Word Play:  The Art of Xu Bing   
2 June, 2018          
​9:30 am - 11:00 am 
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Art For The People - Xu Bing
Our final program of the season - come join First Saturday PDX  for an introduction by Dr. Ann Wetherell to one of the leading artists of the modern Chinese art scene known for his printmaking skills and monumental installation pieces.   

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.

About the speaker:  A specialist in Chinese art, Dr. Wetherell earned her doctoral degree from the University of Oregon, writing her doctoral dissertation on the symbolism of birds in paintings and poetry by Ming dynasty artist Shen Zhou.  She has taught Asian and Western art history at Pacific University, Portland State University, and University of Oregon.  Dr. Wetherell is currently a visiting assistant professor of art history at Willamette University, where she teaches classes on the art and architecture of India, China, and Japan. ​
IMAGES FROM THIS PROGRAM
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(Click on image for enlarged view)
(Click on image for enlarged view)
We are on summer hiatus and will return in the fall of 2018 with another season of intriguing programs - check back here for updates and come join us then!  Happy summer!
Our educational program series has been developed in collaboration with PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, and is free and open to the public.​  First Saturday PDX  full season schedule and descriptions available HERE

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​​​