Confucius: Shaping Values Through Art
September 17, 2008 – January 11, 2009
At a time when interest in China and its rich culture is increasing internationally, China’s interest in its own history and traditions has also been growing. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, the Chinese have been looking to their past as they plan for their future.
Most notably, the Chinese have been showing a renewed interest in the teachings of Confucius, a philosopher, teacher and political thinker, who lived 2,500 years ago.
Confucius: Shaping Values Through Art explores how Confucian values have permeated East Asian culture. It utilizes the Museum’s own collection as a case study.
The exhibition will include Chinese ink rubbings, folk paintings, and copies of the classic, The Analects (a text containing teachings attributed to Confucius). Other objects include Chinese silk embroideries and Japanese woodblock prints related to the ritual of honoring the ancestors, an important concept in Confucian ideology.
Meher McArthur
Guest Curator
This exhibition is made possible by The James Irvine Foundation, Carolyn Hsu Balcer and René Balcer, and Dr. George W. Housner
Related Programs:
In addition to the exhibition, the museum is hosting a series of public programs and events surrounding Confucian ideas and philosophies. As part of the museum’s new Chinese Community outreach Initiative, members of the Chinese community worked with USC Pacific Asia Museum’s Chinese Arts Council and new outreach Coordinator in developing a variety of programs catered to educate, delight and inspire the public.
All events are free with admission.
FREE TEACHER ADMISSION
September 17–30
USC Pacific Asia Museum is honoring teachers in celebration of Confucius’s Birthday.
Curator’s Tour with Meher McArthur
September 27, 1pm
Film
October 3, 8pm
At the center of the world’s attention, China has arguably the most vital, imaginative, and uncontainable art scene. The Rising Tide investigates China’s meteoric march toward the future through emerging artists
whose work captures the social and aesthetic confusion of a rapidly changing society. Live introduction by director Robert Adanto.
Silk Road Story Time
October 4, 10:30am
Gather in the travelers’ tent to hear stories from China, the home of Confucius.
“Confucianism in California: Philosophy and Religion, the Secular as Sacred”
October 12, 1pm
Dr. Jonathan H.x. Lee will discuss the role of Confucianism in Chinese immigrant communities historically and today, as well as its current revival
in China.
Silk Road Story Time
November 1, 10:30am
Gather in the travelers’ tent to hear stories from China, the home of Confucius.
“Christianity and Confucian Values in Korea”
November 1, 2pm
with Jonghun Joo of Fuller Seminary.
“Ancestors and Art”
November 2, 2pm
Open-house demo & display of Chinese and Latino cultures and arts; learn about ancestor altars and enjoy amazing paper-cutting folk arts!
Lecture/Demo
November 9, 2pm
Appreciate the art of Chinese calligraphy, its different styles, and how it is practiced with Dr. Hung-hsiang Chou of UCLA.
Silk Road Story Time
December 6, 10:30am
Gather in the travelers’ tent to hear stories from China, the home of Confucius.
“Confucius in Modern Asia”
December 6, 2–4pm
Confucian scholars, including Dr. David Schaberg, Dr. Robin Wang and Dr. Samuel Yamashita, come together for a panel discussion, then break into small group discussions with the audience.
“Confucian Values in Professional and Personal Life”
January 10, 2009, 2–4pm
Community leaders discuss the role of Confucianism in daily life, then join in small group discussions with the audience.