Turchin Center announces fall schedule
International theme continues

Continuing its celebration of Asian art, Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts announces its 2008-09 Fall/Winter season today, encouraging the community to “go international” at a new exhibition, Ancient Philosophy/Contemporary Art: Asian Artists from China, Japan, Korea and the United States, on display through Nov. 15.

In addition, if connoisseurs have not seen TCVA’s summer capstone exhibition Dancing with the Dragon, it’s not too late. Dragon, featuring contemporary art from Beijing, remains on display through Oct. 4.

“Fall is such an exciting time of the year for us,” said TCVA director and chief curator Hank Foreman. “And this year we’re particularly excited to continue our international focus. We started with our Dancing with the Dragon exhibition, which, in addition to the 72 works on display, includes workshops, a film series, lectures and teaching by visiting scholar and artist Zheng Xuewu and his wife, Guo Xinxin. And now we’re opening an exhibition, Ancient Philosophy/Contemporary Art: Asian Artists from China, Japan, Korea and the United States, featuring 25 artists whose works are influenced by traditional calligraphy and three philosophical principles. Calligraphy has been an integral component of Asian art for thousands of years and continues to stand on its own as well as provide a major influence for contemporary artists working in more non-traditional modes.”

Dancing with the Dragon runs through Oct. 4 in the East Wing’s Main and Mezzanine galleries, and Ancient Philosophy/Contemporary Art runs through Nov. 15 in the West Wing’s Mayer Gallery and Galleries A and B.

On Sept. 5 at 7 p.m., the TCVA invites those interested in an in-depth discussion of Chinese Contemporary Fine Art, to join exhibitor-visiting artist and Department of Art visiting scholar Zheng Xuewu to learn more about his work and the contemporary art scene in China. Zheng, who lives and works in Beijing, is an important part of a vibrant and active art community. The lecture will be in the TCVA Lecture Hall, Room 1102, West Wing.

“We’re thrilled to co-sponsor with the Office of International Education and Development, the Chinese Friendship Association and the Greenbriar Theatre-Plemmons Student Union, a film series featuring various Asian themes,” Foreman said. “The series will be Thursdays throughout September.”

All films will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Greenbriar Theatre-Plemmons Student Union, ASU:

Sept. 4 – Ju Dou: An Erotic Tale of Forbidden Passion, directed by Zhang Yimou, China, 1991, rated PG-13.
Sept. 11—- The King of Masks, directed by Wu Tianming, China, 1996, appropriate for children.
Sept. 18 – Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, directed by Ang Lee, China/US, 2000.
Sept. 25 – Xizhao (Shower), directed by Zhang Yang, China, 1999.

Continuing Exhibitions

Continuing exhibitions at the TCVA include: Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition, through Oct. 4, Catwalk Community Gallery, East Wing; Humanimals: The Sculptures of Gayle Weitz, through Oct. 4, Bridge Gallery, between West and East Wings, and the 22nd Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibitions, through February 2009, on the grounds of ASU.

The Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition features works from 10-19-year-old students with learning disabilities from countries such as Canada, India, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, England, Malaysia, China and the United States.

Dr. Gayle Weitz from the ASU Department of Art brings viewers into a dialogue about the animal hierarchy. Humanimals is a series of carved and painted wooden cabinets addressing the relationship between humans and other animals.

The Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition celebrates its 22nd year and is a national juried competition showcasing the best of contemporary American sculpture. Ten sculptures are selected and sited in outdoor, public settings across the ASU campus. Sarah Clark-Langager, director of the Western Gallery at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., is juror. Exhibiting artists are:

Glenn Zweygardt, Alfred Station, NY; Hanna Jubran, Grimesland, NC; Sharon Collings Licata, Columbia, SC; Jon Mehlferber, Bristol, VA; Duke Oursler, Statesboro, GA; Peter Frantz, Tyrone, PA; Shawn Skabelund, Flagstaff, AZ; Cathrin Hoskinson, New York, NY, and Bill Vielehr, Boulder, CO.

The Fall 2008 exhibitions celebrated at a TCVA reception Nov. 7, 7-9 p.m., are:

Ancient Philosophy/Contemporary Art
Asian Artists from China, Japan, Korea and the United States
TCVA’s staff worked with international artist and educator Kichung Lizee and Korean doctoral student Kim Jue-Whe to curate this exciting exhibition.
Aug. 22-Nov. 15
Mayer Gallery, Galleries A & B, West Wing
Panel Discussion, Nov. 7, 6 p.m.

Andy Warhol: A Photographic Legacy
Recent Gifts to the Turchin Center Permanent Collection
To mark its 20th anniversary, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, launched a new program that donated more than 28,500 original Polaroids and silver gelatin prints to college and university museums and galleries across the country. The TCVA received 104 Polaroids and 50 black-and-white photographs.
Nov. 7-Feb. 7, 2009
Main Gallery, East Wing
Lecture, Nov. 19, noon-1 p.m.

Robert Motherwell: Lost in Form, Found in Line
The viewer of this artist’s work is continually engaged in a constant journey through line and form. The exhibition includes dynamic groupings of prints, unique prints and monotypes. This exhibition is a collaboration with the Jerald Melberg Gallery in Charlotte, which organized the collection in partnership with the Dedalus Foundation.
Nov. 7-Feb. 7, 2009
Mezzanine Gallery, East Wing
Lecture, Nov. 19, noon-1 p.m.

Tyler Deal: An Alumna Shares Her Recent Work
In much of her recent work, the artist breaks away from the two-dimensionality of the canvas to experiment with mixed media and non-conventional approaches. This is the most recent of exhibitions that feature students or alumni from the ASU Department of Art.
Nov. 7-Feb. 7, 2009
Catwalk Community Gallery, East Wing.

To request or view a complete schedule of programs for children, teenagers, adults, seniors and special populations, call (828) 262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org. Fees for the workshops vary, and pre-registration and payment are required.

The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and noon-8 p.m. Friday. The center is closed Sunday and Monday and observes all university holidays. There is no admission charge, although donations are gratefully accepted.