1998 Activities

January 1, 1998: Chinese New Year Celebration and Exhibit

In conjunction with the outdoor Chinese Food and Culture Faire, of which the Museum played a major part, an exhibition of Chinese New Year paraphernalia was displayed. The Museum displayed Chinese New Year Prints, many of them, colorful wood-cut prints, traditional decorative objects used during the New Year Celebration, and beautifully embroidered Chinese Opera gowns. These were available for viewing through February.

January 18, 1998: Observance of the 60th Anniversary of the Nanking Massacre

One of our Museum's primary goals is to educate our community , even on the more painful aspects of history. During our memorial service in recognition of this near forgotten holocaust, several speakers, ranging from History Professors and Community Leaders to Reverends, gave lectures on the historical context surrounding this event and chanted prayers in tribute to the Massacre victims. The corresponding exhibit, which articulated the event through photographs and documents, was displayed for a month.

February 15, 1998: Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival has been a traditional celebration for over 200 years, since the reign of the Han Dynasty. The Museum continued this tradition by jointly sponsoring this annual celebration with the San Diego-Taichung Sister City Organization. Performers and scholars where on hand to demonstrate and remark on Chinese Opera. Lantern riddles and prizes enhanced the paper lantern exhibits which were added to the existing Chinese New Year Exhibit.

April 4, 1998: Chinese Children's Hats Exhibit

Children's millinery is a folk art in China, and consists of intricately embroidered and constructed hats, many with symbolic and metaphoric meanings. The beautiful hats, many, 50 to 100 years old, contain popular motifs, which were intended to bring good wishes upon the children sporting them: the Fish (plenty, surplus), the Bat (Happiness), the Tiger (protection), the Lotus (Purity and Nobility). These were on display through the end of April.

April 11, 1998: Archeology Artifacts from San Diego's Historic Chinatown

To coincide with the annual meeting of the Society for California Archeology, the Museum presented an exhibit on more artifacts recovered from three archaeological dig sites, all located within a block from the Museum, in San Diego's historic Chinatown. Photographs from the turn of the century are juxtaposed with current photographs to document the developments in this area. These articles have been donated to the Museum, and are part of the growing Archeological Artifacts permanent collection.

May 16, 1998: Dunhuang Cave Paintings by Gao Shan

Gao Shan has been working in the Dunhuang Buddhist Caves since 1984. His Buddhist and Taoist paintings have been exhibited in China, India, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan. Many of the works were large mineral color paintings on paper, and depicted the amazing array of 4th to 14th century art, contained in the caves. The reception included a speech by Art History Professor Ning Qiang, of San Diego State University, who has spent eight years studying Buddhist art in the Dunhuang Caves. The paintings were up on display through the end of the month.

July-August 1998 Watercolor Painting Exhibit by Dan-Fong Liang

This is Ms. Liang's first exhibit in the United States. Although she was formally trained in Chinese brush painting her work represents both eastern and western traditions. She has traveled extensively throughout the world, from the North Pole to the Middle East in order to acquire experience and glean inspiration for her works. Born in Nanking China, Ms. Liang now lives and teaches painting in Taiwan.

November 7, 1998 Dr. Catherine Woo

The museum hosted a lecture by Dr. Catherine Woo about the historical significance and practical modern application that feng shui (the Chinese art of placement) has in everyday life.