The China Paradigm: Life, Art and Time exhibition opened at Prince Kung's Palace Museum's Jiale Hall on Sept 7, curated jointly by the museum and the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University.
The exhibition features a collection of art and design works inspired by traditional Chinese culture, which are displayed within the museum’s historical architecture through immersive, scene-based formats.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore the concept of the "China Paradigm" from an aesthetic perspective and delve into the defining characteristics and value systems of Chinese culture. Historically, the influence of the "China Paradigm" has resonated both domestically and internationally. How can this classic paradigm continue to exert its influence in today's changing world? How can it connect to contemporary life and inspire new artistic expressions in the present era? The exhibition seeks to provide answers to these questions.
Guided by lifestyle-based scenarios, this exhibition showcases more than 40 pieces of diverse artworks, centered on three thematic life scenes. The "Gathering with Friends" scene highlights ceramics, musical instruments, furniture designs, calligraphy and paintings; "Dialogues between the Past and Present" focuses on videos, photography and clothing; while "Enjoying Beauty and Seeking Truth" features textiles, costume, sculptures, calligraphy and paintings. These works combine the spirit of the times with the timeless elegance of Chinese culture.
Since the start of their collaboration in 2023, Prince Kung's Palace Museum and the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, have combined their strengths to pursue a joint initiative in traditional culture research, cultural heritage preservation, creative design and international cultural exchange. One of their cooperative projects, themed around the beauty of traditional life, has led to exhibitions, costume, cultural and creative products, and digital products that serve both domestic and international visitors.
It is expected that inspired by these contemporary cultural workers' explorations, more artists, designers and cultural institutions will engage in such creations and displays, shaping the times and forming new paradigms for the future.
The exhibition will run until Sept 22, 2024.
