Tradition and Change: A Youth Think Tank on Art and Ideas

Objectives of the Think Tank

• Provide opportunities for youth in metro Vancouver to engage with contemporary art, issues and artists

• Create a greater understanding of Chinese culture, both historical and contemporary, and the resonances between creative efforts from the past and the present

• Develop a community partnership to make the learning relevant and impactful

THE ENTRY POINT APPROACHConceptual Model for Programming

1. Narrative2. Aesthetic3. Logical4. Foundational5. Experiential

Narrative Entry PointSun Yatzen Chinese Classical Gardens

Narrative Entry PointWalking Tour of Chinatown

Aesthetic Entry PointVancouver Art Gallery tour of The Forbidden City

Imperial Throne SetQing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736-95Wood, jade, ivory , embroidered silk, laquer, cloissonne enamelThe Palace Museum

Emperor’s Ceremonial Summer Robe

Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing period, 1796-1820Silk, embroidered silkThe Palace Museum

Jar with Ten Thousand Shou Characters and Brush HolderQing dynasty, Kangxi period, 1712-13Porcelain with cobalt blue underglazeThe Palace Museum

Logical and Foundational Entry PointsVancouver Art Gallery tour of Unscrolled: Reframing

Tradition in Contemporary Chinese Art

Inking of live plants, Black Beauty: A Living TotemJennifer Wen Ma, 2014

Traces and ContainerLiu Jianhua, 2011

ContainerLiu Jianhua, 2011

Shan Shui-CosmosSun Xun, 2014

Background Story: 10,000 Li of Mountains and RiversXu Bing, 2014

Background Story: Ten Thousand Li of Mountains and Rivers (rear view) Xu Bing, 2014

BangAi Wei Wei, 2014

Student Feedback• I found the trip touching and exciting on an emotional level because, like

the film, I felt the fading culture in Chinatown. Because my parents were immigrants and I used to come to Chinatown every Saturday for Chinese school, I felt conflicted that the area was struggling with either staying as Chinatown is, undeveloped, or letting the development influence it. However, on the second day when I saw the art that hybridized traditional and contemporary art, I felt hopeful that there can be a balance between the two. This is relevant to me because I need to stay true to my values but also stay open to change.

• In the Gallery exhibition I was amazed how close I was to treasures from the past and authentic traditional clothing. I was also fascinated by the contemporary artists’ sense of creativity and effort to think out of the box in terms of tradition and change.

Experiential Entry PointStudio workshops with artist, Howie Tsui

Artist Howie Tsui with students at Prince of Wales Secondary School