European Art Lecture
2018-03-01
Sponsored by Cao Yiqiang, curator of the Dadu
Museum of Art, the International Cultural Exchange Central Forum for Diplomatic
Missions invited world known academicians to hold a lecture on European and
Chinese Art at the function room of the Media Center of Jianwai DRC at 3:30 pm,
17 January 2018 (Wed). Sir Nicolas Penny, eminent British art historian and
former director of the National Gallery in London, and Professor Cao delivered
theme presentations on the Space and Illusion of the European Art,
respectively. Some 300 audiences, including Ms. Jiang Qi, DSB executive deputy
director general, Miss. Lin Li, HSC deputy general manager, executives and
staff from various HSC departments as well as faculty and students from the
Central Academy of Fine Art (CAFA), Tsinghua University and China School of
Arts of the Renmin University took part in the event.
In an academic ambiance, the presentations
were very well delivered and received, focusing on the topics of Chinese and
western history reflected in the current day culture, and explored the road to cultural
rejuvenation of China in the face of today’s world. Sir Penny and Professor Cao
elaborated on the use of the spatial theory in artistic creation in regard to
features of changes of the European artistic style, departing from both ends of
the Eurasian continent and probing the essential characteristics of the Chinese
and western art forms as well as culture at large to offer inspirations for a mutually
beneficial path of development and showcase the Chinese art’s position of importance
in the world art arena in the past and present.
As the presentations were over, the Uruguay
ambassador delivered an impromptu speech, giving acknowledgment to the lecture
held for the international diplomatic community by the International Cultural Exchange
Central Forum, and conceded that he benefited tremendously from the lecture.
Ms. Jiang followed with a heartwarming
speech, thanking Sir Penny and Prof. Cao on behalf of the DSB, and also the Uruguay
ambassador for his appreciation. She said she was very satisfied with the
presence of the prominent art professionals from China and abroad and offered
her interpretation on the special appeal of art, starting from the Chinese and
western art forms’ mutual observation and misunderstanding to the eventual converging
and intermingling that began several centuries ago.
Taking the opportunity, Ms. Jiang briefed
the audience on the 56-year history of the DSB that was offering services to
nearly 500 diplomatic missions, offices of international organizations and
media as well as its mission in the new era. She announced the upcoming
launching of the International Cultural Exchange Center at Qijiayuan DRC, which
was made possible by Prof. Cao’s coordination with support from the CAFA,
National Academy of Arts, China Artists Association and numerous foreign
diplomatic missions and approval of Secretary Cai Qi. Upon completion, a large
number of top-line Chinese artists will work in the Center. She pointed out, following
the spirit of the CCP 19th National Congress’ political report, it
was the responsibility, mission and obligation of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, DSB and HSC to accomplish tasks of international cultural exchange
with joint efforts. She hoped concerted endeavors would be made by all the
people present, including workers of the would-be Qijiauan International
Cultural Exchange Center, to continue the lecture and reach the ultimate goal for
increasingly better results.
The
lecture came to a very successful close at about 5 pm.
