For centuries, Ming porcelain vases have been regarded as the epitome of priceless beauty. The Asian Art Museum’s special exhibition, Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty demonstrates why not just vases but Ming art of many types has earned such acclaim. On view from June 27–September 21, 2008, this major groundbreaking exhibition explores the grandeur and opulence of one of the most important dynasties in Chinese history.

Power & Glory also marks the Asian Art Museum’s first collaboration with three of China’s most prestigious institutions—The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing, the Nanjing Municipal Museum, and the Shanghai Museum. Some of the most precious artworks from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) from these museums, along with some of the finest items from this period owned by the Asian Art Museum, make up Power & Glory, the first exhibition in the U. S. to focus on the full range of Ming court arts. Many of the more than 240 artworks—porcelain, paintings, textiles, lacquer, jade, jewelry, architectural elements, and more—will be on public view for the first time.

The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of Ming achievement, through an unequaled collection of works from the Chinese dynasty most renowned for its refined aesthetic and standards of perfection. The exhibition will travel to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (October 26–January 11, 2009) and the St. Louis Museum of Art (February 22–
May 17, 2009).

Exhibition-related programs

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The Living Tradition of Guqin

Saturdays and Sundays, June 28 through July 27

Noon-4:00 pm

North Court

FREE with museum admission

Encounter one of the oldest living traditional arts, the music of the Chinese guqin. Appearing in Chinese writings as old as 3,000 years, this zither-like instrument is the most revered of Chinese instruments. In residence at the Asian Art Museum will be the distinguished scholar and musician Wang Fei.

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Gu Embroidery Artists from China

Tuesdays through Sundays, July 31 through August 10

Noon-4:00 pm

North Court

FREE with museum admission

Famous for its meticulous needlework and vivid representation, Gu embroidery originated from the present-day Shanghai area during the Ming dynasty. Gu embroidery is also known as “painting embroidery” for the subjects are generally based on the elegant paintings of previous dynasties. Renowned embroidery artists from China, Xiao-Cheng Shao, Hong-Ying Chen and Yue-Fang Qian, lead interactive demonstrations of various techniques and silk thread arrangements.

The Forbidden Discovery Room

June 27 through September 21

Education Resource Center, regular museum hours

FREE with museum admission

Explore the magic and mystery of Ming dynasty imperial culture through costumes, objects, and hands-on art activities. Inspired by life in China’s Forbidden City—the Ming palace complex in

Beijing—this interactive discovery room is for visitors of all ages.

Created, implemented, and led by members of the museum’s Art Speak teen program. Co-sponsored by KTSF26.

Family Activity Brochure: Li Meets the Emperor

June 27 through September 21

Children and their parents can follow a dragon named Li on a journey back in time to the Ming dynasty. Learn about court life and mythical animals with games and activities focusing on art objects. Visit the Forbidden Discovery Room or the Information Desk to pick up your activity brochure.

Activities: The Brilliant Dynasty

Saturdays and Sundays, June 28 through August 17

1:00 pm-4:00 pm, North Court and the Forbidden Discovery Room

FREE with museum admission

Members of the museum’s Art Speak teen program will lead hands-on activities and games in the Forbidden Discovery Room. Have fun learning about the Ming dynasty’s emperors and the symbolism that identifies them as royalty.

Family Art Encounter

Grandpa’s Treasure Box

Sunday, August 3

Noon–1:30 pm

Education Studios

FREE admission to all courtesy of Target First Free Sundays

Join local author and artist, Pauline Tsui, as she reads from her new book, Grandpa’s Treasure Box, which tells the delightful story of Bobo and Tashi’s journey through distant lands and faraway with the help of a magical box. Along the way, Bobo and Tashi meet a wise old dragon and many special friends who teach them valuable lessons about loyalty, perseverance and trust. Grandpa’s Treasure Box takes readers through the valleys of China to the ancient mountains of Tibet. Infused with symbolism and folklore, this is a story people of all ages will enjoy. After the reading, stay and write your own story using images from the book. Pick up a copy in the Museum Store to have it signed by the author herself.

