On April 18, 2024 local time, the Chinese Pavilion of the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition officially opened in Venice, Italy.
Co-curated by Professor Wang Xiaosong of Zhejiang University and independent curator Jiang Jun, the exhibition is divided into two parts, namely the "Collection" composed of the "Great Series of Chinese Paintings" and the "Biography" composed of the works of seven Chinese contemporary artists: Che Jianquan, Jiao Xingtao, Qiu Zhenzhong, Shi Hui, Wang Shaoqiang, Wang Zhenghong and Zhu Jinshi. The exhibition aims to reflect on the theme of the Venice Biennale from the perspective of "convergence, exchange and integration", "Outsiders are everywhere", and convey the values of "inclusiveness", "harmony and symbiosis" and "beauty and beauty" in traditional Chinese culture while showcasing multiculturalism, and bring different cultural reflections and visual experiences to the audience in the Arsenale exhibition area.
In the "Collection" section, 100 images and archives of Chinese paintings scattered overseas will be displayed in filing cabinets and LED screens. These works have been included in the compilation of the "Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties", which has lasted for nearly 19 years, and has collected a total of 12,405 pieces (sets) of ancient Chinese painting treasures, of which 1/4 and about 3,000 pieces/sets of works are currently in the collection of countries and regions outside China.
In the "Biography" section, seven contemporary Chinese artists start new creations based on the "Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties", starting from different painting elements such as architecture, landscapes, figures, flowers and birds, and meeting friends with art and making new ones with the ancient, which not only reflects the elegant collection culture of traditional Chinese literati, but also emphasizes the "inheritance" between tradition and contemporary.
Between "Collection" and "Biography", the exhibition draws on the 20th-century German art historian Abi Warburg's Mnemosyne Atlas, and uses image philology to prepare a theme-related plate for each artwork, trying to connect Chinese paintings and contemporary art works through the juxtaposition of multiple images, and at the same time echo the global image history, forming a two-way linkage between China, foreign and ancient and modern.
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, delivered a speech
At the opening of the exhibition, 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, said in her speech that 2024 is an important year for both Italy and China. The significance of the participation of the Chinese Pavilion in the Venice Biennale is that it demonstrates the strong interest of both parties in cultural phenomena and the desire to build bridges, positive relations and mutual respect through culture. The commemoration of the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo is an opportunity to reinterpret his role and connect with the current times, to strengthen mutual understanding between the two countries, to respect each other's great cultures, but also to respect their differences, to collaborate and open up a future of development and peace.
Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, delivered a speech
Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, said in his speech at the opening ceremony that this year coincides with the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, and it is of great and special significance for us to gather here to witness the opening of the exhibition "Beauty and Beauty: Collection" of the China National Pavilion with the "Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties" as the core. This year's Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition is organized by Zhejiang University as the academic support unit, carefully planned and led by the team of Professor Wang Xiaosong of the School of Art and Archaeology of Zhejiang University, and jointly created by Jiang Jun, curator of contemporary art, and seven leading figures in the Chinese contemporary art world. It is hoped that through this exhibition, we will further strengthen the cultural exchanges between China and the West, actively show the profound heritage and modern image of Chinese culture to the world, tell the unique Chinese story, use the United States as the medium, share the United States, promote exchanges and mutual learning and peaceful development of human civilizations, and make positive efforts to build a "community with a shared future for mankind".
Zhang Lingxiao, Counsellor of the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, delivered a speech
Zhang Lingxiao, Counselor of the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, said that the exhibition of the Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale has added very important and eye-catching content to the activities of China and Italy to jointly commemorate the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, and will further promote mutual learning between the two civilizations and friendly exchanges in all aspects. The theme of this year's exhibition at the China Pavilion "Beauty and Beauty: Collection" echoes the concept of the world's need for inclusiveness reflected in the theme of this year's Biennale, "Everyone is an Outsider", and is also in line with President Xi Jinping's cultural thought on "mutual learning among civilizations". Although China and Italy are located at the two ends of the Eurasian continent, with the joint efforts of the governments and peoples of the two countries, the friendship between the two countries will surely go hand in hand in the same dimension and become a model of international exchanges of mutual learning between civilizations.
