From a media release:
Art Gallery of Mississauga presents:
(Da bao)(Takeout)
November 15, 2012 – January 5, 2013
Guest Curators: Shannon Anderson and Doug Lewis
with assistance from Selena Yang
Contemporary artists attempt to locate a cross-cultural and social dynamic between China and the West.
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 15, 6 pm
All are invited to attend the Opening Reception. Admission to the Gallery is FREE.
FREE bus from The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St W, Toronto) at 6pm to the Reception. Bus returns at 8pm.
Opening Night Performance by Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization
ARTISTS
Sara Angelucci and Han Xu, John Armstrong and Paul Collins, Cathy Busby, Gang Chen, Brendan Fernandes, Nan Hao, Ming Hon, Knowles Eddy Knowles, Laiwan, Minjeong Oh, Ed Pien, Shen Yi Elsie, Laurens Tan, Xiaojing Yan, and Zhang Zhaohui
Exhibition
(Da bao)(Takeout) is an attempt to locate a cross-cultural and social dynamic between China and the West, specifically Canada, by focusing on artists who investigate, adapt and instil ideas from abroad into their practices, while appreciating the palpable slippages that occur in the transference of ideas from one ethnicity to another. The selected artists explore ironic, metaphoric, humorous and even cynical perspectives on the import and export of people, cultures and ideas.
The title of the exhibition refers to occurrences of social and cultural shifts between people and places, using food as a metaphor for how we “digest” other cultures. Throughout China, Western fast-food chains are spreading quickly (including McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks), keeping pace with the country’s hunger for economic growth. Chinese food has long been a favourite takeout food. Ironically, the ubiquitous white cardboard container used in the West for takeout Chinese food is completely unknown in China, and thus, the box becomes an iconic symbol of everyday misunderstandings.
Culture, in general, can be regarded as a system of delivering ideas from one group of people to another. In this way, (Da bao)(Takeout) addresses the metaphorical concept of delivery and interpretation of cultural identity. Artworks from both countries challenge and play with the different cultural conventions and restrictions that exist between East and West.
The artists in this exhibition are a mix of second- or third-generation Chinese-Canadians, Chinese who have travelled abroad to study art, and Canadians who have travelled to China for residencies or exhibitions. They share the experience of being “taken out” of familiar contexts and encountering a strikingly different culture. While their individual voices each occupy a unique position, collectively, they speak to issues of cultural transference, highlighting the gaps, distances and misunderstandings inherent in communication across cultural divides.
Events
Saturday, November 24, 1 pm, A Walk through the history and contemporary constructs of Toronto’s East Chinese Village
Join artist Morris Lum and historian and community activist Valerie Mah on a 2 hour walk in Toronto’s East Chinese Village.
Tuesday, November 27, 1 pm, Chinese Cooking Demo!
Have lunch on the AGM! Join Professional Chefs as they illustrate simple, healthy, and fast ways to connect with traditional and contemporary Chinese Cuisine. RSVP.
Friday, November 30, 11 am – 2 pm, Chinese Folktales and Folklore
Presented by professional storytellers and image makers
Engage in the rich storytelling tradition of the ancient Chinese world of myths, metaphors and dragons. Captured and presented by Art Historian, Artists and Thinkers.
Images:
Sara Angelucci and Han Xu, Your Morning Is My Night, (detail from series), 2007, chromogenic prints, series of 48 photographs, each 30.5 x 45.7 cm. Courtesy of the artists.
ART GALLERY OF MISSISSAUGA
300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ON L5B 3C1
905 896 5088
M, T, W, F 10-5 Thurs 10-8 Sat, Sun 12-4
artgalleryofmississauga.com
Art Gallery of Mississauga presents:
(Da bao)(Takeout)
November 15, 2012 – January 5, 2013
Guest Curators: Shannon Anderson and Doug Lewis
with assistance from Selena Yang
Contemporary artists attempt to locate a cross-cultural and social dynamic between China and the West.
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 15, 6 pmAll are invited to attend the Opening Reception. Admission to the Gallery is FREE.
FREE bus from The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St W, Toronto) at 6pm to the Reception. Bus returns at 8pm.
Opening Night Performance by Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization
ARTISTS
Sara Angelucci and Han Xu, John Armstrong and Paul Collins, Cathy Busby, Gang Chen, Brendan Fernandes, Nan Hao, Ming Hon, Knowles Eddy Knowles, Laiwan, Minjeong Oh, Ed Pien, Shen Yi Elsie, Laurens Tan, Xiaojing Yan, and Zhang Zhaohui
Exhibition(Da bao)(Takeout) is an attempt to locate a cross-cultural and social dynamic between China and the West, specifically Canada, by focusing on artists who investigate, adapt and instil ideas from abroad into their practices, while appreciating the palpable slippages that occur in the transference of ideas from one ethnicity to another. The selected artists explore ironic, metaphoric, humorous and even cynical perspectives on the import and export of people, cultures and ideas.
The title of the exhibition refers to occurrences of social and cultural shifts between people and places, using food as a metaphor for how we “digest” other cultures. Throughout China, Western fast-food chains are spreading quickly (including McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks), keeping pace with the country’s hunger for economic growth. Chinese food has long been a favourite takeout food. Ironically, the ubiquitous white cardboard container used in the West for takeout Chinese food is completely unknown in China, and thus, the box becomes an iconic symbol of everyday misunderstandings.
Culture, in general, can be regarded as a system of delivering ideas from one group of people to another. In this way, (Da bao)(Takeout) addresses the metaphorical concept of delivery and interpretation of cultural identity. Artworks from both countries challenge and play with the different cultural conventions and restrictions that exist between East and West.
The artists in this exhibition are a mix of second- or third-generation Chinese-Canadians, Chinese who have travelled abroad to study art, and Canadians who have travelled to China for residencies or exhibitions. They share the experience of being “taken out” of familiar contexts and encountering a strikingly different culture. While their individual voices each occupy a unique position, collectively, they speak to issues of cultural transference, highlighting the gaps, distances and misunderstandings inherent in communication across cultural divides.
EventsSaturday, November 24, 1 pm, A Walk through the history and contemporary constructs of Toronto’s East Chinese Village
Join artist Morris Lum and historian and community activist Valerie Mah on a 2 hour walk in Toronto’s East Chinese Village.
Tuesday, November 27, 1 pm, Chinese Cooking Demo!
Have lunch on the AGM! Join Professional Chefs as they illustrate simple, healthy, and fast ways to connect with traditional and contemporary Chinese Cuisine. RSVP.
Friday, November 30, 11 am – 2 pm, Chinese Folktales and Folklore
Presented by professional storytellers and image makers
Engage in the rich storytelling tradition of the ancient Chinese world of myths, metaphors and dragons. Captured and presented by Art Historian, Artists and Thinkers.
Images:
Sara Angelucci and Han Xu, Your Morning Is My Night, (detail from series), 2007, chromogenic prints, series of 48 photographs, each 30.5 x 45.7 cm. Courtesy of the artists.
ART GALLERY OF MISSISSAUGA
300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ON L5B 3C1
905 896 5088
M, T, W, F 10-5 Thurs 10-8 Sat, Sun 12-4
artgalleryofmississauga.com
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