The Road to the Beijing Olympiad 2008 Through Art
Charles Bilich
Upon entering the Academy’s main art gallery, one has the pleasure of viewing recent works by Australian artist Charles Billich. This body of work, entitled “Bing Mah Yongs,” juxtaposes the sports of the modern Olympiad and the terra-cotta soldiers found in the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (221 B.C.). In this striking display, Billich “manipulates reality” by depicting the terra-cotta soldiers of ancient China as modern Olympians.
View a Flash slideshow of Billich's Bing Mah Yong exhibit.
Gu Gan
Chinese calligrapher Gu Gan has been named the Academy’s Sport Artist of the Year 2008 in the calligraphy category. Gu Gan has created a series of 33 sport calligraphy paintings, including the piece to the left titled “Long Live Sports,” which depicts the five Olympic rings and commemorates the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
View a gallery of Gu Gan's Caligraphy exhibit.
Wyland
World-renowned artist Wyland donated to the Academy a series of 39 original pictograms featuring the sports that make up the Olympic Games. Valued at over $200,000, the pictograms combine the simplicity and power of Chinese brush art techniques with Wyland’s personal style and vision. Wyland has been chosen as an artist for the United States Olympic team competing in the 2008 Beijing Games. It is the first time the USOC has endorsed an artist so strongly committed to nature and conservation. The Academy has worked with Wyland over the last year on several art projects relating to the 2008 Olympiad. A pictogram is a symbol representing a concept, object, activity, place or event by illustration. Its use developed in China by 5000 B.C.
View a gallery of Wyland's Pictogram exhibit.
Other Featured Exhibits:
- The Road to the Beijing Olympiad 2008 Through Art
- Wyland — Faster, Higher, Stronger
- Cristóbal Gabarrón — 100 Years of The Modern Olympics
- Charles Billich — Bing Mah Yongs
- Bruce Larsen — Found Object Sculptures
- Jim Ridlon — NFL Assemblages
- Stephen Holland — Hockey Series & Woodblock prints
