2015-2016 Schedule
Journey to the East
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Welcome Back to First Saturday PDX Brunch
Szechuan Chef Restaurant First Saturday PDX Planning Committee September 12, 2015 11:30 - 1:30 pm A gathering for friends of First Saturday PDX to visit and break bread around tables over Szechuan food while we introduce our new website and preview the program lineup for the new season September 2015 to June 2016. |
Elegant Graffiti: Art of Public Writing in Traditional China
Dr. Lei Xue, Art History, Oregon State University
October 3, 2015 9:30 - 11:00 am
Graffiti usually refers to illicit marks that confront and contradict the ordered and ordering space of institutionalized life. To the contrary, writings on public space in traditional China have often been seen as not only a way to demonstrate mastery of calligraphy, the most revered art, but also to reassure the status of the cultural and political elite. With a focus on Jiaoshan, a famous island in the Yangzi River where hundreds of inscriptions accumulated from the sixth to twentieth century, Dr. Xue’s research traces the origin of these elegant graffiti and discusses their significance in Chinese visual/literary culture.
Dr. Lei Xue, Art History, Oregon State University
October 3, 2015 9:30 - 11:00 am
Graffiti usually refers to illicit marks that confront and contradict the ordered and ordering space of institutionalized life. To the contrary, writings on public space in traditional China have often been seen as not only a way to demonstrate mastery of calligraphy, the most revered art, but also to reassure the status of the cultural and political elite. With a focus on Jiaoshan, a famous island in the Yangzi River where hundreds of inscriptions accumulated from the sixth to twentieth century, Dr. Xue’s research traces the origin of these elegant graffiti and discusses their significance in Chinese visual/literary culture.
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The Construction of Portland Lansu Chinese Garden:
A DVD Presentation John Williams, Construction Management November 7, 2015 9:30 - 11:00 am In recognition of the 15th anniversary of the Chinese Garden, we will take a look back in time to see how the Garden was constructed beginning in 1998 by craftsmen from Suzhou, China, melding together traditional Chinese tools and methodologies with seismic, handicapped access and building codes of Portland and Oregon. |
Block Printing: Advancing Knowledge, Literacy and Culture
Donald Jenkins, Curator of Asian Art Emeritus, Portland Art Museum
December 5, 2015 9:30 - 11:00 am
Printing is one of the great inventions of ancient China, which has a long history and far-reaching impact. Among the most globally significant innovations of the Tang (618–906) and Song (960–1279) dynasties were the inventions of woodblock printing and moveable type, enabling widespread publishing of a variety of texts, and the dissemination of knowledge, literacy and artistic inspiration. This technology eventually spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Europe. Ukiyo-e, a type of Japanese woodblock art print is a prominent example of woodblock printing most familiar to the West and has been showcased at the Portland Art Museum and other museums across the nation and world. Our lecture by Donald Jenkins will provide a historical perspective of this technology with its origins in Asia and a China focus, including commonalities and differences between Chinese and Japanese prints. We will learn about the basic process of how woodblock prints are made; how they have been used and how they developed over time and spread to other countries.
Donald Jenkins, Curator of Asian Art Emeritus, Portland Art Museum
December 5, 2015 9:30 - 11:00 am
Printing is one of the great inventions of ancient China, which has a long history and far-reaching impact. Among the most globally significant innovations of the Tang (618–906) and Song (960–1279) dynasties were the inventions of woodblock printing and moveable type, enabling widespread publishing of a variety of texts, and the dissemination of knowledge, literacy and artistic inspiration. This technology eventually spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Europe. Ukiyo-e, a type of Japanese woodblock art print is a prominent example of woodblock printing most familiar to the West and has been showcased at the Portland Art Museum and other museums across the nation and world. Our lecture by Donald Jenkins will provide a historical perspective of this technology with its origins in Asia and a China focus, including commonalities and differences between Chinese and Japanese prints. We will learn about the basic process of how woodblock prints are made; how they have been used and how they developed over time and spread to other countries.
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Investigating the Buried Mirror Mystery: How Should We Look at Early Chinese Artifacts?
Dr. Kenneth Brashier, Religion and Humanities, Reed College January 9, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am In a 2000 year old burial remain, an archaeologist uncovers a round bronze mirror which has been carefully positioned near the head of a Han Dynasty corpse. Why is it here? Why does every corpse in this tomb have a mirror in the same position? Why is it the same in other Han burials across China? |
What Does Popular Chinese Shadow Theater Tell Us?
Mary Hirsch
February 6, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am
Shadow Theater is a unique form of puppetry and a type of regional opera which has delighted rural and urban audiences throughout China, particularly during festivals and celebrations such as the Chinese lunar New Year. Familiar stories were depicted by itinerant shadow theater troupes.
Come enjoy Independent Scholar, Mary Hirsch’s historical introduction to this animated spectacle in miniature. Learn about its distinctive characteristics, which include highly visible and brightly colored, translucent rawhide puppets, spectacular transformations between human and supernatural forms, and a diverse repertoire from Buddhist and Daoist legends. See how the Monkey King figures into several plays, including productions where flowering plants and temple courtyards emulate special places, not unlike Portland’s own Chinese Garden.
