First Exhibition: Carving Splendor, Molding the New—A Special Exhibition on the Inheritance of Palace Craftsmanship

The "Carving Brilliance, Shaping the New: Inheriting Imperial Craftsmanship" special exhibition relies on the open project of the Palace Museum in Beijing, "Research on the Inheritance of Qing Dynasty Imperial Craftsmanship Examples," and its team's research achievements. It focuses on the theoretical concept of the "Palace Museum cultural circle" and the inheritance of Qing Dynasty imperial craftsmanship for its exhibition. Qing Dynasty imperial craftsmanship represents the pinnacle of ancient Chinese artistry. Its exquisite techniques, opulent style, and rich cultural connotations are not only treasures of traditional Chinese culture but also an important part of world cultural heritage. In the exhibition area dedicated to the achievements of Qing Dynasty imperial craftsmanship, numerous precious imperial artifacts from the Qing Dynasty are displayed, including Ding ware, enamels, wooden crafts, inkstones, embroidery, and textiles. The exhibition centers on the contemporary revival of Qing Dynasty imperial craftsmanship, exploring the living protection and functional transformation of cultural heritage.

These imperial artifacts possess not only immense artistic value but also contain rich cultural information. They reflect various aspects of the Qing Dynasty, such as politics, economy, culture, and religion, and serve as important material evidence for studying ancient Chinese history and culture. Through this exhibition, visitors can intuitively experience the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture and appreciate the wisdom and creativity of ancient artisans. At the same time, it raises awareness of the importance of protecting and inheriting traditional culture. These precious cultural heritages are the spiritual wealth of the Chinese nation, and we need to cherish and protect them.

"Carving Brilliance, Shaping the New: Exhibition of Imperial Craftsmanship Achievements" Sub-exhibition Hall

This event was jointly organized by Beijing Shouwenke Cultural Creative Property Co., Ltd., the Academic Committee of the China Cultural Industry Association, the Cultural Industry Research Institute of Hebei University, and the Institute for Regional and Country Studies of Hebei University, in collaboration with the Art Education Professional Committee of the China Education Development Strategy Society, Beijing International Cultural Trade Service Center, and other organizations. It attracted artists and scholars from multiple countries, including China, Japan, Korea, the UK, Italy, and Mauritius, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Liu Changquan, former Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Li Tao (Deputy Department level), former Head of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhang Feng, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Hebei University, Yang Xiuwen, Secretary-General of the Art Education Professional Committee of the China Education Development Strategy Society, and Lu Haihong, Chairman of Beijing Shouwenke Cultural Creative Property Co., Ltd., attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches, elucidating the deep connections between art education, cultural trade, and mutual learning among civilizations.

The "Carving Brilliance, Tracing the New: Inheriting Imperial Craftsmanship" special exhibition, supported by the Palace Museum Research Center, is the first to attempt the "university + intangible cultural heritage workshop" model. Through teaching practices in traditional Qing Dynasty imperial weaving, such as palace carpets and Jing embroidery, it explores modern pathways for skill inheritance.

This event is not only an art display platform but also an effective bridge for the industrial transformation of educational achievements. Secretary-General Yang Xiuwen pointed out that the exhibition works by young artists from Tsinghua Academy of Fine Arts and the China Academy of Art reflect the phased achievements of universities in building a "production, learning, research, and application" system for aesthetic education. At the same time, it has achieved an effective connection from academia to market through an investment and entrepreneurship mechanism.

The National Foreign Cultural Trade Base - Beijing Free Trade Art Zone, in collaboration with over 20 institutions including the Wu Guanzhong Art Research Center of Tsinghua University and the Korean Artists Association in China, jointly built a full-chain art ecosystem of "exhibition - discussion - trade." Li Tao pointed out in his speech that the Beijing Free Trade Art Zone is accelerating its international cultural trade layout through a "art incubation - international promotion" dual-platform mechanism, helping Beijing build itself into a global cultural trade hub.

It is reported that this series of exhibitions will continue until July 20, with four themed exhibition areas open to the public during this period. Professor Du Hao, chief planner of the "Colorful World, Creative China" themed exhibition, pointed out that this event uses art as a medium, integrating education, industry, and international communication. It not only implements the spirit of the UN Convention on Cultural Diversity but also provides a practical sample for China's "going global" cultural strategy.