2023 - 2024 Season Schedule
Welcome to the First Saturday PDX 2023 - 2024 Season! Although all our events are free, registration is required for each event, both online and in person; available on the Upcoming Presentation page and program announcements. We look forward to you joining us!.
We start this season with a private tour of the works of artist Hung Liu on exhibit at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU, and continue with an in situ view of Dr Michael Riley's collection of fine antique Chinese textiles, an update on the prolific art of Xu Bing, a discussion of the Role of Hakka Women as they developed within and outside of China, and a detailed look at the Celestial Bridges of China.
Each program will be followed by a family style no-host lunch at a Chinese restaurant for in person programs, or a half hour of further discussion and socializing in our virtual First Saturday PDX Tea House for the online programs. This season begins on 9 September, 2023 running through 8 June, 2024.
We start this season with a private tour of the works of artist Hung Liu on exhibit at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU, and continue with an in situ view of Dr Michael Riley's collection of fine antique Chinese textiles, an update on the prolific art of Xu Bing, a discussion of the Role of Hakka Women as they developed within and outside of China, and a detailed look at the Celestial Bridges of China.
Each program will be followed by a family style no-host lunch at a Chinese restaurant for in person programs, or a half hour of further discussion and socializing in our virtual First Saturday PDX Tea House for the online programs. This season begins on 9 September, 2023 running through 8 June, 2024.
|
First Saturday PDX's Dim Sum/ Yum Cha Brunch
HK Cafe Eastport Plaza Shopping Center 9 September, 2023 Welcome back! Our new season is here and we're beginning with a meal with friends ! Come join us for dim sum also known as "yum cha" - a casual no host brunch where we catch up over many mouth watering dishes of "heart's delight". The diversity of the dishes allows us to include gluten free selections and we will try our best to accommodate other food allergies. Further information and images here |
|
A QUESTION OF HU: THE NARRATIVE ART OF HUNG LIU
From the Collections of Jordan D Schnitzer and his Family Foundation Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University 7 October, 2023 A private tour of the works of the groundbreaking Chinese American artist Hung Liu (1948–2021). Her highly narrative images foregrounded workers, immigrants, refugees, women, children, and soldiers in haunting, incandescent portraits, mingling Chinese and Western artistic traditions. Further information and gallery here |
|
|
"Mother of all Technologies":
Accumulating Culture Through Chinese Textiles Part 1 Dr Michael Riley 4 November, 2023 An interactive lecture with Dr Michael Riley on the history of Chinese textiles as we demystify the elegance of Chinese antique court robes and textiles used for ceremonial and ritual purposes developed uniquely for men and women. The presentation will include history, cosmology and iconography, showcasing hierarchical silk robes such as a Dragon Robe, Banner Robe and a Robe of a Prince. Further information here |
|
"Mother of all Technologies":
Accumulating Culture Through Chinese Textiles Part 2 Dr Michael Riley 2 December, 2023 This sequel lecture on Chinese textiles will continue the in-depth and interactive learning experience as Dr Michael Riley showcases additional antique silk textiles that exemplify the unique historical attributes of the garments, including masterful weaving techniques and skillful needlework. These examples will be available for up-close and hands-on viewing. Further information here |
|
|
Xu Bing: Beyond the Book from the Sky
Ann Wetherell, Ph.D. 6 January, 2024 In 1988, the Chinese artist Xu Bing (b.1955) had an installation in Beijing of four hand-made woodblock printed volumes comprised entirely of four thousand made-up Chinese characters that cannot be decoded. This raised fundamental questions about the Chinese identity and its relationship to the written word. Since the creation of this internationally renowned Book from the Sky (1987- 1994), the artist has explored language, script, and sign as both subject matter and artistic material in works of printmaking, calligraphy, film, assemblage, and installation, that are now found throughout the world. Further information here |
|
Spring Banquet Lunch
YEAR OF THE DRAGON 木龍 Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant 17 February, 2024 12:15 - 2:30 pm 春節 ! We celebrate our continuing programs, the new Year of the Dragon and the coming spring with our Spring Banquet. This is a delicious multi-course lunch including a specialty unique to Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant: Boneless Whole Chicken Stuffed with Savoury Glutinous Rice, and other auspicious dishes. There will be a small Raffle with some special prizes. Further information here |
|
|
YEAR OF THE DRAGON 木龍
10 February, 2024 Year 4722 in the Chinese Lunar Calendar (solar year 2024) is the year of the Wood Dragon, 木龍 (mù lóng). This year the first day of the lunar year is 10 February. Also known as the Spring Festival, 春節 (chūenjié), this holiday is celebrated for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival Further information here. |
|
Making Hakka Women Visible
Sharon Carstens PhD 6 April, 2024 Dr. Carstens' presentation will include both visual images and personal narratives of Hakka women in the Malaysian Chinese community of Pulai to convey the nuanced subjectivities that extend beyond the usual stereotypes, and to expand our understanding of the pleasures and challenges of Hakka female worlds. Further information here
|
|
|
Well Known and Lesser Known Plant Species from China
Martin Nicholson RESCHEDULED DUE TO POOR WEATHER! (Sep 2024) More than 30,000 plant species are native to China, representing nearly one-eighth of the world's total plant species, with thousands found nowhere else on Earth. However, varieties of bamboo, ginkgo and pine are among those which have made their way to North America, each with its own cultural significance, as will be seen in this guided walking tour of the Hoyt Arboretum. Further information here |
|
Celestial Bridges: An Introduction to Architecture Over Water and Space
From China's Past, Part 1 Dennis Lee 8 June, 2024 China has a long history of building bridges - the oldest, Anji Bridge, has stood since its completion in the year 605. Now numbering several million, China's bridges have become an important symbol of ancient Chinese civilization's intelligence and ingenuity, and are the embodiment of many important Chinese characteristics. They also hold an important and essential part in the development of bridges and the history of bridge building throughout the world. Further information here Video here |
|
Our instructive program series has been developed with support by PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, Northwest China Council, Lan Su Chinese Garden and Portland Chinatown Museum. It is free and open to the public.
