Yan Chung-Hsien, Still from Knitting Tree

Last week, graciously, the mic was fixed and Jo Jackson gave us yet another invigorating Monday night lecture - especially invigorating for Jo, since she spent lots of time chasing her mop of a dog as he raced down the aisle, barking dutifully at latecomers. In all seriousness, it was yet another reminder of how Portland's art scene is benefiting from the recent influx of artists who are moving here for livability, afford ability, politics and a host of other good things about this city.

This week, Harrell Fletcher has invited Taiwanese artist Yan Chung-Hsien. I don't know anything about this artist, other than a quick visit to his website [warning: be aware there are lots of persistent pop-ups on his site] and I'm really intrigued. Chung-Hsien is a professor of Architecture design in Taipei, has authored over a dozen books and recently, has completed several high-profile international residencies at places including Art Omni and PS1. He creates odd, soft sculptures that sometimes take on architectural implications, other times seem like props from a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie, and yet other times are employed as costumes. Several of his films involve performances using these costumes in ritualized performances, such as the scene in Knitting Tree, in which a group of figures in soft white costumes with long, tentacle-like appendages, are seen from an aerial view in an elaborate formation. I think this is yet another lecture you don't want to miss.

Monday, February 5th • 7 p
PSU 5th Avenue Cinema • 510 SW Hall St. Room 92 (on the corner of 5th & Hall)
Sponsored in part by PICA, PNCA, and Reed College

A very good lecture on subversive architecture as performance art. His version of "Christmas Tree" was priceless... and I love how he said "STUuu-Pid." A longer report will come later this week.

Katherine has a review of something else you will see later today.