On September 29, 2024, the USC U.S.-China Institute hosted a workshop at the Huntington’s Chinese garden, offering K-12 educators hands-on insights into using the garden as a teaching tool. With expert presentations, a guided tour, and new resources, the event explored how Chinese gardens' rich history and cultural significance can be integrated into classrooms. Interested in learning more? Click below for details on the workshop and upcoming programs for educators.
The Magic of Chinese Animation
This film screening includes a selection of classics of Chinese animation, drawing on a variety of styles and techniques.
Where
Duan Jia is a professor at the Beijing Film Academy, the author of the soon-to-be-published Animation World History, and an award-winning animator.
The entire family will enjoy this selection of classics of Chinese animation, drawing on a variety of styles and techniques. A Clever Duckling was adapted from the folk art of folded paper. Monkeys Fish the Moon is a charming cut-paper animation about some very silly monkeys. The most beloved animation in China, Three Monks, offers a unique version of an ancient proverb about learning to live and work together. Snipe-Clam Grapple uses delicate cut-paper animation to illustrate a proverb. Te Wei's final brush-painting animation, Feeling from Mountain and Water, tells the tender story of the bond between a master musician and his young protégé. Duan Jia's Lotus was created as a 3-D animation choreographed to music; it integrates Chinese and Western art, and moves from poetic beauty to destruction and rebirth.
—David Ehrlich
• A Clever Duckling (Yu Zhenguang, 1960, 5 mins, DigiBeta). Monkeys Fish the Moon (Zhou Keqin, A Da, 1981, 10 mins, 16mm). Three Monks (A Da, 1980, 20 mins, 35mm). Snipe-Clam Grapple (Hu Jingqing, 1983, 7 mins, DigiBeta). Feeling from Mountain and Water (Te Wei with Yan Sanchun, Ma Kexuan, 1988, 20 mins, DigiBeta). Lotus (Duan Jia, 2000, 10 mins, 35mm)
• (Total running time: c. 90 mins, Color.) This program would not be possible without the invaluable assistance of Karl Cohen and David Ehrlich. Our thanks also to Shanghai Animation Studio, ASIFA-SF, and Andre Coutu, Ottawa International Animation Festival.
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