This was my first tour of the Cai exhibition, but the students were great. I tries out an activity in which the students write or draw everything that they are thinking about at that moment. The idea is to give them a sense of Cai’s documentation of his constant ideas, plans, results in his notebooks and on his work.
The 6th graders thought it was fun, and eagerly participated. But the most common thought was how hungry they were!
I bypassed the permanent collection gallery during my second tour due to time constraints. I won’t do that again because the oracle bones were of great interest, and they can introduce Cai’s philosophy the the material and immaterial worlds are one.
Our in-gallery security staff are very attuned to the student tours, and the attitudes/engagement of the kids (one is a substitute teacher). They had some very perceptive comments, and largely think we are all doing a great job.
USC PAM Docent Blog and Resource Site 
Melissa, i am curious how you used the oracle bones. They are fascinating and I’m trying to figure out what to do with them. I also like the idea of them “taking notes” about everything they’re doing. Sounds like a great fun tour.
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Fran, I discussed the oracle bones as an ancient attempt to predict the future, as some are trying to do that with AI today. Like trying to predict markets or elections. Cai seems to see that practice as futile and unnecessary; that we should appreciate our lack of control and impermanence. One student who could read Chinese thought he could read the bones, He soon realized they are more pictograph than script. But we had a fun discussion about how much Chinese characters have evolved over time.
Melissa
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