Wang Xiaosong, professor and curator of Zhejiang University, delivered a speech
Professor Wang Xiaosong, the curator of the exhibition, 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. "Ji" originally symbolized the birds perched on the treetops, and it can also be the abbreviation of the literati and ink writers for Yaji. "Collection" emphasizes integration, representing the convergence of different identities, different races, different beliefs, different concepts, different purposes, different media, different backgrounds, different cultures and other diversity around the world. It is an invitation, an absorption and acceptance, creating dialogue, communication and mutual understanding.
Artist Shi Hui delivered 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 artistic event, but also a cultural feast, conveying the beauty of China to the world through the form of art. At the same time, the exhibition also provides an opportunity for artists from different cultural backgrounds and different art fields to have in-depth exchanges and discuss the development of art, and such exchanges and discussions will become an important driving force for future art creation.
The exhibition is hosted 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.
It is reported that the exhibition of the China National Pavilion will last from April 20 to November 24, 2024.
Zhejiang University presented the "Chinese Painting of the Past Dynasties" ceremony to the University of Bologna
At 2:00 p.m. local time on April 18, 2024, the ceremony of Zhejiang University presenting the "Chinese Painting of the Past Dynasties" to the University of Bologna was held in the interior of the China Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition (Venice Arsenale, Italy). Representatives of Zhejiang University, Bauhinia Culture Group, China International Culture Group, University of Bologna, and Chinese and foreign artists attended the book donation ceremony. Academician Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, and Professor Raffaella Campaner, Vice President of the University of Bologna, delivered speeches respectively, and the ceremony was presided over by Li Min, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange of Zhejiang University.
Li Min, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange and Dean of the School of International Education, Zhejiang University, presided over the book donation ceremony
In his speech, President Du Jiangfeng said that the "Great Series" allows the fine Chinese paintings collected overseas to be gathered digitally and together with the Chinese collections, they form a magnificent picture of the history of ancient Chinese painting from the pre-Qin period to the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. What it presents is the "outstanding universal value" of ancient Chinese painting and art images to human civilization. Italy, like China, is one of the cradles of ancient human civilization. As the "mother of the world's universities", the University of Bologna has witnessed, documented and disseminated Italian civilization and is writing a new chapter for it. This book donation activity is of great significance to the exchanges between China and Italy and the development of cooperation between the two universities. It is hoped that the two universities will use the "Great Department" as a bridge to jointly promote the dissemination and research of the "Great Department", better promote the creative transformation and innovative development of the excellent traditional culture of China and Italy, and contribute to writing a new chapter of China-Italy friendship and cooperation.
Du Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, delivered a speech
On behalf of the Rector Professor Giovanni Molari and the teachers and students of the University of Bologna, Rector Rafaela Campana, the Rector of the University of Bologna, first thanked Zhejiang University for presenting the "Great Department of Chinese Painting". She pointed out that the two universities signed the first inter-university cooperation framework agreement in 2009, and have been actively engaged in friendly exchanges for a long time, and have carried out a series of cooperation in student cultivation, teacher development and major scientific research, with fruitful results. As the oldest university in Europe, the University of Bologna cherishes its valuable cultural heritage, and its scholars in the fields of history and art history will make full use of the book donated by the "Compendium of Chinese Paintings" to actively promote the sharing of excellent artistic achievements between Italy and the world. It is believed that the dissemination of cultural heritage and art collections can deepen the consensus and promote cultural exchanges and interactions between the two universities, China and Italy, and the world.
Rector of the University of Bologna, Raffaella Campaner, delivered a speech
After that, President Du Jiangfeng presented a book to Vice President Rafaela Campana on behalf of Zhejiang University.
Zhejiang University presented the "Chinese Painting of the Past Dynasties" to the University of Bologna
Compiled and published by Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, the "Great Collection of Chinese Paintings of the Past Dynasties" was launched in 2005 and has successively collected more than 12,000 pieces (sets) of "national treasure" Chinese painting treasures from 263 Chinese and foreign cultural and museum institutions in the past 18 years. The donation of the book is a testimony to the exchange and sharing between Zhejiang University and the University of Bologna, which will promote the teachers and students of the University of Bologna and the Italian public to further understand the ancient Chinese history, art and culture, and lay the foundation for more research results in the humanities between China and Italy.
After the book donation ceremony, the opening ceremony of the Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale was held.
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
(Article from 99 Art)
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