Adventures of the Treasure Fleet

Sunday, September 7

Noon–1:30 pm

Education Studio

FREE admission to all courtesy of Target First Free Sundays

The Adventures of the Treasure Fleet is the true tale of seven epic voyages and their larger-than-life commander, Admiral Zheng He. Zheng He and his crew of 27,000 men battled pirates and survived a raging storm. They befriended kings, charted unknown oceans and were awestruck by Africa’s exotic animals. At each port, China’s best porcelains and silks were traded for pearls, precious stones, herbs and medicines. Admiral Zheng He and his crew returned to China as heroes, bringing dignitaries and treasures from far away lands as tributes to powerful Ming emperor.

Participants will enjoy author Annie Bowler’s story reading, which keeps the audience so entertained they barely realize they are learning. Every person has a fun role in Annie’s presentation. It features kids playing classic instruments from around the world, adults showing a bit of drama, a sing along to Annie’s song Adventures and a question and answer session. Afterward, purchase a book in the Museum Store and have it signed by the author.

MATCHA

First Thursdays, June through November

5:00-9:00 pm
FREE with museum admission ($5 after 5 pm)

Experience live performances, view Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty, create art, embark on special tours of the galleries, mingle with friends over cocktails, or simply chill to the hip beats of DJs and musicians. Click here for the season’s schedule and details.

Chinese Brushpainting Class with Aiqin Zhou

Saturdays, July 12 through August 16

10:30 am-1:30 pm (please bring your own bag lunch)

Education Studio

$150 for museum members, $210 for general (includes museum admission and art supplies) 

Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Inquiries: (415) 581-3665 or publicprograms@asianart.org

Participants will learn the basic vocabulary of brushstrokes and techniques for painting traditional Chinese landscapes with artist Aiqin Zhou. Participants learn watercolor methods and processes and then create artworks using natural hair brush and mulberry paper. An exhibition of artworks created in the class will be on display during the last session. 

Gu Embroidery Workshop

Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10

10:30 am-2:30 pm (please bring your own bag lunch)

Education Studio

$200 for museum members, $224 for general (includes museum admission and art supplies)

Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Inquiries: (415) 581-3665 or publicprograms@asianart.org

Master embroidery artists from China, Xiao-Cheng Shao, Hong-Ying Chen and Yue-Fang Qian, lead this two day intensive embroidery workshop. Chinese embroidery history and styles, and Gu Embroidery masterpieces will be discussed. Participants will work on Gu Embroidery projects with the artists focusing on needle techniques and color arrangements.

Chinese Calligraphy Class with Aiqin Zhou

Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24

10:30 am-2:30 pm (please bring your own bag lunch)

Education Studio

$80 for museum members, $104 for general (includes museum admission and art supplies) 

Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Inquiries: (415) 581-3665 or publicprograms@asianart.org

Chinese painter and calligrapher Aiqin Zhou teaches the basic styles and techniques of Chinese calligraphy, including the proper selection and use of equipment, body and hand posture, character strokes and proportions.

Four-Day Guqin Workshop with Wang Fei

Saturdays and Sundays, September 20, 21, 27, 28
12:00 - 4:00pm
Education Studios (Sept. 20-21), Samsung Hall (Sept. 27-28)
Space limited to 30 participants; space is available on first-come-first-served basis

Pre-registration required. Fill out the registration below and email your information to: ahortillosa@asianart.org. Email registration is strongly recommended, as space is limited.

You may also print and fill out this registration form and mail it with your payment to: Guqin Workshop, Education Department, Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Checks should be made payable to the Asian Art Museum. Please do not send cash. No refunds or exchanges once payment is received. Your reservation is not confirmed until museum staff contact you and your registration is fully paid.

Inquiries: call (415) 581-3500 or ahortillosa@asianart.org

Guqin Workshop Registration Form (click here)

$100 members
$165 non-member (includes registration and museum membership)

These hands-on workshops will cover guqin playing and performance technique, notation, history, tradition, theory, handbooks, repertory and a lot more. At the end of the workshops you will play some music and have an understanding of guqin music and a broad appreciation of Chinese culture. Classes will be interactive, consisting of lectures, audio-visual sessions, demonstrations and discussions. This class is appropriate for all levels. Guqins will be provided by the Chinese musical specialist beijingers.com for use during the classes. Students do not need to bring their own instruments.

