3/7/2012
 

COFAC Create program to end on a high note

 A month-long series on the art of contemporary China at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is set to end on a high note on Saturday, March 10, with a performance by the Peking Opera Company.

The free and public performance will begin at 7 p.m. at Michelsen Hall in the Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage St., as the final event in the COFAC Creates Series, “Xu Bing – the Art of Rewriting China.”

Established in 1988, the Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera’s mission is to promote Chinese and Chinese-American culture by bringing the Peking Opera—one of China’s national treasures—to a world audience. Through its performances, the company aims to foster a deeper cultural understanding between East and West. The performance will include a traditional “Ribbon Dance,” “Mask Changing” and four traditional Chinese opera acts.

Prior to the performance, a reception will be held in the Noel Fine Arts Center Courtyard at
5 p.m. to officially close the current Carlsten Art Gallery exhibit of Xu Bing’s work. The events culminate a month-long series exploring Chinese culture that was the work of a committee of faculty and staff members who planned events and activities for many months.

This year’s series was made possible through the generous financial support of the UW-Stevens Point College of Fine Arts & Communication, Carlsten Gallery Student Advisory Committee, Edna Carlsten Gallery, Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, a College of Letters and Science Enhancement Grant, Association of Art Historians and Scholars, International Students and Scholars Office, University Library, Chancellor’s Office, Division of Student Affairs, Division of Communication, Office of Multicultural Affairs, International Programs, International Studies and the departments of art & design, history, music, philosophy, and political science as well as the American Institute of Graphic Artists, Central Wisconsin Initiative, Design Center, China Wok, Matsu Ya and Tempura House.

During its history, COFAC Creates has brought silent film actors, famous painters, Japanese artists, and now for its fifth year, world-renowned Chinese artist Xu Bing to campus to inspire learners of all ages and disciplines. For more information about this year’s events, contact Assistant Professor Cortney Chaffin in the Department of Art & Design at 715-346-3881.