Mary Hirsch
February 6, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am
Shadow Theater is a unique form of puppetry and a type of regional opera which has delighted rural and urban audiences throughout China, particularly during festivals and celebrations such as the Chinese lunar New Year. Familiar stories were depicted by itinerant shadow theater troupes.
Come enjoy Independent Scholar, Mary Hirsch’s historical introduction to this animated spectacle in miniature. Learn about its distinctive characteristics, which include highly visible and brightly colored, translucent rawhide puppets, spectacular transformations between human and supernatural forms, and a diverse repertoire from Buddhist and Daoist legends. See how the Monkey King figures into several plays, including productions where flowering plants and temple courtyards emulate special places, not unlike Portland’s own Chinese Garden.
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Penjing: The Living Art of Time, Space and "Place"
Mark Vossbrink March 5, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am This will be a lecture and a hands-on demonstration about the meditative vibrancy of penjing through rocks, sand, and plants in the creation of miniature landscapes which focuses on “place.” This arrangement can be a floating world within a world enabling viewers to experience an eternal moment like a zen Buddhist awakening. Because a river is a Literati metaphor for eternity in Asian art, you will observe the composition of a riverscape by penjing master Mark Vossbrink. Come experience the hidden energy and transformative power of penjing. |
Guzheng and Erhu: A Dialog Between the Strings
Dr. Jerry Lin and Emily Deng
April 2, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am
China has a rich heritage of music extending back over 7,000 years from Han Chinese and the many ethnic minorities. Confucius taught that a correct form of music is important for the cultivation and refinement of the individual and could bring harmony to nature. Taoists believe music calms the heart and purifies the mind. Virtuosos Emily Deng with a plucked and struck string on the Guzheng, and Dr Jerry Lin with a bowed string on the Erhu, will perform solos and duets from popular classical Chinese music of various regions of China. Come experience the haunting and beautiful sounds of the Guzheng and Erhu.
More details and images from this presentation here:
www.firstsaturdaypdx.com/guzheng-and-erhu-a-dialog-between-the-strings.html
Dr. Jerry Lin and Emily Deng
April 2, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am
China has a rich heritage of music extending back over 7,000 years from Han Chinese and the many ethnic minorities. Confucius taught that a correct form of music is important for the cultivation and refinement of the individual and could bring harmony to nature. Taoists believe music calms the heart and purifies the mind. Virtuosos Emily Deng with a plucked and struck string on the Guzheng, and Dr Jerry Lin with a bowed string on the Erhu, will perform solos and duets from popular classical Chinese music of various regions of China. Come experience the haunting and beautiful sounds of the Guzheng and Erhu.
More details and images from this presentation here:
www.firstsaturdaypdx.com/guzheng-and-erhu-a-dialog-between-the-strings.html
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Beyond A Scenic Spot: The Making and Remaking of West Lake
Dr. Desmond Cheung, History, Portland State University May 7, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am Hangzhou’s West Lake has been one of the most celebrated scenic spots in China for centuries and many famous poets write of its beauty. Moreover, it was an important source of water for the local area and city residents have regularly encroached upon its shoreline. Dr. Desmond Cheung will examine how in 1508, during the Ming Dynasty, a local official restored West Lake at great expense and against much opposition, thereby revealing both the lake’s continued importance and ongoing challenges to its survival. |
The Ginkgo: A Living Fossil
Martin Nicholson, Curator, Hoyt Arboretum
June 4, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am
Join our nature walk guided by the Curator of Hoyt Arboretum to discover and focus on Hoyt’s collection of Ginkgo trees. Along the White Pine trail, we will observe and learn about many other tree species, including the wild, “scary” Monkey-Puzzle tree and the ancient Bristlecone Pine.
Martin Nicholson, Curator, Hoyt Arboretum
June 4, 2016 9:30 - 11:00 am
Join our nature walk guided by the Curator of Hoyt Arboretum to discover and focus on Hoyt’s collection of Ginkgo trees. Along the White Pine trail, we will observe and learn about many other tree species, including the wild, “scary” Monkey-Puzzle tree and the ancient Bristlecone Pine.
Our educational program series has been developed in collaboration with PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, and is free of charge and open to the public.
View our regular monthly location by clicking on the address below for directions:
Portland State University, Academic & Student Recreation Ctr (ASRC), Room 230
1800 SW 6th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Excellent MAX and bus transportation is right by the venue; plan your Trimet trip HERE. There is also a nearby parking structure at SW 6th and Harrison with an entrance on 6th Avenue is also available.
View PSU Parking info:
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/hourly-visitor-parking
View our regular monthly location by clicking on the address below for directions:
Portland State University, Academic & Student Recreation Ctr (ASRC), Room 230
1800 SW 6th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Excellent MAX and bus transportation is right by the venue; plan your Trimet trip HERE. There is also a nearby parking structure at SW 6th and Harrison with an entrance on 6th Avenue is also available.
View PSU Parking info:
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/hourly-visitor-parking
