Platter, Yuan period, mid-14th century, China, Jiangxi Province, porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware), h. 3 in. x diam. 18 3/8 in. (7.6 x 46.7 cm); Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.151
From ancient ceramics to contemporary film, explore the richness of Asian art and culture at Asia Society with highlights including an exhibition of imperial Chinese ceramics, a screening of Yang Fudong’s moving image epic, and a 10-day Ang Lee film series.
Imperial Treasures: Chinese Ceramics of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection
February 18 – August 10, 2025
Known for exquisite porcelain production and expansive trade, the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) represents a period of Chinese imperial rule between the fall of the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and the rise of the Manchu Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The approximately 20 works selected for this exhibition demonstrate how early Ming ceramics inherited the rich and culturally diverse legacy of the Mongol rulers by adopting foreign influences through vibrant trade with the Islamic and Central Asian worlds and combining them with indigenous Chinese traditions.
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Yang Fudong (born 1971 in Beijing, China; lives and works in Shanghai), Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest, Part I, 2003, single-channel video with sound; 35mm black-and-white film transferred to DVD, duration: 29 minutes, 22 seconds; Asia Society, New York: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Ruth Newman, 2011.24
Yang Fudong: Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest
February 18 – August 10, 2025
Asia Society Museum is showing Yang Fudong’s Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest, in its entirety as a prelude to the upcoming exhibition, (Re)Generations: Rina Banerjee, Byron Kim, and Howardena Pindell amid the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Collection, opening in March. The work follows seven young men and women on journeys in search of their identities and ideal lives, reflecting the many urban, ideological, and economic transformations across China today.
In 2003, Yang Fudong produced the first part of his five-part film; one part of the film was created each year (in sequential order), and the entire work was finished in 2007. The work has no clear narrative, although each part takes place in a different setting. Some parts take place in a rural environment, while others are set in cities. The film poses questions about the dissonance between men and women, individuals and society, the past and present, and reality and an ideal world.
Each part was originally shot in 35mm film, which was then transferred to DVD. Yang prefers to shoot in film, as opposed to digital video, as he believes that film retains a strong sense of the artist’s touch, which digital videos often lack. The five parts differ in length, ranging from approximately thirty to seventy minutes; the total running time amounts to about four hours.
Seven Intellectuals in a Bamboo Forest was first screened at the 2007 Venice Biennale, receiving high praise. Asia Society Museum acquired the work in 2011.
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Water and Oil: The Movies of Ang Lee
February 14 – 23, 2025
Ticketed event
Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who immigrated to the US at 23, is a two-time Oscar-winning director ( Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi). His eclectic filmography ranges from Hollywood spectacles (Gemini Man) and period pieces (Sense and Sensibility) to acclaimed romantic comedies and even a Marvel film (Hulk). While Lee has noted the cultural divide between East and West, his work often explores the interplay of these influences, particularly the tension between tradition and desire. This retrospective celebrates the diversity of Lee’s films while highlighting the consistent themes of longing, ritual, repression, and existential questions that run through his work.
To learn more and view the full schedule of screenings, click here.