China Design Now exhibition entrance (photo Jeff Jahn)

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've probably heard that PAM is about to launch China Design Now, a traveling exhibition (from London's Victoria & Albert Museum) on contemporary Chinese design. The show "explores the recent explosion of critically compelling design and architecture projects created in China, contextualizing the impact of rapid economic development on these projects in the country's major cities." In conjunction with the exhibition, many spaces around Portland are hosting Chinese-related exhibitions and events - check out the CDN blog to learn more.

The show's opening weekend is being kicked off with two related lectures at the museum. On Saturday, John Jay, global executive creative director of Wieden + Kennedy and founder of their Shanghai office, will present China Youth Now, an exploration of "the latest media, technology, and fashion created to appeal to Chinese youth today." On Sunday, Beth McKillop, director of collections and keeper of the Asian Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, will present Creativity in the Era of Globalization, in which she will discuss "the changing economic and cultural contexts that have fueled an explosion of creativity in Chinese graphic design, fashion, and architecture in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing."

Of course, keep an eye on this space for more news & reviews related to CDN.

Exhibition • October 10, 2009 - January 17, 2010
Portland Art Museum • 1219 SW Park • 503.226.2811