Over One Billion Served:
Conceptual Photography from the People's Republic of China
1/7/2004

WHEN: January 16 through May 9, 2004
Opening Reception:
Members¹ Only Schmoozefest with Wang Qingsong
Friday, January 16, 4:00 PM ­ 6:00 PM
Artist talks at 5:00 PM
Public Reception Friday, January 16, 6:00 PM ­ 9:00 PM
General Admission $5
Members Always Free

WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver
1275 19th Street, Sakura Square
Denver, CO 80202

MEDIA CONTACT: Sunya Ganbold, Assistant to the Director
303.298.7554x207 or sunyag@mcartdenver.org

Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver (MCA) is proud to present Over One Billion Served, featuring conceptual photography by artists from the People¹s Republic of China. Organized by Julie Segraves, Executive Director of the Asian Art Coordinating Council in conjunction with MCA, this international exhibition will display work never before shown outside of China.

This exhibit examines present-day China through the lenses of eleven gifted conceptual photographers. Although a popular art form in the West, it has only been since the mid 1990¹s that Chinese photographers have experimented with conceptual photography. The results, featured at MCA, chronicle intriguing personal interpretations of the ongoing restructuring of China¹s culture, society and its dramatic economic growth. The latter factor, coupled with rampant social change and erratic political reforms, have left this country in state of constant transition. Chinese life-styles and values are challenged on a daily basis, influencing such issues as identity, sexuality and self-expression for Chinese men and women alike.

Some work in this exhibit documents the shifting social landscape of China resulting from the impact of the West and its ideas,² explains Julie Segraves. ³Other works reflect concerns about the country's environment, especially the seemingly endless cycle of destroying traditional Chinese homes and buildings and replacing them with Western-style skyscrapers. Still other photographs in this exhibit comment on the impact of consumerism and the confusion over of the value of money in a society that, until recently, prized scholarship over entrepreneurship.

Wang Qingsong, one of the artists presented in the show, will be in attendance at the opening reception on Friday, January 16th. He will present an exclusive, members-only talk between 5 and 6 PM that evening.

MCA is open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 ­ 5:30 and Sundays 12:00 ­ 5:30. For more information call 303-298-7554 or visit www.mcartdenver.org
Admission cost: Members FREE. Adults $5. Students and Seniors $3. Children 12 and under free.