Raise the Red Lantern

DATE: Sunday, November 20, 2011, 1:00 pm
SITE: St. Johns Hospital – Oakland: Education Center
27351 Dequindre Rd (West side); Madison Heights
(North of 11 Mile Rd • South of 12 Mile
Conveniently located North of I-696 and East of I-75)

Meeting Information: Patricia Beer @ (586) 558-9767

Banned in China:

Raise the Red Lantern

Raise the Red Lantern (Dà Hóng Dēnglóng Gāogāo Guà) is a 1991 film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong-Li. It is an adaption by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong. The film was later adapted into an acclaimed ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China, also directed by Zhang.

Set in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes one of the concubines of a wealthy man during the Warlord Era. It is noted for its opulent visuals and sumptuous use of colours. The film was shot in Qiao's Compound near the ancient city of Pingyao, in Shanxi Province. Although the screenplay was approved by Chinese censors, the final version of the film was banned in China for a period. Some film critics have interpreted the film as a veiled allegory against authoritarianism. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Raise the Red Lantern was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and won the BAFTA Award for the same category but was banned from the silver screen in China. Perhaps this film will be a reminder to not forget about the ongoing struggle in China for human rights and for diverse voices to be heard.

China in the 1920's. After her father's death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen has already three wives, each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master's attention carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice. And each wife schemes and plots to make sure it's hers. However, things get out of hand... Written by Mattias Pettersson

At the January 15, 2012 meeting, Dr. Russell Yamazaki will introduce 2012 with a PowerPoint presentation on the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which begins January23, 2012. - Collect your Dragon Artifacts to share with the group.

After this meeting Members & guests are invited to join us at the Mongolian Buffet for good food, good company, and interesting conversation.

Mongolian Buffet Location - Northeast corner of 12 Mile Rd. and Ryan Rd.

Ryan Rd. is the next major road East of Dequindre.

Display, Care and Handling of Kakemono

DATE: Sunday, October 16, 2011, 1:00 pm
SITE: St. Johns Hospital – Oakland: Education Center
27351 Dequindre Rd (West side); Madison Heights
(North of 11 Mile Rd • South of 12 Mile
Conveniently located North of I-696 and East of I-75)

Meeting Information: Patricia Beer @ (586) 558-9767

Video and Lecture Presentation



Display, Care and Handling

of Kakemono ~ Japanese hanging scrolls

by Russell Yamazaki, presenter

Our speaker today is Russell Yamazaki; man of many talents, medical research scientist, proficient vocal and instrumental musician plus valued member of MOAS who brought us unto the PowerPoint age, plus a collector of Japanese contemporary woodblock prints, chests and other items. Many of our speakers come to us able to use computer assisted presentations and with his help we up-graded our technology.

A significant factor which can make the acquisition of a given hanging scroll perhaps even more compelling than that of a Japanese woodblock is their UNIQUENESS. Each scroll is unique unto itself. After all, the artwork seen on nearly all Japanese hanging scrolls is indeed a true one-of-a-kind piece of art. Individually and painstakingly hand-drawn, thus, not even two "similar-appearing" pieces are alike. Hence, the added appeal of owning such a piece, the satisfaction of owning a truly unique piece of art.

Another factor supporting the acquisition of Japanese hanging scrolls as artwork is their overall intrinsic value as antiques. Their painstaking construction requires a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process. So, beyond simply the value of their unique, hand-painted artwork, each completed hanging scroll also represents numerous hours of an artisan’s time to construct. Simply stated, with Japanese scrolls you “get a lot for your money.”

In past centuries in Japan, scrolls were kept rolled in boxes and taken out only on special occasions when important guests are being entertained, after which they are returned in their boxes to be kept away from sunlight and air. It has been known for a long time that sunlight and air damages the art. On the other hand, in Ameria, we are used to displaying arts constantly, which exposes the paintings to contaminating pollutants, leading to easy deterioration. The storage boxes are made of pawlownia wood, and more expensive boxes, which are precise and airtight, are custom made of lacquered Japanese cypress for invaluable scrolls. The advantage of storage boxes is that they make less likely the exposure of the art to the dangers of sunlight and air, and are convenient for shipping and handling. However, rolling and unrolling the art may cause crimping and distortion.

