Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) Associate Professor of Design + Digital Media, Xun Chi, will deliver two keynote presentations at Beijing Normal University’s international art education conference and exhibition, Across the Divide. Chi’s work and the work of his LCAD Design + Digital Media students will be on exhibit in Across the Divide beginning June 5, 2015.

"I am proud of this extraordinary opportunity to present my work and the work of my students to an international forum," Chi said. "It’s great to have the support of LCAD’s Chair of Design + Digital Media, Catharin Eure, and of my colleagues. I’m honored to teach in an academic environment as innovative and as creative as LCAD’s."                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

After Chi met internationally acclaimed Chinese artist Xu Bing, he was invited to participate in the Association of Chinese Artists in American Academia, which led to the opportunity to bring LCAD design work to Beijing Normal University.

Across the Divide will demonstrate how students approached the challenge of solving a visual design problem inspired by the Chinese duìlián. Students were challenged to pair one image with another and to creatively place them in such juxtaposition that they generate a new, often fun and ironic meaning. According to Chi, individuals and families in China traditionally compose and place duìlián by their door during the spring in honor of the change of seasons.

"What makes Xun's work so special is his ability to open our students' minds to the world beyond our Western perspective," said LCAD’s Design + Digital Media Chair, Catharin Eure. "We are very excited to share the talent and professionalism of our students to the world and Xun is a wonderful ambassador of LCAD to the Chinese international art community."

Since 2007, Chi has been an associate professor of visual communication teaching a variety of classes including Graphic Design 1 and 2, Fundamentals of Graphic Design, Composition and Color, Internet Design 2, Maya 3D Animation, Digital Photography, and more. Chi co-taught LCAD’s NIKE-sponsored studio course, created the International Collaboration Project with the Communication University China (CUC), and curated the LCAD/CUC exhibition.

"When I first met Catharin and was introduced to LCAD, I knew this was a fresh and energetic place to be," he said. "LCAD Design + Digital Media's commitment to innovation and its focus on evolving new digital media technologies distinguish it from other design programs. Back then, LCAD was on the cusp of cutting edge design technologies and applications. Today, we are ahead of the curve."

Chi earned an MFA degree in Visual Communications Design from Purdue University and a medical degree from Tianjin Medical University in China, where his design works achieved nationwide academic recognition. His photography has been featured in various newspapers and magazines including Juxtapoz magazine, Harper’s Bazaar China, and more. Chi’s photography also can be found on LCAD’s website, catalogs and other promotional materials.

The exhibition is organized by College of Fine Arts and Communication of China’s Beijing Normal University and The Art Education Committee of Chinese Artists Association, The Association of Chinese Artists in American and Beijing Normal University Gallery.

China's major art media will be co-hosting this conference including: Chinese Art Education, Art Education Magazine, China Education, Art Education, Art Watch, Art Criticism, Artists Communication, Art and Design, Art Research, Art Market, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, " People, Artron, Chinese Art, Chinese Art Education Network and Visual Alliance.

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About Laguna College of Art and Design

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Design + Digital Media, Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting), Game Art and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Drawing and Painting as well as Game Design. Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with industry leaders. These partnerships have resulted 90% employment rate for LCAD’s visual arts graduates. Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, NIKE, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more employ LCAD visual arts alumni. LCAD Fine Arts alumni are accepted to the most prestigious graduate programs and go on to become internationally recognized artists and educators who shape dialogue with renowned collectors, museums and gallerists. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses invaluable historic archives that include The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit www.lcad.edu. Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa