By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writers
This August, Artspace in downtown Raleigh will become a site of reflection and community storytelling with a new exhibition by artists Huiyin Zhou and Laura Dudu of the Chinese Artists and Organizers (CAO) Collective. The exhibition, titled "辫 (biān) / 彼岸 (bǐ àn)," will run from August 1 to September 29, 2025, offering a layered exploration of immigration, queer kinship, and familial history.
Through a mixed-media, site-specific installation featuring photos, writing, collage, and family archives, the artists will transform the gallery into a space for dialogue about the diaspora experience. The exhibition is not just for observation; visitors are actively encouraged to contribute their memories, dreams, or stories, which will become part of an evolving, living archive within the space.
The title itself holds a deep, dual meaning central to the exhibition's themes. As the artists explain in their statement, “‘辫 (biān)’ means to braid. ‘彼岸 (bǐ àn)’ literally translates as ‘the shore across,’ but in Buddhism it also means another world — one reached through transcendence.” Though the words share the same syllables in Chinese, their different tones create distinct meanings, reflecting the liminal space of migration and the braiding together of individual histories. The project was inspired by years of collaboration and conversation between the two artists, who work together as the duo hú-tu (Laura 嘟嘟 & Huiyin Zhou), as they navigated personal and collective grief within their community.
Additionally, Dia de la Ciencia y la Cultura (Science and Culture Day) returns for its second annual celebration at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, fully bilingual (Spanish-English) event celebrates both science and Hispanic culture. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Whether you're a science enthusiast, student, or simply curious, you'll find engaging talks, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities led by scientists and educators. Explore stations that beautifully blend science with cultural traditions and history, offering fun educational activities for all ages. Highlights include over 40 displays covering diverse topics such as bird and butterfly migrations, the impressive nest-building skills of bluehead chub fish, prehistoric discoveries (including dinosaurs) with real fossils, the wonders of magnetism, and the snakes of North Carolina, among many others.
Don't miss the Living Conservatory, an exhibit designed to replicate a Central American tropical dry forest, teeming with living plants and animals, including butterflies, turtles, tarantulas, snakes, and even a two-toed sloth. Additionally, visitors can explore a special art gallery featuring works by Latino and Hispanic artists created specifically for this event. You can also enjoy a performance by Takiri Folclor Latino, a group that brings Latin American culture to life through dance. "Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura" is presented by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the Consulate General of Mexico, and the RedGlobalMX Raleigh Chapter.
