WHAT: Oxford associate professor Jennifer Altehenger and Yale associate professor Denise Ho, moderated by Ching-Ching Ni, will discuss material culture in pre-reform China, and delve into their co-edited book "Material Contradictions in Mao's China (2022)". This hybrid event is jointly organised by RASBJ and the Yale Center Beijing (YCB). The speakers will be streamed online from the US. Ching-Ching Ni will moderate in-person at the Yale Center Beijing.

NOTE: Attendance is in-person only at YCB; there will be no online audience.

WHEN: Wednesday 29th November, 8-9 PM, doors open at 7.30 PM Beijing Time

WHERE: Yale Center Beijing (YCB), 36th Floor, Tower B, IFC Building, 8 Jianguomenwai Avenue (Yong'anli subway station, Exit C) 建国门外大街8号 北京国际财源中心 B座 36层

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT:

The growth of markets and consumerism in China's post-Mao era of political and economic reform is a story familiar to many. By contrast, the Mao period (1949–1976) — accurately framed as a time of scarcity — initially appears to have had little material culture to speak of. Yet people attributed great meaning to materials and objects often precisely because they were rare and difficult to obtain. Join Jennifer Altehenger (Oxford University) and Denise Ho (Yale University), the co-editors of Material Contradictions in Mao's China, in a discussion of just how central materiality was to everyday life in China, from travelling cinemas to what would seem like routine objects today.

HOW MUCH: RMB 200 for RASBJ members; RMB 300 for non-members. The price includes a welcome drink and nibbles.

Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership/​​​

NOTE: YCB members are being sent invitations by YCB and should register and submit payment directly to YCB.

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: No later than noon on November 27, please click "Register" or "I will Attend" and follow the instructions. You may find payment via Alipay easier than via WeChat. After successful registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

REFUND POLICY: If the organiser/s decide to cancel or postpone the event, registrants will be refunded. Registrants who find they cannot attend for personal reasons will be refunded if they notify RASBJ 72 hours before the start of the event. No refunds will be available for cancellations less than 72 hours before the event.