Ou Ning has over the past 10 years done critical research on urban and rural relations and processes in China. In 2010 he moved to Bishan village in rural Anhui Province and set up ‘Bishan Commune’. His aim is to mobilize artists, writers, architects, activists and designers to experiment with critiques and ways out of the globalized capital’s oppressive reality, to advocate for ruralism and anarchism, and to heighten awareness of loss of farmland, the peasant’s loss of power, and the degradation of traditions.

Until recently Ou Ning was the editor of the literary bi-monthly Chuzpah! magazine. In 2009 he was the chief curator of the Architecture Biennial in Shenzhen entitled City Mobilization. In August 2014, Ou Ning participates in the exhibition, FORESPØRGSLER I JORD OG KUNST, at the Sønderholm Community north of Aarhus, Denmark, where he documents the process of Bishan Commune. For more information on Ou Ning and the exhibition please visit the website: http://www.soenderholm64.blogspot.dk/

Registration for the seminar is required. Please write to Mai Corlin Bagger-Petersen (mcb@cas.au.dk) no later than 27. August in order to get readings for the seminar.