Celebrating 30 Years of Contemporary Chinese Art

An Evening Presentation by HUANG RUI, Artist (Wait List Only) This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Stars Exhibition, China's first public art display in Beijing, which heralded the birth of Chinese contemporary art. While most of the works were non-political, the organizers known as the Stars Group, distinguished themselves from the prevailing officially-sanctioned art by their choice of style and subject matter, resulting in harsh official criticism. Due to political pressure, the group disbanded voluntarily in 1983. Most members re-located overseas, including Huang Rui, who in 1984 departed for Japan. One of the organizers of the Stars Exhibition and a founding member of the Stars Group, he is a highly-respected artist known for his elaborate installations and contemplative performance art. A seminal figure of the Dashanzi Factory 798 Arts District in Beijing, Huang Rui seeks to express art's function as a reflection of society and its strength in addressing modern day concerns. He will discuss the development of contemporary art in China over the last 30 years and share his views on future trends and outlook. Huang Rui was recently named one of the 300 most important people in China by Beijing Television. Moderated by Philip Tinari, art historian