Value of revival
At 22, Wang Xun (1915-69), then a student at Tsinghua University during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), published an essay titled The Value of Jade in Chinese Culture, in which he investigated the philosophical, cultural and aesthetic meanings embodied in jade. The philosophy major was determined to commit himself to the research of Chinese art history and aesthetics. Later, he taught fine arts at his alma mater, and at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, wrote and was involved in designs to integrate aesthetic traditions with modern crafts.
An exhibition, running until May 5 at the Tsinghua University Art Museum, For the Revival of Chinese Art, introduces Wang's academic, educational and design accomplishments, which he hoped would take forward the country's cultural lineage. It commemorates the 110th anniversary of his birth. From a family of intellectuals, Wang was known for his knowledge in many fields such as philosophy, art, and folklore. The depth of his academic understanding was demonstrated when he teamed up with other professionals to modernize the art of jingtailan, or cloisonne enamelware, in the 1950s.
9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. Tsinghua University, Haidian district, Beijing. 010-6278-1012.
Glass work
Reality and Illusion, an exhibition by China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, presents recent glass works by artists from China and abroad that celebrate cultural diversity and technology, and share insights into social change.
It is a display of glass technical mastery and creative artistry accumulated over the centuries.
The exhibited pieces are also fine examples of how a cross-disciplinary approach has enriched the presentation of glass art, changing established perceptions and inspiring creativity. The ongoing exhibition runs until March 10.
9:30 am-4:30 pm, closed on Mondays. Xiangshan campus of the China Academy of Art, 352 Xiangshan Road, Xihu district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. 0571-8720-0881.
Soil of creativity
The craft of paper-cutting first became popular in Fangzheng county, Harbin, Heilongjiang province, during the mid-Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and continued for more than two centuries. It was introduced by emigrants to Heilongjiang from other parts of the country.
Fangzheng paper-cutting art was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, and is known for its vivid colors and intricate designs that capture the social and cultural landscapes of the region.
The Shenzhen Art Museum's new venue in Guangdong province is showing a selection of Fangzheng paper-cuts in The Glories of the Black Soil.
The exhibition introduces northeastern Chinese tradition to this southern coastal city that is home to people from across the country, including from the Northeast. The exhibition runs until May 11.
10 am-6 pm, closed on Mondays. Building 1, 30 Tenglong Road, Longhua district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province. 0755-2806-2004.
