August is typically a quiet month in the arts but here we have big news, art in toilets, enchanting installation preparations, a summer sale and more Kongkee.
A Fond Farewell..
After 12 years, Sarah Champion is leaving Chinese Arts Centre having taken the organisation from a small scale regional concern to an international development agency, working with the best contemporary Chinese artists from around the world.
Chinese Arts Centre has a strong supportive and collaborative relationship with many key arts organisations and it is anticipated that the new CEO will build on those partnerships to take the organisation forward. The Board and staff wish Sarah every success in her new role.
To take Chinese Arts Centre into its next stage of development, the Board are looking for a visionary and dynamic CEO. If you are interested in this role, or know someone who might be, please download the application form and job description and return to us before 12 noon on 12 September 2008.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
Tsang Kin-Wah
Until 28 September
In July’s newsletter we urged you to visit our toilets at the centre. We’re not strangely proud of our cisterns or anything, we just want you to check out I Love U, one of the two site-specific installations by Tsang Kin-Wah for What are you looking at? At first appearing as just a pretty pink pattern, on closer inspection the floral motif is made up of cheeky phrases in English and Chinese. Set in this private interior space, I Love U is a fun yet critical observation of modern relationships.
Breathe Artist in Residence
Ed Pien
Open Studio 25 August – 1 September
Canadian installation artist Ed Pien creates complex walk-though environments exploring our perceptions and beliefs. His beautiful installations combine diverse media to challenge our ways of seeing the world. During his residency Ed has been researching the experience and view of immigrants in the UK for his solo exhibition at the Centre next year. Don’t miss his open studio later this month as he talks about the project and presents his work in progress.
First Step Exhibition
Mediha Ting
Until 15 October
Mediha Ting’s multi-layered paintings are are patchwork of expressions that explore her experiences as a ‘modern-day nomad’ having moved between continents and cultures since childhood. For her First Step exhibition at Chinese Arts Centre Ting presents Fragmented London, a twelve-painting series of work which reflects the diversity of her current home interweaved with the collected memories Ting has experienced on her many travels.
Chinese Arts Centre Summer Sale
Come down to Chinese Arts Centre this month and bag yourself a bargain as many items in our shop are 50% off. Jewellery, mugs, playthings and trinkets are all now reduced as we prepare for our exciting new shop and tea house area. Watch this space!
Chinese arts events across the UK
Kongkee across the UK
We’ve been raving about Kongkee for a while now, with good reason though – his work wowed us during his time here and since he’s exhibiting across the UK, we recommend you view his unique animations while you can. This month is your last chance to catch Mr Dragon at Tyne and Wear Museums, while Negative Record – City with No Memory is showing at Millenium Gallery in Sheffield and if you’re in Liverpool this week be sure to catch his short films showing daily until Thursday on the BBC Big Screen.
Karen Tang in Experiment in Collaboration
Jerwood Space
Until 31 August
Former Breathe resident artist Karen Tang is collaborating with architect Daniel Sanderson as part of Jerwood’s Experiment in Collaboration. Bringing together 6 artists and 6 collaborators, the exhibition aims to open up a dialogue about collaborative working practice and will present exciting new works. Tang and Sanderson are working together to come up with ‘a Modernist building titled ‘Modern Molluscs”. Visit the exhibition blog to find out more.
China Pearl Quake Appeal Charity Show
Saturday 23 August
Cornerstone Theatre, Liverpool
In response to the disastrous 512 Sichuan a group of artists in Liverpool are presenting a variety show featuring traditional Chinese dance, contemporary dance, street dance, English and Chinese pop and Korean Martial Arts. Ticket sales and donations will help those affected by the earthquake. Tickets are £7.50 available from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. For more information about the event visit China Pearl’s myspace.
Opportunities
Powerbrokers Leadership International
Powerbrokers Leadership International Placements offers an eclectic range of international opportunities to BME creatives and those working in managerial areas of the cultural sector. The current round of placements offering awards up to £15,000 include marketing, development and curating opportunities in Beijing, Chongqing and Singapore. Deadline for applications 15 August. Visit Cultural Leadership Programme website for more information.
2009 Artist-in-Residence Taipei Open Call for International Projects
2009 AIR Taipai is calling for submissions for their 2009 residency programme from individuals and teams across the cultural and creative industries. 2009 AIR Taipei Open Call focuses on the projects in arts & culture, creative industry, and interdisciplinary and business-arts collaboration. The residency sites include the downtown Taipei Artist Village, and a new site in the Yangmingshan National Park, the Grass Mountain Artist Village. Deadline for applications 18 August. For more information and how to apply visit the Artist Village website or email artistvillage@artistvillage.org.
