October 19 - 30, 2009
Exhibition Venue: Floor 1 and 2, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, No. 1 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.
Exhibition Period: October 19 - October 30, 2009
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Press Conference: October 19, 2009 Monday at 4:30 p.m.
Opening Reception: Buffet dinner at 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Documentary Film on Dr. Leon Chang screening at 6:45 - 9 p.m.
An additional screening on Oct.23rd 6:00pm, all is welcomed at the Taipei Cultural Center.
Chinese culture is profound and rich, among which Chinese calligraphy is particularly elegant and aesthetically pleasing. The artistic attainments are highly intellectual and inspiring. Chinese calligraphy not only displays the beautiful image of Chinese characters, but also presents the philosophy of life through the abstract expression of Chinese characters and through the cultural contexts. Chinese calligraphy is therefore more than mere a branch of visual arts; it is also an enjoyable communication of minds. Dr. Leon Chang was born on Oct. 30, 1909, Nanking; B.A. (Political Science) Magna cum laude, elected Member, PHI-TAU-PHI, Scholastic Honor Society of China, Chapter, University of Nanking, 32. Studied Public and Private Law and Jurisprudence at Nancy (Docteur en Droit, Univ. de Nancy), Berlin (Oxen, Balliol Coll.), and Harvard; lectured at Universities in China and U.S.; served the Chinese government in both civil and diplomatic services until November 1971.
A pupil and disciple of Master Hu (Shiao-shih) of Chia-Hsing, studied Chinese etymology, literature, and calligraphy; taught Chinese classics in high school (1931-33). Appointed President, National Academy of Arts and Crafts, Pan-chiao, Taiwan, (1957-59); Chairman and Professor, Dept. of Art, Institute of Advanced Studies, College of Chinese Culture, Yang-ming-shan (1962-66); Member, Board of Directors, Joint Administration of National Museums (1964-66). Elected Life Fellow, International Institute of Arts and Letters, Switzerland (1962); Advisor to the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Republic of China (since August 1971). Lived in New York since 1972 after retirement from government posts until 2009. Taught subjects regarding Chinese Culture at numerous prestigious universities and societies including Harvard, Yale, China Institute, and New School of Social Research; longest duration was St. John's University (1972-1990). Received "Distinguished Professor" honor in 1978. During this time, many students from Eastern and Western countries studied privately under him. He taught until 2008, when he was 99 years old.
He was proficient in Chinese, English, French, and German. He began publishing at age 23 (1931), and cumulated countless essays and books up to age 90 (1998). Among them: Paris (1971) in French, Shu-Tao; University of Chicago (1991) coauthor with New York State University professor Peter Miller, in English, 4000 Years of Chinese Calligraphy.
Professor Leon L.Y. Chang passed away on May 1st, 2009 at age 101 in New York. You are invited and most welcomed to visit this exhibition from October 19 to October 30, 2009 at Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York, located at No. 1 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017. For more information, please contact the Taipei Cultural Center at 718.813.1598 718.813.1598, 917.583.2822 917.583.2822 or 212.697.6188 212.697.6188 ext.2, or visit the website of HYPERLINK "www.tpecc.org"