2017 - 2018 Schedule
Welcome to the First Saturday PDX current season, our seventeenth year of sharing China-related subjects. We have an intriguing new collection of programs beginning September 9, 2017 running through June 2, 2018.
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Developing Patronage: Chinese and Asian Pacific Heritage
Steve M. Greenwood September 9, 2017 9:30 - 11:00 am Imagining an express and banking business connecting the East Coast with the gold fields out in the West, Wells Fargo opened offices in New York, Sacramento, and San Francisco in 1852. From its archives and History Museum, an illustrated lecture will take us on a journey of how Wells Fargo has served the unique needs of Chinese and Asian Pacific people. Further information and images: http://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/developing-patronage-chinese-and-asian-pacific-heritage.html |
Every Plant Has a Story to Tell: Bamboo
Martin Nicholson
October 7, 2017 10:30 - 11:30 am
Bamboo, has historically played a functional role in the daily lives of the Chinese, including work, study, cuisine, and art. It symbolizes humility, endurance, flexibility and righteousness; qualities which a scholar strives to emulate. Enjoy a tour led by the Curator of Hoyt Arboretum of its Bamboo Forest to learn about this member of the grass family.
Further information and images:
http://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/every-plant-has-a-story-to-tell-bamboo.html
Martin Nicholson
October 7, 2017 10:30 - 11:30 am
Bamboo, has historically played a functional role in the daily lives of the Chinese, including work, study, cuisine, and art. It symbolizes humility, endurance, flexibility and righteousness; qualities which a scholar strives to emulate. Enjoy a tour led by the Curator of Hoyt Arboretum of its Bamboo Forest to learn about this member of the grass family.
Further information and images:
http://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/every-plant-has-a-story-to-tell-bamboo.html
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Wonders to Enjoy: Chinese Snuff Bottles
Dennis Lee November 4, 2017 9:30 - 11:00 am As technological and artistic wonders developed during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Chinese snuff bottles represent a microcosm of the artistic achievements of that period. These small flasks, made to carry scented, powdered tobacco for snuffing, were uniquely designed to be held in the palm of one’s hand. This is an illustrated lecture about the history and forms of snuff bottles, which occupy a unique place in the rich tapestry of Chinese art history and have captivated people and collectors around the world. Further information and images: http://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/wonders-to-enjoy-chinese-snuff-bottles.html |
Exploring Hell Tales from Sichuan:
Chinese Shadow Theater
Mary Hirsch
December 2, 2017 9:30 - 11:00 am
This presentation will share and demonstrate a series of interesting tales (historical and vernacular) which are part of the regional Sichuan Shadow Theater tradition to encourage people to do good and avoid evil. Several themes will be explored via images and a synopsis of one or two popular Shadow Theater plays.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/sichuan-shadow-theater-messages-from-hell-courts.html
Chinese Shadow Theater
Mary Hirsch
December 2, 2017 9:30 - 11:00 am
This presentation will share and demonstrate a series of interesting tales (historical and vernacular) which are part of the regional Sichuan Shadow Theater tradition to encourage people to do good and avoid evil. Several themes will be explored via images and a synopsis of one or two popular Shadow Theater plays.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/sichuan-shadow-theater-messages-from-hell-courts.html
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Legacy of the Qing Manchu Culture: The Sibe of Northwest China
Dr. Stephen Wadley January 6, 2018 9:30 - 11:00 am Originating from the mountainous regions of what was once Manchuria, the Qianlong Emperor in 1764 ordered the transfer of 18,000 Sibe to protect China’s NW frontier borderlands in Xinjiang. The Sibe form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by China and have preserved their culture and language, which today is believed to be the closest existing dialect to that of the Manchu. Join us for this introduction of the Sibe. Further information and images: https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/legacy-of-the-qing-manchu-culture-the-sibe-of-northwest-china.html |
Chinese New Year Brunch: Welcoming the Year of the Earth Dog, 4716
