Ancient Paths, Modern Voices

South Coast Plaza is partnering with Christian Dior to present the U.S. premiere of an exhibition featuring the work of Beijing-based fashion photographer Quentin Shih. On view October 14 through November 7, Christian Dior Presents Photographs by Quentin Shih is part of Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture, a bicoastal celebration of music, theater, art exhibitions, and more that marks the first time Carnegie Hall’s festival programming has been offered outside New York. Shih is known for his evocative fashion photography and media campaigns that juxtapose images of working-class China with overt nods to Western culture. For the Dior project, he photographed models during Dior’s winter 2008 haute couture fashion show in Paris. Chinese landscapes and characters were then integrated into the Paris photographs through a complex production and set-up process.
 

Ancient Paths, Modern Voices will take place October 15 through November 24 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and will feature performances by leading international musicians including some artists and ensembles traveling outside China for the first time. Featured artists in Southern California will include Wu Man, Lang Lang, Yuja Wang and the Shanghai Symphony, Cho-Liang Lin, and premieres of new works by Chen Qigang and Tan Dun. (800/782-8888, www.southcoastplaza.com)   JANE SHIOMI