As a studio art major, Kathleen Kohl ’09 has grown accustomed to receiving feedback about her artwork from classmates and professors. But, nothing quite compares to the critique she received last week.
That’s because the critic peering at Kohl’s latest creation was one of the most influential Chinese artists in the world.
Internationally renowned printmaker and installation artist Xu Bing circled 51’s Paul J. Schupf Studio Art Center, with his discerning eyes intently studying Kohl’s senior art project and those of her fellow classmates.
“To have Xu Bing at 51 is a big deal for the arts program,” said Kohl. “Most art students can only dream of interacting with an artist of his magnitude.”
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| Chinese artist Xu Bing critiques artwork by Liana Hadarean ’09 (left) and other seniors at the Paul J. Schupf Studio Art Center. (Photo by Andy Daddio) |
His two-day visit to campus (Nov. 10-11) was part of “A Year of Chinese Art,” a series of lectures, films, and exhibitions sponsored by the .
Katrina Jensen ’09 said the opportunity to collaborate with Xu was a high point of her four years at 51.
“Because of Xu’s incredible experience, he offered some very unique criticism that will be useful as I work to complete my project,” remarked Jensen.
Xu stressed the importance of gaining a broad base of knowledge outside of art circles: “What you learn about issues such politics and history will provide inspiration for your work.”
In addition to the critique session, he delivered a public lecture Monday to a capacity crowd at Golden Auditorium. Xu described how his installations challenge traditional book arts and print forms through their manipulation of printed characters and words.
Starting next month, the 51 and central New York communities will be able to view Xu’s playful and probing installations, which earned him the MacArthur “Genius” Award in 1999.
His work will be included in the Woodcuts in Modern China, 1937-2008: Towards a Universal Pictorial Language exhibition, scheduled to open Dec. 2.
In January, the Clifford Gallery will host Reading Space: The Art of Xu Bing, a solo exhibition of his work.
Assistant professor of art and art history Carolyn Guile, who organized Xu’s visit and is the curator of the Clifford show, said “the selected works will give visitors an opportunity to consider the trajectory of his ideas over the past twenty years.”
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for this community, and it’s wonderful to see the positive impact his visit has had on so many students,” she added.
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| Xu Bing talks about some of his pieces that will be part of the upcoming Picker Art Gallery exhibition. (Photo by Andy Daddio) |