Inspired by the themes in our current exhibition, Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses, this collective ear acupuncture experience invites our visitors to explore connections between nature, the body, and the Anthropocene.
Sign up for an intimate, timed community-style acupuncture session with artist, and educator Rowan Ching. This practice is known to support healing, reduce stress, and restore balance in the body.
Stop by earlier and join a presentation and ear seed demonstration also led by Rowan.
Whether you’re curious about acupuncture or seeking a moment of calm in your day, this event welcomes all.
Please Note: People who are pregnant or on blood thinning medications should refrain from taking part in these acupuncture and ear seed offerings. Light snacks will be provided, however, please be sure that you have eaten a full meal or big snack before receiving acupuncture, as some folks may get lightheaded receiving treatment on an empty stomach. To learn more about the effects of acupuncture before registering, please reference this guide here.
Registration
This event is free and open to all. | Register to attend here.
About the instructor
Rowan is a licensed acupuncturist, artist, and educator living and working on Lenape land in West Philadelphia. Rowan received their Masters of Acupuncture degree from the Won Institute in Warminster, PA after three years of intensive graduate study of the theory and practice of East Asian Medicine.
Asian Medicine has been a part of Rowan’s life since childhood, as both Rowan’s father and grandfather worked in the healing arts. Rowan witnessed their grandfather incorporate Chinese acupressure points into his Physical Therapy practice, and enjoyed first hand their father’s work in Japanese Shiatsu and Hawaiian Lomilomi massage. These formative experiences shaped Rowan’s passion for healing work. Rowan decided to pursue a career as an acupuncturist after they suffered injuries from a major car crash. Acupuncture provided relief for their chronic pain and was instrumental in managing their mental health following the accident.
Rowan specializes in supporting people with chronic health issues such as gastrointestinal conditions, asthma and other respiratory issues, migraines, scar healing, and chronic pain. They also have clinical experience treating folks with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Rowan is passionate about LGBT+ health and has supported many patients through gender affirming surgeries and other aspects of medical transition.
In connecting with ancestral healing modalities, Rowan aspires to decolonize and queer the wellness field to make medicine more accessible.
About the exhibition
Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses: is the first in-depth survey of Carl Cheng’s prescient, genre-defying work from the 1960s to the present that will transform both floors of the ICA. Cheng began his career in the experimental context of the Southern California art scene and the post-war aerospace industry, resulting in artworks that operate at the intersection of identity, technology, and ecology. Over the last six decades he has worked in a variety of media to reflect on environmental change, the relevance of art institutions to their publics, and the role of technology in society. Because the majority of Cheng’s oeuvre is still in his possession, the exhibition will be an exciting and rare opportunity to animate the arc of his career through a presentation of artworks that are multidisciplinary, ephemeral, material, process-based, and interactive. The exhibition will also be presented at The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center (September – December 2024), Bonnefanten (May – September 2025), and Museum Tinguely (December 2025 – May 2026).
Accessibility
ICA is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all visitors. For more notes on accessibility including accessible parking nearby visit our Accessibility landing page. If you require any accessibility accommodations or have any questions about the program, please contact Brittany Clottey (bclottey@ica.upenn.edu).
Support
Programming at ICA is made possible in part by the Emily and Jerry Spiegel Fund to Support Contemporary Culture and Visual Arts and the Lise Spiegel Wilks and Jeffrey Wilks Family Foundation. Public and Student Engagement at ICA is supported by the Bernstein Public Engagement Fund, Suzanne Weiss Doft & Jacob W. Doft, Stacey & Robert Goergen Jr., Hilarie L. & Mitchell Morgan, the Nash Family Foundation, Joline & David Stemerman, and by Dana McDonald Strong & Mark W. Strong.
