china: journey to the east

The year I lived in England I discovered very quickly how easy it was to pop on a train from where I was situated in Coventry and two hours later find myself in the midst of London.  My first stop always was (and still is) the British Museum, where it's possible to immerse yourself in your pick of any number of world cultures.  The Asian rooms have always been particular favorites of mine, chock full of images of serene bodhisattvas and fierce warriors, and now the better to reach those who live outside the capital the Museum has organized a touring show called China: Journey to the East that will make stops at venues around England for the next few years (including the Herbert near my old stomping grounds in Coventry).  The exhibition collects objects from 3000 years of Chinese history and seeks to give further insight into this country with its rich cultural history and current complex (and sometimes troubling) character.  You can see some highlights from the show here, and don't miss the delicately-painted shadow puppets estimated to be from somewhere between 1850 and 1950.  I want the tiger.