China just started building the world’s largest dam in Tibet, alarming its neighbors India and Bangladesh, and reigniting a century-old debate: power vs. preservation. Similarly, in the US, from Hetch Hetchy to the Klamath, rivers have long been shaped by human ambition. But sometimes, they run free again.

Philip Tinari speaks about the potential of art to transform lives, even if just for one viewer among thousands. He reflects on how creators can hold space for “a certain kind of magic,” and how his own experience as an American who built a career in China — through language, collaboration, and cultural trust — feels increasingly precious in a time of growing divide. He speaks with James Chau, President of the China-United States Exchange Foundation.

In this interview with CUSEF President James Chau, UCCA Director Philip Tinari explains how contemporary art can cut through political division by offering a shared space for expression and connection. He discusses how Chinese audiences, especially younger generations, are embracing art with global ambition, and how American artists find resonance in Beijing through innovation, boldness, and curiosity.