Royal Asiatic Society China in Shanghai

RAS China in Shanghai - Newsletter Vol 1 No 5 – May 2010
2010
NEWSLETTER
Royal Asiatic Society China in Shanghai
We provide a forum for the development and
expression of interests and expertise from
within the local community, and from around
the globe, to inspire and to enrich cultural life
in Asia’s most dynamic metropolis.
May 2010
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday - 11 th May
Prof Wang Yi
The History of the
RAS
.....AND
THE NEW
JOURNAL LAUNCH
Tuesday - 18 th May
Dr Eric Wear
Ethical Appearances:
Literati Strategies in Art
and Living
Tuesday - 25 th May
Prof Louis Greenspan
Bertrand Russell in
China
Copy Deadline for Next Newsletter 20 th of this month
www.royalasiaticsociety.org.cn
RAS China in Shanghai is a Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland

RAS China in Shanghai - Newsletter Vol 1 No 5 – May 2010
2
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
THANKS for your support over the last month -
one that I particularly enjoyed. Eric Politzer, Huang
Yuanqing and William Lindesay all made wonderful
presentations for the Society and I would also like to
thank Michelle Blumenthal for all her hard work and
dedication in making these, and our other events,
such a success.
I am pleased to say that one of
the highlights of my tenure as
President took place last month.
Michael Wilson contacted the
RAS last year to enquire if we
knew anything about his
grandfather, of whom he had
little knowledge. It just so
happened that his grandfather
was none other than George
Leopold Wilson, the great
architect and key RAS Council
member who was responsible for
the fundraising and design of the
former RAS Building. Back in
2007, I named our RAS lion logo
(taken from a sculpture on the
building) ‘Tug’, as Wilson was
familiarly known, in memory of
his contribution to the Society
and to Shanghai. I had the
pleasure of hosting Michael and
his daughter Nina, with their
respective partners Paula and
Les, on April 28, showing them
Tug’s masterpieces on the Bund
and around town - and of course
the old RAS Building itself. It
was a very joyful day and I am
so proud to think that it was all
made possible because of the reemergence
of our Society.
Peter Hibbard

RAS EVENTS – Michelle Blumental
Eric Politzer (right) shared with us his enthusiasm and in depth knowledge of old
Hongkou through his incredible collection of Japanese hand coloured postcards
used to illustrate some of the early renditions of the
key buildings, when photography was in its infancy.
Eric refined the visuals with his own up to the
minute photographs of other buildings in the
process of change.
A note for Eric – and it has changed again since you
left Shanghai two weeks ago.
Huang Yuanqing (below left) broadened the
audience’s understanding and visualisation of Chinese Calligraphy in the late Ming Dynasty through
images, descriptions and comparisons of a multitude of both western and Chinese art
forms of the period. It was an enlightening and dimensional experience for the
attendees of both Chinese and Western origins. Xu
Liyi did a sterling job of translating this lecture, a
difficult subject to express well in English.
William
Lindesay OBE
(right) shared
his passion, hobby and professional expertise on the Great Wall of
China, leading us through his journey of discovering the wall. Some
members will continue this experience over the forthcoming holiday
weekend, with a physical journey to William Lindesay’s WildWall as
part of the RAS Weekender programme. We look forward to sharing
this with you in photographs from the participants in the next issue.
Thanks to our wonderful lecturers and a special mention to our
honorary member and translator, Xu Liyi.
POSSIBLE
HANGZHOU TRIP
VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED
There is an opportunity for an RAS Weekender in Hangzhou,
covering some of the well-known sites as well as some
special visits including a follow up to the lecture presented by
Helga Ellemeet with a visit to the Liangzhu Culture Museum.
Much of the research has been done already, but it now
requires someone to pull it all together and arrange the
weekend.
We are now looking for a volunteer to co-ordinate this trip
and would be delighted to hear from any member who feels
able to assist.
If you would like to help and want to find out more, please
let me know and we can discuss the matter further.
michelle.blumenthal@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn
This month we start with our first joint event; the
re-launch of our RAS Journal Volume No. 74, the
first after an absence of 62 years, together with
Prof Wang Yi’s presentation on the History of the
RAS, on Tuesday 11 th May. Tuesday the 18 th will
see us following on the subject of Ming Dynasty
aesthetics; Eric Wear will take us through a
different window in his presentation Ethical
appearances – literati strategies in art and living.
Prof Louis Greenspan will share with us his
knowledge of Bertrand Russell’s visit and ideas on
China on Tuesday 25 th May.
Shortly after the holidays we will be updating you
on the status of the first gathering of the RAS
China Reading Book Club. We plan to go ahead
with this new group and will be emailing you with
full details and a call for potential members.
Michelle
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RAS China in Shanghai - Newsletter Vol 1 No 5 – May 2010
2010
THANK YOU to all our
recent EVENT PATRONS………
748 Julu Road
www.mesa-manifesto.com
1195 Fuxing Middle Road
www.sbc-usst.edu.cn
Room 201, Rafflles City, 268 Central Tibet Road
www.interfaceglobal.com
RAS Council Members
President - Peter Hibbard MBE
Vice President - Mike Nethercott
Vice President - Justin O’Jack
Hon Secretary - Katy Gow
Hon Treasurer - Jan Flohr
Hon Programme Director - Michelle Blumenthal
Hon Editor - Spencer Dodington
Hon Librarian - Kim Taylor
Hon Research & Publications Director – Paul French
Council Member – Alexandra Hendrickson
Council Member – Isabella Jackson
Council Member – Charles Johnson
Council Member – Tess Johnston
Council Member – Hugues Martin
Enquiries & Membership – Jennifer Wen - Ex-officio
Hon Vice Presidents
Carma Elliott OBE - British Consul General
Nenad Djordjevic – former Serbia Consul Gerant
Professor Liu Wei – Zhejiang University
6/F, No.5 The Bund (corner of
Guangdong Lu )
www.m-theglamourbar.com
T8 Club Lounge
No.8 Xintiandi North Part, Lane 181 Taicang Road
www.t8shanghai.com
www.sha.britcham.org
78 Xing Guo Road, Shanghai 200052
www.radisson.com/shanghaicn_plaza
THE LIBRARY
Please contact the Hon Librarian
for the following:
ACQUISITIONS
If members have suggestions for books to
be purchased for the Library.
DONATIONS
If members wish to donate any suitable
books for the Library
kim.taylor@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn
Mobile: 13002126637
Enquiries & Membership – enquiry@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn