AESTHETIC INNOVATIONS. Portlanders will soon be able to learn about Chinese design trends at "China Design Now," an exhibit scheduled for display at the Portland Art Museum from October 10, 2009 through January 17, 2010. Pictured is "Hi Panda," 2006, by Ji Ji. (Image courtesy of the Portland Art Museum)

From The Asian Reporter, V19, #31 (August 11, 2009), page 13.

By Julie Stegeman

The 2008 Summer Olympics offered the world a taste of the design innovation currently happening in China with the unique structures built in Beijing for the event — including the Bird’s Nest stadium and the Water Cube aquatics center. Portlanders will soon be able to learn much more about Chinese design trends at "China Design Now," an exhibit and associated events hosted by the Portland Art Museum (PAM) from October 10, 2009 through January 17, 2010.

At an informational presentation about the upcoming display, PAM executive director Brian Ferriso described the exhibit, which explores the graphic design, fashion, interior design, and architecture trends taking place in China. Ferriso explained that the Chinese government wanted to become competitive in the business market, and to that end decided they "didn’t want to be known as ‘Made in China’ anymore, they wanted to be known as ‘Innovated in China’" to change the country’s image in the rest of the world. The Chinese government invested in more than 550 institutions providing design instruction, resulting in the current boom in innovative design.

Ferriso said the show is designed "to give a sense of how big, how massive, and how large the population is of China." The country — with its 1.3 billion people making up one fifth of the globe’s population — is too large to explore as a whole, so the exhibit narrows its focus to design taking place in three cities: Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing.

"China Design Now" highlights posters, advertisements, books, ’zines, animation, and consumer products from Shenzhen, known as the birthplace of contemporary Chinese graphic design. The city is the beneficiary of the country’s first Special Economic Zone — the world’s largest manufacturing center.

Runway trends, interior design, and household furnishings are featured from Shanghai, a city known for its innovations in fashion and decorating. Included in the exhibit are the Crystal Bar, taken from the TMSK restaurant and installed as part of the display, and fashion photography by Chen Man.

In addition to the structures built for the Olympics, the exhibit’s focus on Beijing includes photos and architectural models of the city’s airport terminal, skyscrapers, hotels, and residences.

Many of the design objects featured bring a modern twist to objects from the past. PAM curator of Asian art Maribeth Graybill feels this complements the museum’s collection of Chinese art, which spans five millennia, from the Neolithic to the modern period.

During the exhibit, PAM is collaborating with various other organizations — including White Bird, the University of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest College of Art, and Wieden + Kennedy — as well as artists, musicians, composers, architects, and others, on a series of performances, lectures, panel discussions, and more intimate, informal conversations high- lighting China’s creativity and design.

Choreographer, dancer, director, painter, and designer Shen Wei is scheduled to perform with Shen Wei Dance Arts in RE: I and RE: III on Wednesday, November 11. He will also participate in a talk about becoming an artist in China and emerging opportunities for artists today with PAM chief curator Bruce Guenther on Thursday, November 12.

Composer Xiaogang Ye of the Beijing Conservatory is featured in a roundtable discussion about current music in China on Sunday, October 18 and will perform works by contemporary Chinese composers on Thursday, October 22.

"We are envisioning this exhibition as a kind of catalyst and opportunity for the whole city to think with us about what ‘China Design Now’ means and to spark lots of conversations in the city," said Tina Olsen, PAM director of education and public programs.

Portland marks the final stop on the exhibit’s tour and is the only venue to host "China Design Now" on the west coast. To learn more, call (503) 226-2811 or visit <www.portlandartmuseum.org/exhibitions/feature/China-Design-Now>.