzhen to legendary Shanghai. The historic center for embroidery and silk production, Shanghai has been considered China’s foremost international city since the 1840s; now, it’s becoming a global city on the scale of Tokyo, New York or London. Since its economic transformation in the early 1990s, a new class of trendsetters, tastemakers and designers has emerged in Shanghai. The exhibition spotlights the fashion and lifestyle that has defined the city’s cultural renaissance and examines the aspirations of middle class homeowners that serve as a major design driver. Featured works include haute couture by China’s leading designers Lu Kun and Ma Ke, glossy portraits of porcelain painted girls by Wing Shya and Chen Ma, a stool combining Chinese tradition with a modern shape by Fan Ming, and shapely tea sets by Lin Jing.
Beijing
The journey ends in Beijing, home to the imperial palace and court since 1420. In the last two decades, Beijing has emerged as a symbol of China’s growing world presence. The process of preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games led to the re-imagining of Beijing as a city for international consumption by a new generation of international architects and urban planners. A spectacular series of sports infrastructures, cultural landmarks, business facilities, and commercial housing units demonstrates the transformation of Beijing’s cityscape and embodies China’s grand ambitions on the contemporary global stage. Featured works include powerful images of the 2008 “birds nest” Olympic Games Stadium designed by Switzerland’s Herzog & de Meuron and the sleek information center Digital Beijing designed by Zhu Pei. Other projects, such as Ma Quingyun’s Father House, built from local raw materials, and the Tanghe River Red Ribbon project reclaiming a rubbish dump, focus on sustainability and preserving indigenous landscapes.
China Design Now will remain on view at the Cincinnati Art Museum Oct. 18, 2008 through Jan. 11, 2009. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students, $4 for children ages 6-17, free for members and children under age 6. The associate sponsor for Cincinnati’s showing of China Design Now is LPK, Inc.
China Design Now was organized by Victoria and Albert Museum, London. P&G Design in partnership with CincinnatiUSA.com are supporting sponsors, LPK, Inc. is the associate sponsor, and Cincinnati Magazine is the media sponsor for the Cincinnati Art Museum’s showing of China Design Now. Additional thanks to Fine Arts Fund Partners GE Aviation and U.S. Bank.
was organized by Victoria and Albert Museum, London. P&G Design in partnership with CincinnatiUSA.com are supporting sponsors, LPK, Inc. is the associate sponsor, and Cincinnati Magazine is the media sponsor for the Cincinnati Art Museum’s showing of China Design Now. Additional thanks to Fine Arts Fund Partners GE Aviation and U.S. Bank.
Programs
Public Programs
Members Opening
Friday, October 17
Be the first to see the groundbreaking exhibition making its U.S. debut in Cincinnati. Live entertainment, light refreshments, and gallery tours provided.
6-7:30 p.m. members only
7:30-9 p.m. general public
Cost: $8 general; free for members
Reservations not required. Call (513) 639-2966 for more information on how to become a member.
Lecture: Yung Ho Chang
Sunday, October 19, 2 p.m.
One of China’s most accomplished architects and head of MIT’s Department of Architecture, Yung Ho Chang talks about his design for the installation for the Art Museum’s presentation of China Design Now. Chang, whose work is included in China Design Now, established China’s first private architecture firm, atelier FCJZ in 1993 and oversees a number of high profile projects in China.
Cost: $10 general; $5 for student/seniors/ETA members; free for members
Reservations suggested
Studio Sunday: Buddhism
Sunday, October 19, 1-5 p.m.
Sketch your own masterworks in the Asian galleries. Materials and instructor provided.
Cost: Free.
Reservations not required
Art Through Five Glasses
Saturday, October 25, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m.
Sample exotic drinks from China and tour the Art Museum’s renowned collection of Asian art.
Cost: $10 general; $5 members
Reservations required
Fashion with Compassion Presented by Macy’s and Cincinnati Magazine
Thursday, October 30, 6 p.m.
Located at Macy’s Kenwood Towne Centre, Better Sportswear Department
Experience Asian-inspired fashion and refreshments, and receive special goodies. Macy’s will donate $5.00 to the Art Museum for each guest who attends.
Cost: Free. RSVP suggested. Call (513) 562-2777.
Lecture: Fei Wang
Wednesday, January 7, 7 p.m.
Discover the high-speed urbanization of China’s cultural landscape with architect, theorist and translator, Fei Wang. Co-founder of CAIP, a consortium of urban image theorists and architects speculating on architecture and image culture in contemporary China, Fei Wang is a practicing architect currently teaching at the University of Michigan.
Cost: $10 general; $5 for student/seniors/ETA members; free for members
Reservations suggested
Art in the Making: Design How?
Saturday, October 18
Teen edition: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kids edition: 2-4 p.m.
Get inspired by haute couture from China’s leading designers and pioneering architects. Parents and young children work together during this interactive art class led by local artists –teens are on their own!
Teen edition: $16 general; $8 members
Kids edition: $20 per 1 adult/1 child combination for general public; $6 for each additional person; Members: $10 per 1 adult/1 child combination; $3 for each additional person (Ages 6-12 years old must be accompanied by an adult)
Reservations required
Family First Saturday: Daring Designs
November 1, 1-4 p.m.
Make your own art, meet local graphic artist Jen Brauer, see live performances by Peraza's Music Workshop, and "The Algonquin Cinderella" by ArtReach of Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.
Cost: Free
Reservations not required
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m.
In the Mood for Love presented by Cincinnati World Cinema
In Wong Kar-Wai's poetic and visually ravishing evocation of desire, Chow (Tony Leung) and Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) become more than friends when they realize their spouses are having an affair. Elegant costumes, lavish sets, and rich, moody lighting set the tone for this stylish story of heartbreak in 1962 Hong Kong.
Cost: $9 general; $7 members, ETA/Start members, students, and military families
Reservations suggested. Call (513) 721-ARTS or visit www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Evenings for Educators: China Design Now
Wednesday, November 19, 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Learn how to incorporate the innovative fields of design, architecture, and fashion into your classroom using the exhibition China Design Now. Guest speaker Curator of Learning and Interpretation, Emily Holtrop and local educators present new lessons.
Cost: Per session - $20 general; $10 members; $5 students
Entire series- $150 general; $70 members
(Price includes ticket to China Design Now)
Reservations required
Free Art Inc. Sessions for Corporate Groups
Let the exhibition China Design Now provide a springboard for global conversations, problem solving, and creativity in your workplace during this interactive workshop led by Art Museum staff. Typically $200 per session, the Art Museum offers free Art Inc. sessions during the run of China Design Now.
Reservations required. Call (513) 639-2973.
Catalog
Coinciding with the Beijing 2008 Olympics, China Design Now is a significant and groundbreaking book that celebrates the emergence of China as an exciting new player in the field of global design. Purchase the 192-page soft cover book in the Art Museum Shop for $45. Call (513) 639-2957.
Museum Shop
Find specialty items directly from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum’s China Design Now boutique including full size posters of the Vision Magazine Cover by Chen Man, textiles by costume designer Han Fang, Cheongsam jersey dresses, and the popular mini Hi Panda dolls by JiJi. Members receive 10% off all merchandise.
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Images are available upon request.
Media Contact: Preeti Thakar
(513) 639-2954, preeti.thakar@cincyart.org