Birmingham Public Library to Host Visions of China: Exploring China's History and Culture Through Early Photography

The Shopkeeper, 1944, courtesy of Lt. Col. Clinton C. Millett, M.D.

The Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation (the former Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation) in partnership with the Birmingham Public Library, will present a Curator’s Talk titled Visions of China by Dr. Gregg Millett of Schenectady, New York, at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2009, in the Arrington Auditorium of the Central Library.

This lecture will compliment an exhibition of the earliest known color photographs ever taken in China on display in Bloch Hall at the University of Montevallo from October 1-23, 2009.

Imagine viewing rickshaws, sampans, water-buffalo, bound feet, "criminals" in stocks, and Qing Dynasty princesses. This photographic journey will begin in 1945 in Kunming (Yunnan Province) with the earliest known color photographs of China, taken by an Army doctor (Dr. Gregg Millett’s father) who became captivated by the people and surroundings he saw daily. The presentation then takes viewers back to the early 20th century, following the coast of China, with glass “Magic Lantern” slides and stereoviews. The journey will end in the late 19th century back in Yunnan, with the earliest motion picture footage of China. Dr. Millett will share his pictures and hand-painted glass slides using a digital projector. However, magic lantern and carousel projectors and a stereoscope will be demonstrated and on display at the lecture.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact 226-3742.

Check below for a complete listing of the Exhibition and Lecture Schedule:

October 1-23, 2009*
Exhibition
University of Montevallo - Bloch Hall Gallery
Visions of China: World War II and The Burma Road -- The World War II Photographs of Dr. Clinton Millett
Presented in partnership with the Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation, d.b.a, Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation
Call the University for gallery hours. Open to the public free of charge. Donations to the Foundation’s “Site Fund” suggested.

Thursday, October 1, 2009, 5:00 p.m.*
Curator's talk on World War II and The Burma Road by Dr. Gregg Millett
University of Montevallo - Merchant & Planter's Auditorium, Comer Hall
Presented in partnership with the Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation, d.b.a, Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation
Opening reception to follow in The Art Gallery, Bloch Hall

Friday, October 2, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Lecture on China in Color One Hundred Years Ago by Dr. Gregg Millett
University of Montevallo - Merchant & Planter's Auditorium, Comer Hall
Presented in partnership with the Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation, d.b.a, Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation

Saturday, October 3, 2009, 3:00 p.m.*
Lecture on Visions of China: Exploring China's History and Culture Through Early Photography by Dr. Gregg Millett
Presented in partnership with the Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation, d.b.a, Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation
Birmingham, Alabama - Downtown Main Public Library, - Richard Arrington, Jr. Auditorium, 3rd floor, Linn-Henley Research Annex

Monday, October 5, 2009, 11:00 am
Lecture on Visions of China: Exploring China's History and Culture Through Early Photography
University of Montevallo - Room 203, Jeter Hall
Presented in partnership with the Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation, d.b.a, Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation

*Open to the Public. Admission is free. Donation to the
Foundation’s “Site Fund” Campaign is recommended.

Links:
GreggMillett.com