WASHINGTON.- Visitors will be able to spend their summer evenings at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery's "Art Night," when the galleries will remain open until 8 p.m., Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24 and 31. Each "Art Night" presents an assortment of Asian activities featuring: four new exhibitions; films from acclaimed artist Yang Fudong; a cinematic Japanese "Magic Lantern" performance; an "Arab Music from Iraq" concert; a special "Arts of the Islamic World" gallery tour; and ImaginAsia family programs. This summer, the Sackler Gallery's medley of exhibitions include, "Yellow Mountain: China's Ever-Changing Landscape," "MURAQQA': Imperial Mughal Albums from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin," "Seascapes: Tryon & Sugimoto" and "Perspectives: Y.Z. Kami."


There are many other exciting programs that visitors may experience at the Freer and Sackler Galleries' "Art Night" celebration. The Freer and Sackler museum stores will remain open during "Art Night" and offer a unique selection of items inspired by current exhibitions and the arts and culture of Asia. Visitors are able to preview items online at www.freersacklershop.com.


Free Public Programs

"Moving Perspectives: Yang Fudong" Film
Seven Intellectuals in the Bamboo Forest: Part 1
Thursday, July 24; 1 to 8 p.m., projected continuously, Meyer Auditorium
For centuries, artists have been inspired by the landscape of China's Yellow Mountain. Internationally renowned artist Yang Fudong expands that perspective of the area in the contemporary medium of video with this five-part series "Seven Intellectuals in the Bamboo Forest," which is based on a famous Chinese tale. In part 1, Yang follows seven Chinese youths in contemporary dress who are in a permanent state of contemplation atop the mist-shrouded peaks of Yellow Mountain. (In Mandarin with English subtitles.)

"Magic Lantern Performance:" The Minwa-za Company of Tokyo
Thursday, July 10; 7 p.m., Meyer Auditorium*
With its unique combination of illusion, communication and art, the Japanese magic lantern spectacle known as utsuhi-e was a precursor to cinema. For the first time in the United States, Tokyo's Minwa-za Company revives this tradition from the Edo era by recreating the performances, complete with colorful moving images accompanied by live narration and music-that dazzled audiences nearly 200 years ago. This event is co-sponsored by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.

"Arab Music from Iraq:" Rahim Alhaj, 'ud; Souhail Kaspar, percussion
Thursday, July 31; 7 p.m., Meyer Auditorium*
Iraqi-born musician Rahim Alhaj earned a Grammy nomination in 2008 for his CD "When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq," released on the Smithsonian Folkways label. He studied at the famed Baghdad Conservatory under the late Munir Bashir, who was perhaps the greatest 'ud master of the 20th century. Since arriving in the United States in 2000, Alhaj has released three more CDs, including one for 'ud and string quartet. Legendary jazz guitarist Bill Frisell calls Alhaj's music "beautiful, mysterious and powerful." Co-sponsored by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.

"Arts of the Islamic World" Gallery Tour
Thursday, July 31; 6:15 p.m., Freer Information Desk

ImaginAsia Family Programs
At ImaginAsia, children ages 8 to 14 and the adults accompanying them can explore an exhibition and create a related art project to take home.

Royal Family Albums
Thursday, July 10; 6 p.m., ImaginAsia Classroom/Sackler level 2
Take a close look at the exquisite layouts and design of pages from the royal albums compiled for the great Mughal emperors Jahahgir and his son Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal. In the classroom, use handmade papers to construct an album page in the Mughal style. Bring a 4 by "6 inch or 5 by "7 inch full-length portrait or group photograph.

The Emperor's New Clothes
Thursdays, July 17, 24 and 31; 6 p.m., ImaginAsia Classroom/Sackler level 2
Discover the beautiful textiles and accessories worn in the Mughal court by looking at artworks in the "MURAQQA': Imperial Mughal Ablums from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin" exhibition. In the classroom, use antique Islamic printing blocks to print in gold on a T-shirt or scarf. Bring your own solid-colored T-shirt or scarf, or purchase one for $3 in the classroom while supplies last.

Exhibitions

Yellow Mountain: China's Ever-Changing Landscape
May 31 - Aug. 24, 2008, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Yellow Mountain is arguably one of the most beautiful mountains in China, and for that reason, artists have endeavored to capture the ever-changing appearance of its surrounding area for centuries. The "Yellow Mountain" exhibition reveals wood-block prints and mountainscapes created by monk-painters from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, whom had either traveled to or had lived in the wilderness surrounding Yellow Mountain.

Seascapes: Tryon & Sugimoto
July 12, 2008 - Jan. 25, 2009, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
The exhibition of 22 magnificently tranquil pastels, "Seascapes: Tryon & Sugimoto," portrays the Maine coast by the American landscape painter Dwight William Tryon, juxtaposed with six contemporary black-and-white photographs of the sea by photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Perspectives: Y.Z. Kami
March 15 - Oct. 13, 2008, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
This introspective exhibition features two monumental portraits depicting individuals in meditation and a collage of poetry and religious architecture.

*Free tickets are required for all films and performances. Two tickets per person are distributed at the Meyer Auditorium one hour before the event on a first-come, first-served basis. For performances only, up to four tickets per person are available through Ticketmaster beginning at 10 a.m., two Mondays before the event.

The Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except during "Art Night," when doors stay open until 8 p.m. and Dec. 25, when the museums are closed. Admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information about the Freer and Sackler galleries and their exhibitions, programs and other events, the public may visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.