A CONVERSATION WITH CHICAGO: CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE FROM CHINA (group)

OVERVIEW

EXHIBITION SYNOPSIS

The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs is excited to announce the exhibition of four large-scale sculptures by four leading Chinese sculptors and installation artists in Millennium Park this spring. Organized especially for the celebrated venue, the presentation brings works by Sui Jianguo, Zhan Wang, Shen Shaomin, and Chen Wenling to Chicago this April 9, 2009 through October 2010. The exhibition is available for all to enjoy free of charge.

In recent years, contemporary Chinese art has emerged from a domestic avant-garde movement into one of the fastest growing and most dynamic components of the international art scene. Representing the current stage of contemporary Chinese art, the four large sculptures, never before seen in the United States, bring the global conversation into one of Chicago's most popular public spaces.

Coming from different regions and educational backgrounds, the artists each employ different materials and visual styles, but they also show commonalities. Each work is intensely engaged with important contemporary issues such as the energy crisis, materialism, and globalization. They also share inspiration from traditional Chinese art, commercial culture, folk art, and industrial machinery as they explore ways to react to a public space.

The sculptural works will be on view in Millennium Park's outdoor Boeing Gallieries. The piece by Shen Shaomin will be presented in Millennium Park's North Gallery, while the South Gallery will feature works by Chen Wenling, Sui Jianguo, and Zhan Wang. The exhibition is curated by Wu Hung, University of Chicago Harrie A. Vanderstappen Distinguished Service Professor of Art History and a Consulting Curator for the Smart Museum of Art, and by Millennium Park staff.

Contemporary Sculptures from China is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Millennium Park, in cooperation with Millennium Park Inc., and is sponsored by The Boeing Company with support from the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.

"This will be another world class exhibition in Chicago's spectacular Millennium Park. People have come to expect great projects, like the popular Mark di Suvero works, in the outdoor Boeing Galleries, and the massive Chinese sculptures will captivate and intrigue visitors, " said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Lois Weisberg.

“Boeing’s investment in visual arts exhibitions in the galleries is part of our mission to provide all people with greater understanding and access to diverse art and cultures,” said Nora Cargie Moreno, director of Boeing Chicago Global Corporate Citizenship. “We’re excited to assist in bringing this exhibit to Millennium Park, so people can experience and enjoy these leading Chinese artists’ works in the U.S. for the first time.”

The public is encouraged to learn more about Contemporary Sculptures from China and Millennium Park. From June 11 through August 27, 2009, staff members from Millennium Park will offer free tours of the sculpture every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. The tours start in the North Boeing Gallery and last 45 minutes.