Please join the RASBJ for a visit to the studio of artist Mo Yi, whose conceptual photography draws inspiration from diverse sources — an odyssey along the Silk Road, communist propaganda posters, a dog’s perspective on Chinese streetscapes. He has held solo photography shows, and exhibited installation and performance art throughout China and overseas, including Japan, Europe, and the USA. After a brief introduction to the artist by RASBJ’s Isabelle Holden, we’ll chat with Mo Yi as he shows us his studio and explains the technology and concept behind his unique “mosaicized” images based on propaganda posters and vintage photographs. Mo Yi’s installations use colored tiles and pixellated images from China’s tumultuous 1966-1976 era to explore Chinese political history and the legacy of the Cultural Revolution, which began 50 years ago this May. After talking at his studio, we’ll have lunch with Mo Yi in a nearby Caochangdi restaurant. MO YI WILL SPEAK IN CHINESE; AN INTERPRETER WILL TRANSLATE INTO ENGLISH.

WHEN: Sunday, March 20 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon at Mo Yi’s studio, followed by lunch

WHERE: Mo Yi’s studio in Caochangdi Village, Aihehua Row 6, #1 草场地， 艾荷花6排1号 (directions below)

HOW MUCH: RMB 100 for RASBJ members, RMB 150 for non-members (price includes lunch)

RSVP: email [email protected] and write “Mo Yi Studio” in the subject header

DIRECTIONS TO MO YI’S STUDIO FROM BEIJING’S CITY CENTER:

Take the airport expressway. Exit at exit #2 towards Jiuxianqiao. Since it’s impossible to go straight, make a right and then a U-turn when possible. 798 will be on your right. Proceed to the intersection; at the light, turn right onto Jiuxianqiao Bei Lu 酒仙桥北路。 At the first light turn left on Caihong Lu 彩虹路。 Follow this road all the way to a T Junction and turn right on Shoudujichang Fulu 首都机场辅路 (the old airport road).

You’ll go under two underpasses and arrive at a Y junction. Turn left. At the first turn turn right onto Nangaolu 南皋路. You’ll notice massive posters for the Film Museum on both sides of the road. At the second light/major intersection, turn right, then turn right again, and then turn right once more.

Mo Yi’s compound — a series of former greenhouses with rounded roofs — is on the right left side of the road (about 100 yards beyond it is a railroad underpass and Ai Weiwei’s studio — if you get to this point you’ve gone too far). The entrance to Mo Yi’s compound is topped with an archway with the words 艾菏华 IOWA。 Park your car or disembark from the taxi, go under the archway and walk to the end of the walkway. Mo Yi’s studio is on the left.

We hope to see you there!