University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN Library Exhibit Explores the Allure of Art in the Sky—Kites

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., June 15, 2007) — The magic and allure of art in the sky—kites—are explored in the newest exhibition in the lobby of Cal State Northridge’s Oviatt Library.

The exhibition, "Art in the Sky," on display through Aug. 13, was first seen at the university last summer and explores the roles kites play across the world, including their history, the people who have used them as well as plans on how to make a kite.

"We’ve brought the exhibition back by popular demand from both the off- and on-campus communities," said library supervisor Gina Hsiung, curator of the exhibition. "It’s very colorful and provides a lighthearted atmosphere in our lobby, and it also says summer."

New to this year’s exhibit is a continuous-loop video exploring different types of kites and how they are made as well as images of sport kite tricks and kite surfboarding. Kite surfboarders have been known to be carried as high as 20 to 30 feet above the surf by their kites.

Hsiung said one of the exhibition’s newest kites, a 3-D clipper ship, handcrafted in Bali with nylon sails and bamboo supports, has already become the "favorite" in the show. It is hanging in the place of honor from the lobby’s ceiling. Another new kite in the exhibit is a Tri-Star Cellular Box kite. The kites hang from the lobby ceiling to show off their artistry and agility. The exhibition also includes a new Chinese Dragon kite, made from silk, bamboo and feathers, in a display case.

Hsiung and her husband, Johnny, have been collecting kites for the past 17 years, ever since Johnny found a kite in a store in Marina del Rey similar to those he'd flown in Pakistan as a child. In addition to collecting kites, the pair has attended many kite flying festivals over the years, including the annual Washington State International Kite Flying Festival. Johnny Hsiung has won several kite flying contests while his wife oversees the CyberFighter Kite Web site and is president of the North American Fighter Kite Association.

The exhibition is free and open to the public during the library’s summer hours, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays June 9 and 23, July 14 and 21 and Aug. 4 and 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. The library is closed Sundays. The Oviatt Library is located in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.