Classes will be led by the North American Guqin Assocition director and China Guqin Committee Council member Wang Fei. She has been professionally trained in literature, music, and art since childhood and has studied with several important masters, including the great guqin master Li Xiangting from the Central Conservatory of Music in China. She has won several awards for Chinese music, toured internationally and given speeches, lectures, workshops on the guqin at many prestigious universities including Standford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the Central Conservatory of Music. She has also given presentations on Chinese culture to many Fortune 500 companies.

This workshop is co-sponsored by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) and the Chinese musical specialist beijingers.com.

Educator Program
Conversation with the Curator: Power and Glory

Saturday, September 13

9:30 am-12:30 pm

Education Studio

Limited to K-12 educators only.

$5 Pre-registration is required. 

For a rare peek behind the scenes of the special exhibition Power and Glory, Dr. Michael Knight, the museum’s Senior Curator of Chinese Art, will discuss this exquisite selection of art that encompass 276 years of Ming dynastic rule (1368–1644). Dr. Knight will highlight the curatorial process from thematic conception to object selection. The event includes a docent-led tour of the special exhibition and light refreshments.

Go to the Educator Programs page for information on registering for this event.

special events

Ming and Other Things

A Sotheby's Appraisal Event in Celebration of Power & Glory
Sunday, June 22

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Hilton San Francisco Financial District, 750 Kearny Street

$5 per artwork appraisal

World-renowned auction house Sotheby’s invites the general public to bring Asian works of art to Ming and Other Things, a benefit appraisal day in celebration of Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty. Sotheby’s Ming and Other Things provides the public with the opportunity to discover what treasures may be hidden away in their basements and attics. Sotheby’s Asian Arts specialists will appraise Asian artworks from 11 am to 5 pm, in the grand ballroom of Hilton San Francisco Financial District. The appraisal fee is $5 per artwork with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Asian Art Museum. Only cash or check can be accepted.  The public is encouraged to arrive early. Appraisals are available to the first 500 attendees.

Click here for more information.

Opening Night Gala
Celebrating Power & Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty
Wednesday, June 25

6:30 pm

Asian Art Museum

Click here for more information.

Presented by: Sotheby's MasterCard. Event sponsor: Boucheron. Exhibition lead sponsor: Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation.

CATALOGUE

Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty, published by the Asian Art Museum, and edited by He Li and Michael Knight includes essays about Ming dynasty art as well as detailed entries for each of the objects in the exhibition. The fully illustrated catalog is available at the Asian Art Museum store for $39.95 (paperback) or $59.95 (hardbound). Click here for details.

GROUP VISITS AND TOURS

Groups of 10 or more enjoy discounted admission to the museum, and can reserve private tours of with our knowledgeable docents for a fee. Private tours are also available in Cantonese and Mandarin. Tours are available July 1 through September 21, 2008, with the exception of the first Sunday of each month. Reservations must be made at least one month in advance. Click here for more information, call (415) 581-3624, or email groupvisits@asianart.org.

HOTEL PACKAGES

Expand your adventure with a 1-night stay at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, the exhibition’s official hotel. Centered at the crossroads of Chinatown, North Beach and the Financial District, this landmark hotel is the perfect location to discover San Francisco’s hidden gems. Choose from a variety of 1-night stay packages available during the exhibition’s run, from June 27 through September 21, 2008. Click here for package details.

Organized by the Asian Art Museum, the Palace Museum, the Nanjing Municipal Museum, and the Shanghai Museum. This exhibition was developed by a grant from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. The museum is grateful for additional support provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Starr Foundation, the Bei Shan Tang Foundation, Sotheby’s MasterCard, and United Airlines.

Individual support was provided by Dr. Kathy N. Hull and William Gisvold, Julia Cheng, Doris Lee, Sally Hambrecht, and a bequest from the Harold L. Brown Charitable Trust.

Additional funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Media Sponsors

Official Hotel Sponsor