First Saturday PDX Planning Committee
February 3, 2018 11:30 - 1:30 pm
A time to celebrate the Lunar New Year 4716 with friends of First Saturday PDX. Come join us at Szechuan Chef Restaurant and view the Chinese New Year Brunch 2018 page for more details and images.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/chinese-new-year-brunch-2018.html
First Saturday PDX Planning Committee
February 3, 2018 11:30 - 1:30 pm
A time to celebrate the Lunar New Year 4716 with friends of First Saturday PDX. Come join us at Szechuan Chef Restaurant and view the Chinese New Year Brunch 2018 page for more details and images.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/chinese-new-year-brunch-2018.html
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Classical Tradition: Ancient Musical Instruments of China
Jerry Lin March 3, 2018 9:30 - 11:00 am (NEW DATE) Traditional Chinese music can be traced back to 7000 -8000 years and developed for ritual and pleasure. The presentation will explore a myriad of ancient instruments with their diverse construction, musical sounds and usages. Further information and images: https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/classical-tradition-ancient-musical-instruments-of-china.html |
Ancient Traders of the Silk Road: The Uyghur People of Xinjiang
Dr. Bahtiyar Tuersun
April 7, 2018 9:30 - 11:30 am (NEW DATE)
From the Han Dynasty (207 BCE – 220 CE), the Ancient Silk Road brought together peoples from diverse cultures for inter-regional trade and commerce and the exchange of religions, customs and ideas. This presentation will focus on the Uyghurs and introduce us to their culture, including language, religion, dress, music, dance, art and cuisine.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/ancient-traders-of-the-silk-road-the-uyghur-people-of-xinjiang.html
Dr. Bahtiyar Tuersun
April 7, 2018 9:30 - 11:30 am (NEW DATE)
From the Han Dynasty (207 BCE – 220 CE), the Ancient Silk Road brought together peoples from diverse cultures for inter-regional trade and commerce and the exchange of religions, customs and ideas. This presentation will focus on the Uyghurs and introduce us to their culture, including language, religion, dress, music, dance, art and cuisine.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/ancient-traders-of-the-silk-road-the-uyghur-people-of-xinjiang.html
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"Starting in the empty nothingness, the dark purity",
A Third-century Poetic Description of How the Cosmos Began Dr. K.E. Brashier April 28, 2018 9:30 - 11:00 am (NEW DATE) Through the 144-line “Poetic Exposition on Heaven and Earth”, the lecture will walk us through the formation of the cosmos through surveys of early Chinese cosmology, astronomy, and geography by Chenggong Sui (231 - 273). Contemporaneous images from Han burials and excavated relics will be referenced to illustrate the poem’s verses. Further information and images: https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/poetic-exposition-on-heaven-and-earth.html |
Word Play: The Art of Xu Bing
Dr. Ann Wetherell
June 2, 2018 9:30 - 11:00 am
At the 1989 China/Avant-Garde exhibition in Beijing, Xu Bing (b.1955) exhibited Book from the Sky, a monumental installation of woodblock printed books and scrolls filled with four thousand made-up characters. This giant ‘book’ could not be read. Initially provoking outrage from the government and educated elite, it still garnered praise from the avant-garde and is now one of the most important Chinese works of art of the 20th century. Starting with Book from the Sky, Dr. Wetherell will explore Xu Bing’s use of language as a medium of artistic expression.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/word-play-the-art-of-xu-bing1.html
Dr. Ann Wetherell
June 2, 2018 9:30 - 11:00 am
At the 1989 China/Avant-Garde exhibition in Beijing, Xu Bing (b.1955) exhibited Book from the Sky, a monumental installation of woodblock printed books and scrolls filled with four thousand made-up characters. This giant ‘book’ could not be read. Initially provoking outrage from the government and educated elite, it still garnered praise from the avant-garde and is now one of the most important Chinese works of art of the 20th century. Starting with Book from the Sky, Dr. Wetherell will explore Xu Bing’s use of language as a medium of artistic expression.
Further information and images:
https://www.firstsaturdaypdx.org/word-play-the-art-of-xu-bing1.html
Our instructive programs are developed in collaboration with PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, and are free 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
