The "flowers" bloom happily on the mirror surface, and the colors on the petals flow out naturally, wandering between the gold threads. Everyone who looks in the mirror interacts with the mirror, forming an infinite mirror image. Not long ago, at the 50th anniversary symposium of the sister city agreement between Shanghai and Osaka and the 2024 Chinese New Year reception, the cloisonné enamel work "Flowers, Vientiane" from China attracted many Chinese and Japanese guests to take photos in the mirror and became one of the highlights of the event.
"Flowers, Vientiane", which has amazed countless Chinese and Japanese friends, was completed by Dong Hui, a young artist from Wujing Town, Minhang District, in collaboration with cross-border artist Hu Yiwei during the training of PACC (Shanghai Public Art Collaborative Innovation Center) Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors.
"Flowers" go to sea, covering "Vientiane".
According to reports, the cloisonné enamel work "Flowers, Vientiane" is inspired by the "Vientiane" in traditional Chinese philosophy, and the whole work is completed on a metal mirror base, which not only shows the charm of cloisonné enamel technology, but also conveys profound cultural connotation and artistic expression.
The cloisonné enamel on the mirror is symmetrical, but the colors are completely different – the warm color on the left represents beauty, and the dark color on the right symbolizes trouble. In the painting, there are not only peonies that symbolize wealth and beauty, ears of wheat full of vitality, wings yearning for freedom, and the sun that symbolizes eternity and light, but also many intertwined curves, representing the troubles of the world. On a mirror, the harmony and harmony of all life forms, cultural elements or abstract concepts shows the creator's understanding and perception of the world, and also embodies the concept of "Vientiane" in traditional Chinese philosophy.
It is a great honor to be the representative of the Shanghai Folk Literature and Art Association to bring "Flowers: Vientiane" to the sea to show the world China's intangible cultural heritage skills. Dong Hui said.
It is reported that 2024 coincides with the 50th anniversary of the sister city establishment between Shanghai and Osaka, and in order to actively promote sister city exchanges, at the invitation of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Osaka, under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the Shanghai Mass Art Museum (Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center) and the Shanghai Folk Literature and Art Association have selected outstanding intangible cultural heritage projects and performers that can reflect the characteristics of Shanghai culture and Jiangnan culture. Formed a Shanghai intangible cultural heritage exchange group to Japan and participated in the theme seminar on the 50th anniversary of the friendship city between Shanghai and Osaka and the 2024 Chinese New Year reception.
As one of the exhibited works, "Flowers: Vientiane" shows the unique traditional culture of Shanghai and is loved by many Chinese and Japanese friends. At the event, everyone took a commemorative look at the mirror and admired this traditional skill from China. As a creator, Dong Hui is full of pride in her heart.
When people stand in front of the mirror, they jointly present this work of "Flowers, Vientiane", and the changes formed by the interaction between each passer-by looking in the mirror and the mirror surface truly interpret the "Vientiane". It's great that traditional Chinese techniques and philosophical reflections resonate so much. ”
The other works in the Blossom series show the unique Shanghainese culture.
Enamel charm, wonderful bloom.
During the exhibition in Osaka, four young artists from Shanghai, including Dong Hui, brought a variety of activities to Chinese and Japanese friends, such as a demonstration of cloisonné enamel making skills, a performance of Kunqu opera, a display of rock color paintings, paper-cutting, blessing characters, and on-site calligraphy and painting gifts of golden dragons.
Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange Group to Japan (Li Shiyi left 1, Dong Hui left 3).
The participants were very impressed with our demonstration of skills and were particularly interested in the art of cloisonné enamel. They were not only shocked by the delicate craftsmanship, but also expressed their high recognition and appreciation for the rich cultural and philosophical concepts contained in the works. Dong Hui recalled.
At the event, she and her companion, Li Shiyi, a young inheritor of intangible cultural heritage Shanghai paper-cutting, worked together to design a picture of cloisonné enamel works to commemorate this meaningful moment. The works not only show the unique charm of Shanghai-style culture and Jiangnan culture, but also convey the deep cultural ties and lasting friendship between the two cities through the traditional and exquisite intangible cultural heritage skills of cloisonné enamel.
It is worth mentioning that Xue Jian, Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Osaka, also participated in the experience of the blue art of cloisonné enamel painting. Other guests and friends also joined in, through hands-on practice, to experience the ingenuity of the intangible cultural heritage cloisonné enamel production process up close, and to experience the historical memory and humanistic value carried by China's intangible cultural heritage.
Inherit intangible cultural heritage and rejuvenate it.
After returning from the show, Dong Hui is still busy. As a young artist, Dong Hui deeply feels the importance of the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage skills, and is committed to contributing to the protection and development of cloisonné enamel, a precious intangible cultural heritage. "In today's era, we should actively explore the integration of traditional intangible cultural heritage skills and modern cultural and creative industries, so that cloisonné enamel can radiate new vitality. Dong Hui said.
In the process of designing and developing cultural and creative products, Dong Hui combines the local cultural elements of Wujing Town with the intangible cultural heritage cloisonné enamel skills to explore creative and regional artistic practices. Among the cultural and creative products that have been developed and produced, there are a series of works with the theme of lotus in Lianhua South Road, including bookmarks, teacups and tea trays, paperweights, pendants, etc.
With the support of the relevant departments of Wujing Town, she has also carried out a series of activities such as bringing intangible cultural heritage into communities, parks, and campuses, so that more people have the opportunity to contact and learn this traditional art, so as to further promote the inheritance and innovation of cloisonné enamel skills in Wujing Town and even in a larger area.
It is hoped to connect tradition and modernity, art and life, attract more young people to join the intangible cultural heritage inheritance team, and jointly promote the better development of cloisonné enamel, an intangible cultural heritage, in the context of the new era. At the same time, I also hope that through more international exchange activities, cloisonné enamel will be promoted to the world stage and show the profound connotation and unique charm of traditional Chinese culture. Dong Hui said.