RAS Art Focus
China's Art & Aesthetics of the Past:
Essence of wooden handicrafts
Sunday, 12 January 2025
9:15 am Registration
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Curated and moderated by RAS Art Focus Convener and Art Historian Julie Chun, we return our gaze to art's history with the 2024-2025 series China's Arts and Aesthetics of the Past. Please join us for this insightful series as we delve into the material culture of the recent and distant history to assess how objects ranging from imperial patronage to utilitarian handicrafts have shaped China's aesthetics through the ages.
This month marks our second out-of-town day trip to explore the wooden and stone artifacts as an essential cultural heritage of Chinese aesthetic culture. Located in the suburbs of Suzhou, a unique museum embodies the handicraft spirit of China's wood and stone carvers. Immense in scale and collection, the Six Arts Museum was founded by an American lawyer who arrived in China over forty years ago during the early years of China's Economic Reform and Opening Up Policy (gǎigé kāifàng). Gathering and acquiring the objects being tossed or sold, Mitch Dudek amassed one of the largest collections (which continues to grow) of Chinese utilitarian objects that were constructed in wood from simple wash buckets to enormous wall panels as well as stone carved statues. Join Art Historian Julie Chun in conversation with the Six Arts Museum Curator Jason Chen on this rare art historical journey to uncover a vibrant and rich artistic past that has been slowly disappearing. Honoring the objects and the crafts-people of the recent past, come with us in discovering a mesmerizing treasure trove that narrates an unparalleled legacy of material culture in China.
Speakers
Sponsors and Partners
Tickets
RAS member and friend
RMB 450
Member Price
Buy TicketThe price is all inclusive of roundtrip bus transportation to Suzhou, elegant Chinese styled lunch at the museum’s private dining room, museum entry ticket and English guided tour by the museum Curator.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate those who require a vegetarian or vegan lunch since many of the prepared vegetarian dishes are laced with meat. We apologize for this inconvenience.Non-member
RMB 550
Public Price
Buy TicketThe price is all inclusive of roundtrip bus transportation to Suzhou, elegant Chinese styled lunch at the museum’s private dining room, museum entry ticket and English guided tour by the museum Curator.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate those who require a vegetarian or vegan lunch since many of the prepared vegetarian dishes are laced with meat. We apologize for this inconvenience.RAs China Institutional Member
RMB 450
Public Price
Buy TicketMax 5 tickets per RAS Institutional member.
The price is all inclusive of roundtrip bus transportation to Suzhou, elegant Chinese styled lunch at the museum’s private dining room, museum entry ticket and English guided tour by the museum Curator.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate those who require a vegetarian or vegan lunch since many of the prepared vegetarian dishes are laced with meat. We apologize for this inconvenience.Duke Kunshan University Community
RMB 450
Public Price
Buy TicketThe price is all inclusive of roundtrip bus transportation to Suzhou, elegant Chinese styled lunch at the museum’s private dining room, museum entry ticket and English guided tour by the museum Curator.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate those who require a vegetarian or vegan lunch since many of the prepared vegetarian dishes are laced with meat. We apologize for this inconvenience.