Tribute to Chinese contemporary art in opening ceremony for latest exhibition
Shanghai never fails to attract international citizens with its glamorous metropolitan landscape as well as its vigorous technological and ecological development. Less known, however, is that Shanghai is also home to an ever-growing contemporary art scene. To raise awareness about this, the China Cultural Center in Brussels was honored to inaugurate the exhibition “The Wind from the Sea – Modern Aesthetics of Shanghai School and Youth Art”.
Jointly hosted by the China Cultural Center in Brussels, the China Art Museum (Shanghai) and Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts – Shanghai University, the “Belt and Road” International Exchange and Cooperation Series Exhibition: “The Wind from the Sea – Modern Aesthetics of Shanghai School and Youth Art” was grandly opened at the China Cultural Center in Brussels on the evening of November 14, 2018. Mr. XIANG Shihai, Counselor for Culture at the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Bernard DEWIT, Chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Mr. TAN Shu, Director of China Cultural Center in Brussels, Mr. GE Yiyou, newly arrived Director of the Center, Mr. JIANG Peng, Vice Director of the China Art Museum, and around 150 distinguished guests were gathered at the opening night.
The 48 artworks featuring in this exhibition focus on the innovative practices of young artists in the development of Chinese contemporary art and culture. 27 young artists adopted various art forms including painting, sculpture, installation, video, digital art and traditional handicrafts to creatively interpret the themes of advancement of traditional Chinese art, the integration of art and science, and the relation between individual and public spaces.
Among the three themes, “Modern Chinese Paintings” focuses on the exploration of Chinese paintings by young artists, reflecting their persistence and innovation on Chinese traditional culture in the context of globalization. “Arts and Sciences” expresses the thinking of young artists on how to expand the aesthetic path of art when it faces technological iteration. “Sharing Poetry” presents the practice of artists in urban renewal and shared community construction in the cultural context of “global village”.
The exhibition not only records the artists’ individual exploration in the art styles, but also reflects the rapid changes and growth of Shanghai. Chinese young artists participated in global dialogues responding to topics such as Traditional and Contemporary, West and East, Pluralism and Integration, embracing the ever-evolving world with a more open and active mindset.
The new Director of China Cultural Center in Brussels, Mr. GE Yiyou, said in his speech that “today’s exhibition announces the official close to the celebratory program of China Cultural Center in Brussels on the occasion of its third anniversary. Many of you may have witnessed the progress and development of the Center in the past three years. Led by my dear predecessors, our Center has been hosting a series of fashionable, modern, affectionate and influential cultural activities, letting our European friends experience in depth the Chinese culture. We wish by this exhibition to share the latest and finest Chinese contemporary art scene with our European friends.”
Mr. JIANG Peng, Vice Director of the China Art Museum, expressed his sincere welcome to the guests on behalf of the hosts. “The exhibition aims to convey the image of China’s peace, development, democracy and openness by showing the unique charm of Chinese culture. We wish by this chance, European friends can learn more about China and Shanghai through its thriving contemporary art, and to further deepen the cultural friendship between Europe and China,” said Mr. Jiang. “In 2015, China Art Museum led the establishment of the “Belt and Road” National Art Museums Corporation Mechanism. Over the past few years, our Cooperation Mechanism has been working on promoting international cultural exchanges, and deepening the opportunities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This exhibition is the fruit of past work which we would like to share today with new friends.”
On the evening of the opening ceremony, Mr. JIANG Peng, Vice Director of the China Art Museum, gave the guests a guided tour of the exhibition. Surrounded by the outstanding artworks, visitors fully appreciated the contemporary aesthetics of Shanghai and experienced the innovation and integration of the international metropolis.
The Wind from the Sea – Modern Aesthetics of Shanghai School and Youth Art
FREE ENTRY
November 15, 2018 – January 15, 2019
Open Monday to Friday according to the opening hours of the Center, closed from December 24 to January 1.