Welcome Guests: All are encouraged to bring artifacts that relate to this program and Year of the Rabbit to share with the group.

Some members and guests dine together after the meeting at the Mongolian Buffet, NE corner of 12 Mile Rd. and Ryan Rd, all are welcome.

The Mongolian Buffet, rated as one of the top 100 Chinese restaurants in the US, is owned by Paul Hu, who also opened Tokyo Buffet in Southfield, after several years of successful operation of the Mongolian Buffet in Warren.

Inquiries please call (586) 558-9767 - Patricia Beer

PRIOR MEETING: Life in Ceramics: Five Contemporary Korean Artists

DATE: Sunday, May 22, 2011, 1:00 pm
SITE: St. Johns Hospital – Oakland: Education Center
27351 Dequindre Rd (West side); Madison Heights
(North of 11 Mile Rd • South of 12 Mile
Conveniently located North of I-696 and East of I-75)

Meeting Information: Patricia Beer @ (586) 558-9767

PowerPoint Presentation & Film

Life in Ceramics: Five Contemporary Korean Artists

Dr. Natsu Oyobe PhD, Presenter, Research Curator of Asian Art - The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)

Yoon Kwang-cho - Heart Sutra 2001

Red clay, slab built; covered with white slip and incised; clear glaze Collection of the artist

(right)

Yoon Kwang-cho - Meditation 1994

Red clay, slab built; white slip brushed on and incised; clear glaze Collection of the artist

(left)

Natsu Oyobe earned her Ph.D from the University of Michigan (2005) in History of Art and currently serves as Research Curator of Asian Art at The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA). She oversees the Asian collection and exhibitions at UMMA. Natsu is currently working on four exhibition projects which involve various cultures and spans of time. Multiple Impressions: Contemporary Chinese Woodblock Prints (July 16-October 23, 2011) will showcase the the extraordinary innovations, in both technique and conception, which have transformed this long-established art form in the 21st century. Another exhibition, scheduled in Fall 2012, will introduce works of a dynamic contemporary artist duo from Korea, Young-Hae Heavy Industries, who produce fast-pace, web-based video work with an acute sense of social and political criticism. The other two exhibitions will look at the Tibetan Buddhist ritual painting of Tanga, and contemporary textile works by leading Japanese artists.

Korean ceramics have been admired since the 12th century for their superb craftsmanship and original shapes, techniques, and design, as well as for their visual reflection of the culture's history and soul. This exhibition focuses on five artists with well established reputations in Korea, whose visually stunning ceramic objects acknowledge and engage with Korean clay traditions yet embody innovative, unexpected art making and conceptual approaches. Life in Ceramics brings together for the first time the work of Kim Yikyung, Lee In Chin, Lee Kang Hyo, Lee Young-jae, and Yoon Kwang-cho. These contemporary ceramicists take familiar, everyday forms such as bowls and vases as a starting point from which to explore the astonishing beauty of these shapes as works of art. Each produces work grounded in Korea’s ancient ceramic traditions, but takes it in new and often surprising directions. Objects from each artist’s everyday ware collection will also be shown, so that visitors can examine how each artist makes the distinction between fine art and functional design.

UMMA's collection of Korean Art grew more than five-fold in 2004, when the Museum acquired nearly 250 objects, including ceramics, brassware, and furniture. With this addition, UMMA is able to present a comprehensive survey of Korean ceramics - Korea's most distinct and enduring art form - spanning from the third to the nineteenth centuries. The Korean collection continues to expand with the recent acquisition of lacquer ware, painting, and calligraphy.

- If you are interested in joining a gathering at Tokyo buffet in Southfield in July, please contact Patricia at (586) 558-9767. Notices will only be sent to people who notify Patricia of their interest.

- MOAS members have been invited for a potluck luncheon at a member's home in West Bloomfield in late summer or early fall, date to be determined.

- Members and Guests are encouraged to bring Korean artifacts to share with the group. Join us at Mongolian Buffet, 12 Mile & Ryan, for dinner after the meeting.

- Visit our web site, type: Michigan Oriental Art Society in your search engine.

Meeting Location: St John's Hospital - Oakland Education Center, 27351 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights - - North of 11 Mile Rd. (I696) & East of I75