Elegance and Savour: Life, Wisdom and Art in Chinese Culture
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- show time：2018-06-28 to 2018-10-21
- Organizer：Beijing Fine Art Academy and the Liechtenstein National Museum
- venue：Liechtenstein National Museum
After three years of discussion and planning, the Beijing Fine Art Academy and the Liechtenstein National Museum held the Elegance and Savour: Life, Wisdom and Art in Chinese Culture exhibition from June 28 to October 21, 2018, the most beautiful season of Vaduz, using paintings to tell the "Chinese story." The Beijing Fine Art Academy curated a selection of 58 paintings as well as exquisite stationery from its vast collection of over 7,000 works for the exhibition. The exhibition presented three sections: "Ya Feng," "Folk Customs," and "Paintings in Stamps". These sections depicted the lives of Chinese literati, offering insights into their distinctive perspectives on nature observation, the multifaceted aspects of everyday life, the expressive art forms of Chinese opera and dance, and the enchanting symbolism of the twelve zodiac animals which hold a special place in Chinese culture. Through vivid imagery and masterful storytelling, the exhibition conveyed the profound richness of Chinese culture to the European audience.
In the aesthetic standards of the Chinese people, there is a term called "appreciation of elegance and commonality." "Elegance" represents the ultimate pursuit of ancient Chinese literati. It is not only reflected in their daily conversations and behaviors but also in their clothing, food, housing, and transportation. It can be said that "elegance" is the core of the aesthetic taste of the elite cultural class. Elegance manifests in a myriad of forms: the melodic strumming of the zither amidst majestic mountains and meandering rivers, the harmonious convergence of wine and poetry in literati gatherings, and the unrestrained strokes of a brush capturing the beauty of mist-laden landscapes. For thousands of years, Chinese literati have been enriching the connotations of elegance.
"Commonality" represents the flavor and interest of Chinese folk culture. Diligent and honest Chinese people have summarized a lot of wisdom and philosophy about life through labor and daily life. Compared to the elegance pursued by literati, Chinese folk culture appears more vibrant, lively, and full of wonders. The melodious flute blown by a young cowherd while tending to the cattle, the festive atmosphere embellished with lanterns and firecrackers, and the twelve zodiac animals composed of real and mythical creatures... all of these are filled with a strong Chinese flavor.
On the one hand, the exhibition introduced the elegance pursued by Chinese literati, such as reading, playing the zither, appreciating paintings, and literati gatherings. It showcased the symbolic representation of the four gentlemen of flowers – wintersweet, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum – which convey the aspirations and virtues of people. Furthermore, the exhibition unveiled the profound philosophy of Chinese literati who expressed their sentiments and aspirations within the captivating beauty of nature and landscapes. On the other hand, the exhibition presented traditional customs of ordinary people, such as the emphasis on loyalty, filial piety, propriety, and righteousness, the expectation of a prosperous family with many descendants, the wish for auspiciousness and longevity, and the charm of independence. It also showcased the unique characteristics of Chinese opera, dance, and zodiac animals.
Liechtenstein is renowned worldwide for its beautiful stamp designs and rich subject matter, earning it the title of "the Kingdom of Stamps." In light of this, the exhibition specially designed the section "Paintings in Stamps" to engage in an artistic dialogue across time and space with Liechtenstein, the "Kingdom of Stamps."
In 1980, to reflect the artistic achievements of Qi Baishi, an outstanding master of modern Chinese painting, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the People's Republic of China issued a set of special stamps called Selected Works of Qi Baishi. The set consisted of 16 stamps featuring original paintings by Qi Baishi, designed by Shao Bailin, a famous stamp designer in China, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. The 16 paintings featured on the stamps were created by Qi Baishi after he turned 60, and nine of them are housed in the Beijing Fine Art Academy. The stamp designs did not include borders or background colors, allowing the subtle differences between the paintings to blend into the white stamp design, creating a marvellous artistic effect. The exhibition displayed Qi Baishi's paintings together with the original stamps, bringing not only the classic works of a renowned Chinese artist to the European audience but also showcasing the achievements of Chinese stamp design in the "Kingdom of Stamps."
Seizing this opportunity, the Liechtensteinische Post AG collaborated with the Beijing Fine Art Academy to issue a set of 12 stamps titled Qi Baishi – Twelve Zodiac Animals and a set of 10 stamps titled Elegance and Savour: Life, Wisdom and Art in Chinese Culture. These stamp sets served as a testament to the friendly cultural exchange between China and Liechtenstein.
Works Picture
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Selected Works ...
Qi Baishi paper
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The Qi Baishi &...
Qi Baishi paper
Locale Picture
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Speech by Mr. Rainer...
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Speech by Mr. Wu Hon...
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Mr. Wang Jia, the cu...
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Exhibition site of E...
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The theatrical paint...
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Narrating the Chines...
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The concept of elega...
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The paintings of Qi ...
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Two sets of stamps w...