On April 18, 2024 local time, the Chinese Pavilion of the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition officially opened in Venice, Italy. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, undertaken by China International Culture Group Co., Ltd., co-organized by China International Art Exhibition Co., Ltd., and supported by Zhejiang University, the exhibition is divided into two sections, "Collection" and "Transmission", with the theme of "Beauty and Commonness: Collection", aiming to show multiculturalism from the perspective of "convergence, exchange and integration", and convey the values of "inclusiveness", "harmony and symbiosis" and "beauty and beauty" in traditional Chinese culture. As one of the partners of this year's China National Pavilion, Dongpeng Holdings provides high-performance, low-energy sustainable materials to tell the story of China through the ages.
△ The logo of the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition
△ Poster of the Chinese Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition
Co-curated by Professor Wang Xiaosong of Zhejiang University and independent curator Jiang Jun, the exhibition is divided into two parts: the "Collection", which is composed of image documents of "The Great Series of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties", and the "Biography", which is composed of works by seven contemporary Chinese artists (Che Jianquan, Jiao Xingtao, Qiu Zhenzhong, Shi Hui, Wang Shaoqiang, Wang Zhenghong, and Zhu Jinshi). The final part of the exhibition's tour in the Arsenale offers visitors a different cultural reflection and visual experience.
△ China Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition
01
Beauty and beauty together - set
Opening of the Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
In 2005, the Chinese government was invited to participate in the Venice Biennale for the first time in the name of the National Pavilion. In the same year, Zhejiang University organized and implemented the compilation of the major national cultural project "The Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties", which is one of the most noteworthy national cultural projects in the field of fine arts in recent years. On the opening day, Zhejiang University presented the "Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties" to the University of Bologna. The project lasted nearly 19 years and included a total of 12,405 pieces/sets of ancient Chinese painting treasures, of which about 1/4 were in overseas institutions outside China
△ Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, presented the "Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties" to Raffaella Campaner, Vice President of the University of Bologna, and exchanged gifts.
After the donation ceremony, the opening ceremony of the Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale was held. Zhang Lingxiao, Counsellor of the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, Laura Finccarto, Representative of the Venice Committee to Commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the Death of Marco Polo, President of Rimini Airport and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, Hu Xianzheng, Director of Bauhinia Culture Group Co., Ltd., Li Jinsheng, Chairman of China International Culture Group Co., Ltd., Chow Wai-sum, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and Anthony Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, M+The opening ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bernard Chan, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Leong Wai Man, Advisor to the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Lo Ho Chi, Director of the Macao Museum of Art, Yuen Shaoshan, Curators of the China National Pavilion, Wang Xiaosong and Jiang Jun, representatives of the participating artists, Cha Jianquan, Qiu Zhenzhong, Shi Hui and Wang Zhenghong, and Vice Chairman of Dongpeng Holdings, Ho Ying, and other guests.
△ Laura Fincato, Representative of the Venice Committee for the Commemoration of the 700th Anniversary of the Death of Marco Polo, President of Rimini Airport and Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy
During the ceremony, Laura Fincato, representative of the Venice Committee for the Commemoration of the 700th Anniversary of the Death of Marco Polo, President of Rimini Airport and former Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in her speech that the significance of the participation of the Chinese Pavilion in the Venice Biennale is that it demonstrates the strong interest of both sides in cultural phenomena and the desire to build bridges, positive relations and mutual respect through culture.
△ Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University
Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, said in his speech that as early as the 13th century, the famous Italian traveler Marco Polo entered China along the ancient Silk Road, passed through West Asia and Central Asia, and then visited Hangzhou along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
△ Zhang Lingxiao, Counsellor of the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Italy
Zhang Lingxiao, Counsellor of the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, said that the theme of this year's exhibition "Beauty and Beauty: Collection" echoes the concept of the world's need for inclusiveness reflected in the theme of this year's Biennale, "Outsiders Everywhere". Although the two countries are located at the opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, with the joint efforts of the governments and peoples of China and Italy, the friendship between the two countries will surely become a model of international exchanges for mutual learning between civilizations.
△ Wang Xiaosong, professor and curator of Zhejiang University, delivered a speech
Wang Xiaosong, professor and curator of Zhejiang University, introduced the curatorial concept and overall plan of the China Pavilion at this Venice Biennale. The theme of "Beauty and Beauty" hopes to convey the values of "Beauty and Beauty", "Harmony and Symbiosis" and "Inclusiveness" in traditional Chinese culture.
△ Artist Shi Hui gave a speech
Artist Shi Hui spoke on behalf of the Chinese artists participating in the 60th Venice Biennale. She said that this exhibition is not only an art event, but also a cultural feast, which conveys the beauty of China to the world through the form of art. At the same time, the exhibition also provides opportunities for in-depth exchanges and discussions between artists from different cultural backgrounds and different art fields, which will become an important driving force for future art creation.
△He Ying, vice chairman of Dongpeng Holdings, and Jiang Jun, national curator of China, took a group photo
02
Oriental wisdom with sustainable materials
Dongpeng helps the expression of Chinese culture in the world
Over the past 52 years, Dongpeng has always adhered to the mission of "integrating science and technology and art, creating a better habitat, and making Chinese ceramics respected by the world", practiced the low-carbon development strategy for a long time, actively advocated "environmental sustainability" and "cultural and design sustainability", and tirelessly sought the answer to the times of Chinese design, which is highly consistent with the theme concept of the Chinese Pavilion of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition.
This time, Dongpeng and artist Shi Hui jointly presented his artworks, using unburned and inorganic ecological stones to create a display platform for the "Shu Fei Shu" series of works, emphasizing the introverted and subtle oriental culture with basalt gray, and tending to use natural elements and traditional crafts to create a quiet and indifferent space temperament, bringing the viewer into a transcendent artistic situation. Through the use of modern materials, it pays high respect to traditional culture, and at the same time promotes the dialogue and integration of ancient and modern China and the West, showing an artistic charm that transcends time and space.
△ Shi Hui's "Book is not a Book" series of works|Display platform-Dongpeng ecological stone
Compared with traditional ceramic tiles, Dongpeng ecological stone does not need to be sintered in the production process, which effectively reduces energy consumption and emissions, and can recycle natural raw materials and leftovers and tailings produced by its own production, which is in line with the value orientation of the concept of circular economy. The "Shu Fei Shu" series of works are characterized by fiber materials such as cotton, linen, rice paper, and pulp, which not only demonstrate the heritage of the oriental spirit at the level of contemporary art, but also reflect the profound pursuit of sustainability, which complements the design concept of Dongpeng Ecological Stone.
△ Shi Hui's "Book is not a Book" series of works|Display platform-Dongpeng ecological stone
Beauty and beauty are endless. Dongpeng has always maintained the spirit of innovation that keeps pace with the times, and through continuous technological change and aesthetic sublimation, the material has become an artistic expression that can touch people's hearts, as well as a "sustainable" daily poetry, awakening people's deep respect for nature and culture.
Following the 2023 Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition, Dongpeng will once again be on the world stage of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition, interpreting the new beauty of traditional culture with sustainable materials, showing the future charm of oriental wisdom, and helping the expression of Chinese culture in the world.