“Moving Perspectives: Video Art from Asia” Opens Sept. 6 at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

The expressive possibilities of moving image and sound have inspired many Asian artists to examine the relationship between past and present through the video medium. “Moving Perspectives: Video Art from Asia” at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery presents for the first time a series of exhibitions focusing on recent works of video art that will engage viewers in the experience of Asian art and rapidly changing contemporary society. Opening Sept. 6, 2008, and continuing through February 2010, “Moving Perspectives” will present works in two galleries, which will be turned into black boxes. Each exhibition will remain on view for approximately 12 weeks.

Carol Huh, curator of contemporary art at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, has initiated “Moving Perspectives” to expand upon the “Perspectives” series of contemporary installations in the Sackler pavilion begun in 2003.

The series begins with works by Yang Fudong and Cao Fei and Ou Ning, Sept. 6–Nov. 30, 2008. Both artists effectively use the properties of video to explore a society adapting to rapid social, cultural and economic change. “Liu Lan” (2003), by Yang Fudong, draws on Chinese painting and folklore to create a dreamlike environment in which two lovers from different times and places are destined to remain apart. “San Yuan Li” (2003), by Cao Fei and Ou Ning, engages the viewer with a sharply contrasting approach to image composition and sound to convey a sense of the unprecedented transformation overtaking the urban landscape of China, particularly in the Pearl River Delta.

The next video rotations include works by Lida Abdul and Dinh Q Lé, Dec. 6, 2008-March 1, 2009, and Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba and Fiona Tan, March 14–June 7, 2009.

Future installments in the “Moving Perspectives” series will be determined as artists complete new projects.

The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the National Mall. For more information about the Freer and Sackler galleries the public is welcome to visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

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SI-394-2008