Story Time Under the Grandma Tree - Huang Xiang

Huang Xiang, 83, was born in Hunan Province, China and now lives in Flushing, Queens. He is a poet, author, Master Calligrapher, painter, performance artist, champion of democracy, human rights, and the environment. Also worthy of mention, Huang Xiang has decided to become a Christian this year at 83! Some might say he was doing God’s work all along.

For this Story Time Under The Grandma Tree, friends will be invited to meet a living Chinese American hero who was caught up in the cultural revolution when he was a boy. He eventually became a young man who was one of the pioneers of the democracy wall movement to stand up against the Chinese Communist Party only to be imprisoned for 12 years, two of which were spent on death row. With his words Huang Xiang became a champion of democracy and human rights leading to his nomination for the Nobel Prize inLiterature. He will be joined by Victoria Zhang, 56, an author, publisher, his partner/soulmate and collaborator, Wendy Lee, a musician of the highest level will accompany him on Guzheng (Chinese Zither).

THE DISK AND ITS INSTALLATION:

This September 6th, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Huang Xiang and our camera crew will move to St. Michael’s church RC where he will use environmentally friendly ink to write “Peace, Love, Unity - We Are All Stewards Of The Earth'' on a canvas that is 4ft. in diameter and made out of a biodegradable material called mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative root structure of mushrooms, and the canvas will be grown by the Biomaterials Studio at Genspace, a biosafety level one community biology lab in Sunset Park.

The disk to be used as a canvas has three components: a wooden frame, a hemp chip skeleton, and the mycelium that grows around and through the wood. If left outdoors and exposed to the elements, mycelium degrades within 2 to 3 months. The disk will be anchored to the ground through metal rods. We have tested multiple prototypes for texture, durability, transport, and safety. The mycelium comes from the Reishi mushroom, also known as the lingzhi fungus, which has Chinese cultural significance. Long used throughout history in Chinese medicine for wellness, the reishi mushroom has been regarded as the “herb of spiritual potency” and the “mushroom of immortality.”

This piece is a prototype on a mycelium canvas painted with environmentally friendly ink with a message that will feed the earth and those who read it.

The mycelium is transported to St Michael’s Church’s grounds to degrade into compost within 2 to 3 months), Genspace volunteers will remove the hemp chip skeleton.

THE VIDEO is a collaboration with friends and artists who love and admire Huang Xiang’s work and his struggle against injustice with his pens and paint brushes. He will be joined by Victoria Zhang, 56, his partner/soulmate and collaborator, Wendy Lee, a young musician of the highest level will accompany Huang Xiang on the Guzheng. Roock Lee, a much younger and sought out artist will provide illustrations for our film.

Guests will be treated to an intimate and colorful conversation with music, poetry, and art.. Huang Xiang will share his history with a small audience and our cinematographer through eight poems/paintings that depict his life on large panels situated near and around the Grandma Tree created in his own unique approach to calligraphy in the Grass style. Viewers will be surprised to see Huang Xiang give a commanding reading that shows he owns the ground he stands on and exudes each word with great energy. He will conclude with his thoughts about caring for the Earth and one another. Also wothhy of mention, Huang Xiang was baptized Chirstian this last March! One mght say he was doing God’s work all along when he fought the communist party with his poetry in favor of human rights and democracy.

The best is yet to come! After a break Huang Xiang and the camera crew will move down the streeet to the beautiful 150 year old landmark St Michal’s Church grounds where he will create a new masterpiece for a temporary art installation where it will remain until it degrades in two to three months, thus feeding the earth and those who see its meaningful message before it all vanishes.