International Artist-in-Residence: William T. Kemper Foundation International Artist-in-Residence Chen Shaoxiong

Prepared: Strategies for Activists Chen Shaoxiong William T. Kemper Foundation Artist-in-Residence Project Residency: March 6 - March 30, 2012 Exhibition: April 11 - July 22, 2012 | Central Court This Spring Beijing-based artist Chen Shaoxiong will spend three weeks (March 1, 2012-April 5, 2012) working with university students, faculty, staff and a broad cross section of the greater Kansas City community to create art works designed to impart a better understanding of effective protest strategies. Since his early involvement with the “urban guerrilla” group Big Tale Elephant in Guangzhou, China to more recent collaborations with the Xijing Men’s Collective, Chen has developed an artistic practice that deploys humorous play in an abiding pursuit to uncover and understand the mechanisms of contemporary political culture. As part of this project, a core group of 30-40 students will work closely with Chen Shaoxiong to create new, collaborative artworks in a wide range of media from photography and video to posters and on-line websites. Participants and the general public can participate by attending and contributing to weekly seminars, lectures, and workshops that will include a roster of experienced activists, KU faculty, and artists. This grassroots, organic process will be the impetus for the collaborative artworks that will eventually form the core of the exhibition. Workshop topics are still being planned; however, participants will be invited to create and perform a “briefing” that will encapsulate the results of the three-week technical training camp for the exhibition opening. Keep an eye out for recruitment posters and check back to this website for the latest news about this new project.