If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to view South Coast Plaza’s special exhibit that focuses on East meets West, there’s still time to catch the one-of-a-kind forum that celebrates Chinese-related arts and culture resulting from President Richard Nixon’s historic 1972 trip to China. “The Week That Changed the World: Nixon, China and the Arts” will be on display through August 18 at South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court. South Coast Plaza and the New Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, along with several arts institutions, are presenting this exhibition on notable arts and cultural developments following President Nixon’s 1972 trip to China—the first time a U.S. president visited that nation.
Exploring the interchange of music, dance, art, and more between the U.S. and China, the 2,300-square-foot multimedia exhibit features a cylindrical design with culturally relevant themes: A ying yang motif signifies the complementary relationship between the two nations, while a moon gate, a traditional architectural element in Chinese gardens, symbolizes a portal connecting the two world powers. Display panels provide a backdrop for memorable highlights from the historic seven-day trip in 1972, in addition to displays by esteemed institutions that showcase an array of Chinese-related arts, culture, music, and theater.
While the permanent galleries of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum are currently being renovated, visitors to the South Coast Plaza exhibit will get a preview of what’s to come at the New Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, which will open to the public on October 14. The $15 million expansion will include 72 new museum galleries, more than 30 custom interactive multimedia experiences, and 300 artifacts, many never before displayed.
Nixon’s historic 1972 visit to China opened the door to not only trade, but remarkable cultural exchanges in the arts between the two nations. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Chinese-related arts and culture following the historic trip, as well as the chance to revisit the diplomatic event that started it all. More than one million people are expected to view this world-class exhibition during its eight-week engagement at South Coast Plaza.
For more information, visit southcoastplaza.com.
