Welcome to the 2014 World Jade Symposium! We're looking forward to another very inspirational jade exhibition and carving event! This year, with our continued goal of inspiring Jade carving around the world the WJS has added four main changes to the event, allowing the artist more latitude for expression and scope for creativity: 1. Size of Block - Each Artist chooses, from WJS inventory; the quality and quantity of jade they wish to use for the event. Artists entry fee will be based on KGs of jade required. 2. Time - There is an 8 months carving period. 3. Exhibition – There will be at least 2 live exhibitions of the finished art works 4. Documentary – A film to document the event and this contemporary jade era. So, instead of the small blocks, there will be a great selection, of over 3 tons of Jade to choose from; A, B, and C qualities from the Yukon and BC. All the jade will be well photographed so that artists can have a clear understanding of the jade to choose from. This large inventory of jade will be shown in a gallery format and presented on jadesymposium.com where the price per KG will be also be clearly stated (includes cutting but not shipping). The artist then selects the jade and what size portion he/she would like to use for the event. If the participant prefer small scale or is on a tight budget they can opt for one small slab, or if it suits, select one boulder! However, this jade is only being offered for symposium purposes and the selected quantity of material must be in relation to your intended finished work. This increase in scale and time will provide more freedom for the artists; to carve in a comfortable scale, with a material that fits the design, and/or designing to harmonize with the unique features in their selected jade. Once the individual Artist’s jade request has been confirmed and jade portion cut, it will be photo documented with weights and dimensions and sent to the Artist to begin carving. The jade selection will be on a first come, first serve basis. DATES 1st March 2014. Registration and jade selection open. 31st October, 2014 (Midnight PST). The deadline for carving and images submitted to jadesymposium.com November, 2014. An international panel of expert judges will be basing their criteria on use the jade, technical skills, artistic and creative language, and design. There will be multiple winners. There will also be audience choice awards. The online viewers will be able to vote for their favorite jade sculpture. EXHIBITIONS China - Late September/early October 2014. We are currently in talks with the Suzhou jade and craft association thanks to Andrew Shaw, and's they have invited the World Jade Symposium to exhibit a (their) selection of pieces at their very prestigious art museum. Vancouver - November 2014. Vancouver, Canada. World Jade Symposium and Exhibition. This is a three-day event with educational lectures and presentations from international Jade enthusiasts, master carvers, aficionados, miners, collectors, and experts alike. The artists are welcomed to display their finished symposium works as part of this grand presentation. We are estimating a large audience turn out and some very interesting speakers and presentations. TBA There is plenty of enthusiasm and support shown from other associations and clubs to help make this exhibition a great one. With multiple rooms the Symposium format will be something like: The auditorium, will be main stage for the conference talks and ceremonies. There are enough microphones and screens with dedicated AV professionals to facilitate. The jade art exhibition, will be showcased in gallery setting. The BC Lapidary society room, will host all the club booths. The jade trade room, here commercial organizations can have a booth to promote products and services. Special displays – a collection of 100 + very ancient Chinese jade carvings. A collection of many First Nations jade artifacts (never before presented in a comprehensive assembly) * If you are interested in presenting a study or discussion, representing your organization, or sharing a special display at this conference, please let us know. DOCUMENTARY FILM AND WEBISODES The World Jade Symposium will be filming and producing a professional documentary throughout this year’s event, focusing on the carvers themselves, the jade, carving techniques, design ideas/inspiration and the cultural influences. The association will be encouraging any willing artists to participate in this story telling part of the project. It will be ground breaking! This documentary will be broadcast as “webisodes” during the event to engage the audience. There will be approximately 5 episodes professionally produced and broadcast online through a variety of networks. After the completion of the carving event all the footage will be further edited into one feature-length documentary, available for everybody after the even, as well as presented to many television networks. We will keep you updated with news, dates and details as soon as possible through the online forum, email and newsletter. Regards, Brian Matheson jadesymposium@gmail.com |