Chinese past, present and future on display at Crossman Gallery

October 28, 2008

The 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing put China in the world’s spotlight.  For people interested in deepening their view of China’s past, present and future, there will be a showcase of Chinese video and photography at the Crossman Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Oct. 28-Nov. 22, 2008.

 The exhibit, RUINS, is curated by Chinese artist Zhang Zhaohui and organized by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Institute of Visual Arts in the Peck School of Arts. There will be an opening reception on Oct. 28 from 5-7 p.m.  Crossman Gallery Director Michael Flanagan and Art Professor Xiaohong Zhang will give opening remarks at 5 p.m.

RUINS focuses on China’s fast-growing and quick-changing society along with its traditional history and culture. The contemporary artists will showcase work that portrays the building of a new cultural identity of China while the traditional artists will reflect upon such ideas of China’s corrupt political system and deteriorating environmental conditions.

The artists will show images resembling the ruins of traditional culture, patriotism and revolutionary ideals.

“This will be a great opportunity for people to follow up on the spirit of exploration that began with the Olympics in Bejing and to get a sense of cultural achievements of a very gifted group of Chinese artists working in the medium of photography and video,” Flanagan said.

The Crossman Gallery will add six new works from this exhibit by artists Liu Ren, Liu Bolin and Xu ChangChang to its permanent collection. All six of the permanent works will be on display during the RUINS exhibit.

Other artist’s to be showcased include: Zhang Dali, Li Wei, Liu Wei, the Gao Brothers, Liu Jin, Chen Quilin, Huang Yan, Ma Yongfeng, Xing Danwen, Zhang Wei, Li Luming, Sheng Qi, Cheng Qingqing and Ng Fong Chao.

For more information, contact Flanagan at 262-472-5708 or flanagam@uww.edu.

The Crossman Gallery, free and open to the public, is located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, 950 W. Main St., on the UW-Whitewater campus.  Its hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 6-8 p.m., Monday through Thursday evening; and 1-4 p.m. Saturday.