About the 1000 Years Book Club -  

OK Contemporary and Metro Libraries are partnering up to connect our community to contemporary art in a big way.  

Ai Weiwei’s 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows Book Club is a part of our adult programming lineup this fall, focusing on the works of contemporary artists around the world. From Sept. 12 to Oct. 21, four book clubs will be held in various locations across the city. Each session will discuss a different aspect of Ai’s book, allowing attendees to participate in rich conversations at every opportunity. One thousand copies will be given away to Oklahoma County residents this month, prior to the first club meet up.   

The goal of the project is to give readers a firmer foundation in recognizing how contemporary art is created in our time. Through Ai’s words as both artist and activist, book club attendees and fellow readers will access alternative ways of processing their own sliver of the world and interpersonal experiences.   

All book club sessions are free to attend and open to all. More information can be found at metrolibrary.org/1000Years. 

About Ai Weiwei -  

Ai is an internationally renowned architect, conceptual sculptor, installation and performance artist. The Beijing-born artist is notorious for creating works that explore themes of disruption of power, particularly challenging authoritarianism, the Chinese government and, ultimately, the viewers themselves. An activist in his own right, Ai’s work encourages onlookers to dare to question and stand up for freedom of expression. His 2021 memoir, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, gives a glimpse into the artist’s complex journey.   

Events -  

READING MEMOIRS 

Tuesday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. 
Belle Isle Library 

Join us for a discussion of 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, a memoir by celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. This discussion will be centered around memoir and personal narrative as a genre. Julianna Link, Adult Librarian at the Belle Isle Library, will be the guest speaker for this Book Club session.

CHINESE HISTORY 

Wednesday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. 
Capitol Hill Library 

Join us for a discussion of 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, a memoir by celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. This discussion will be centered around the book, as well as modern and contemporary Chinese history. Dr. Xiaobing Li, Professor of History and Don Betz Endowed Chair in International Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma, will be the guest speaker for this Book Club session.  

UNDERSTANDING & APPRECIATING THE ART OF AI WEIWEI 

Saturday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m. 
Choctaw Library 

Join us for a discussion of 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, a memoir by celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. This discussion will be centered around the art, architecture, and films of Ai Weiwei. Dr. Shaoqian Zhang, Associate Professor of Art History at Oklahoma State University, will be the guest speaker for this Book Club session. 

ART AND RESISTANCE ACROSS THE WORLD 

Saturday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m. 
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 

Join us for a discussion of 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, a memoir by celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. This discussion will be centered around the book, as well as the oppression of art around the world. Carina Evangelista, Senior Director of Curatorial Affairs at Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center, will be the guest speaker for this Book Club session. 

For you to know -  

Materials have already been sent to all branches for the 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows book club. Please give the books to anyone who asks for one. You can also offer one to guests whom you think might be interested. Show guests the bookmark and the event dates listed. 

In case you missed it, here is everything included in the package -  

Books - Every library is getting a different amount based on size/events hosted/etc. Refer to the spreadsheet below to see your branch. Please update the Book Distribution spreadsheet on the days listed with the number remaining at your location. We will use this information to move books around the system. The next date to update is August 28, which is this upcoming Monday. 

1000 Years Book Distribution.xlsx  [1]

Bookplates - The same number of bookplates as books. Someone from your team should have added the bookplates to the front, inside cover of every copy.   

Bookmarks - Each branch should have 2x as many bookmarks as books, including one with every book. The rest you can distribute how you best see fit. 

Posters - One large 24x36 poster and two small 11x17 posters should have been sent to each branch, and will stay up through 10/21.  

Can staff have these books? Sure, especially if you think you'll attend a book club event, lead a discussion at your location, or help promote to guests. The priority is for books to go to our guests, so please use your best judgement.  

Want to host a small book club meeting at your branch? It's not too late. Kadey Bernhardt has put together some helpful resources. You are welcome to use this as your book club book in September, October, or November. Just let Judie Matthews know, and she will connect you with resources.  

Whom do I contact with questions? Email Judie ([email protected] [2]), and she will get the answer to you.