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DISCOVER! | JANUARY 7, 2017
Arts | 7
Floating
RYLAN HOWE | STAFF WRITER
Edge of
ILLUSION
INK
Chinese art
collection
visits Okoboji
RYLAN HOWE | STAFF WRITER
The Artists:
Zheng Lianje - Born in 1962 in Beijing,
actively working in New York and
Beijing. The Art of Zheng Lianje is
complex and amazing, his artistic appetite
spread across the artistic landscape,
including a vareity of artistic
creation: behavior, device, conceptual
photography, and even modern ink
and wash.
Five artists in one show. The new
exhibit in the Goodenow Gallery
displays quite a collection for the
public to view from now through Feb.
11, at the Pearson Lakes Art Center.
“Floating Ink: Contemporary Chinese
Art (2000-2016)” showcases
the work of Lan Cheng, Wu Jun, Xue
Yaojun, You Si and Zheng Lianjie.
“In one show you have all these artists
from China together,” performing
arts director Amanda Schindler said.
“You get to see their different styles
and a genre we don’t get here all too
often.”
The traveling exhibit has been many
places and allows visitors to explore
the worlds of five distinct artists who in
turn explore their own contemporary
versions of classic Chinese styles of art.
According to the exhibit pamphlet
the artists “have been reinventing traditional
forms to represent ideas and
observations about their contemporary
world.
“Having deep knowledge of and
respect for traditional forms, these artists
revere their cultural heritage and
art traditions at the same time freely
experiment with them.”
Bringing new and different works of
art to the Lakes area is right in line with
You Si - You Si is now commuting
between Shanghai and New Jersey.
Born in Shanghai to a family of artists.
In the 1980s when the nation was beginning
to open up and prosper, You
Si became a rising start in Beijing’s art
circle as he participated in numerous
avant-garde experimental art exhibitions.
Xue Yaojun - Born in 1965 in Beijing,
now lives in Yixing, Jiangsu, China.
Xue’s art is focused on represenationalism.
He insists on combing techniques
and concepts, expressing his
inner voice through realistic style.
Wu Jun - Born in Beijing in the 1960s
At a Glance:
WHAT: “Floating Ink: Contemporary
Chinese Art (2000-2016)”
WHERE: Goodenow Gallery, Pearson
Lakes Art Center, Okoboji, IA
WHEN: Now through Feb. 11
COST: Free
CONTACT: 712-332-7013
ONLINE: www.lakesart.org
the Pearson Lakes Art Center’s mission
of “broadening horizons through the
arts.”
Explore a new world and broaden
your own horizons by visiting the
“Floating Ink” these next couple
months in Okoboji. F
and now an active member in the
Shanghai art circle. Wu used modern
language to transform his subjects
from passive roles into active roles. In
his works, the “role” of his subject is
not always clearly defined, which give
his art meaning beyond the imagery
and draw the viewer in for closer exploration
of the work.
Lan Cheng - Was born in 1979 in a
small village in Guangxi region and
now working in Guangzhou, China.
The natural beauty of southern China
Reza brings his magical
mastery to Grand Falls
Reza’s dream has come true
and he’s bringing it to the
stage at Grand Falls Casino &
Golf Resort in Larchwood.
Whether it was magicians visiting
his elementary school in his
hometown of Brookings, SD, or
watching specials on television,
the world of illusion intrigued
Reza beginning at a young age.
“This has been a dream since I
was a kid, begging my parents for a
magic kit when I was six years old,”
Reza said.
The dream took a big step towards
reality at 14 years old when
Reza did a six-week run of shows in
Branson, MO, perfecting his craft.
“That was a stepping stone and
launching pad with the amount
of mentoring I received and the
support system I developed there,
it was great,” Reza said. “We started
with a bunch of friends hitting
the road, city to city, after that. It’s
been about a 10-year process getting
to the point we’re at now.”
That point has brought Reza to
Grand Falls Casino for the first
time though he has performed
several times in the area. His “Edge
of Illusion” performance will wow
the audience.
Tickets cost $20 and the show
takes place Sunday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m.
Guests who’ve been to a Reza
show already can expect to be entertained
all over again.
“We’re always changing the
show and there are a number of
illusions that change from night
to night,” Reza said. “It’s more an
experience than a show with large
scale, dynamic illusions and a lot
of interactive ones where we get
audience members on stage.”
At a Glance:
WHAT: Reza - “Edge of Illusion”
WHERE: Grand Falls Casino &
Golf Resort, 1415 Grand Falls
Blvd, Larchwood, IA
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m.
COST: $20
CONTACT: 877-511-4FUN
ONLINE: www.grandfallscasinoresort.com
and www.rezalive.com
These illusions are often a long
time in the making as well. Anywhere
from a few weeks to a few
years go into taking an idea to the
stage and involves music, choreography,
costumes and much more.
“It’s a constant process. A lot is
inspired by music, which sparks
an idea that we try to bring to life,”
Reza said.
The crowd at Grand Falls will
be the beneficiary of all that hard
work. And Reza hopes they come
away from the show amazed,
mystified, enthralled and perhaps
most of all, inspired.
“The instant feedback and energy
from the crowd at shows is
a huge reward for the work that
goes into it and hopefully they see
how I’ve followed my dream and
it inspires them to follow theirs,”
Reza said. “It’s more than magic.
Our goal is to entertain and have
the most skeptical folks feeling like
kids again for a couple hours.”
Prepare to step to the “Edge of
Illusion” next weekend. Reza is
ready to entertain, enthrall and
inspire everyone who attends. F
Okoboji | Iowa
Larchwood | Iowa