Maritime Silk Road Ceramic Cultural Exchange Forum
From October 18 to 21, 2023, the Maritime Silk Road Ceramic Cultural Exchange Forum undertaken by InterCulture was successfully held in Jingdezhen. Diplomats, representatives of economic organizations, cultural institutions and foundations, cultural and art professionals, media, scholars and enterprise representatives from different countries attended the forum and participated in ceramic cultural research activities.
The forum was hosted by Changjiang District Committee, District Government of Jingdezhen City and Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture International Exchange Center, and co-organized by Changjiang District State-owned Assets Management Co., Ltd., Jingdezhen Ningfeng Kiln Ceramic Culture Development Co., Ltd., Jingdezhen Export Porcelain Museum, Shanghai Representative Office of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Germany) and InterCulture (Guangzhou) Culture Development Co., Ltd. The event allowed guests to fully appreciate the aesthetic and cultural value of Jingdezhen ceramics, experience the craftsmanship spirit of “striving for excellence and pursuing perfection”, and strengthen cultural exchanges between China and countries along the Maritime Silk Road through ceramics.
At 15:00 on October 18, the Launching Ceremony of Maritime Silk Road Ceramics Tour Exhibition was held at Jingdezhen Export Porcelain Museum. Cao Xiongtai, Director of the Standing Committee of Jingdezhen Municipal People’s Congress, announced the official launch of the tour exhibition. Ni Weichun, Director of the Management Committee of High-tech Zone and Secretary of Changjiang District Committee, and Martin Fleischer, Former Consul General of Germany in Guangzhou, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Thorsten Giehler, Chief Representative of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in China, Daniela Antonnini, Director of German State Ceramic Museum, leaders of Changjiang District, members of UNESCO Creative Cities Delegation, and members of Maritime Silk Road Ceramic Cultural Exchange Delegation also attended the ceremony.
In his speech, Former Consul General Martin Fleischer pointed out that porcelain, as a medium of cultural and commercial exchange, has played a key role in history and will continue to play its role in the future. Known as “white gold” in German, porcelain has always been at the forefront of Sino-German economic and cultural exchanges. Porcelain decorates daily life with beauty and art, reflecting hundreds of years of craftsmanship and innovation. Beyond practicality, porcelain has promoted the prosperity of enterprises and exchanges and cooperation between artists. It also represents a profound form of diplomacy and trade, opening the door to cooperation and bringing China and Germany closer together. He sincerely wished the event a complete success and hoped to deepen cultural exchanges and international cooperation among countries through the eternal beauty of porcelain.
Professor Wang Xiaohui believed that “technology meets art” is of great importance. Social progress is like climbing a mountain: scientists climb from one side, artists from the other. When they meet at the top, combining their strengths makes them stronger, more interesting and more effective.
B) Ceramic Cultural Exchange Forum
At 16:00 on October 18, guests moved to Zhenbao Hall of Ningfeng Kiln to attend the Maritime Silk Road Ceramic Cultural Exchange Forum, where a fierce collision of ceramic cultural ideas took place. Keynote speakers and panelists included renowned scholars, artists, historians, museum directors, scientists and cultural exchange experts.
The forum started with a keynote speech by Thorsten Giehler, Chief Representative of Germany in China on “How Chinese Export Porcelain Shaped a Globalized World”, reviewing the history of Chinese porcelain exported overseas. Then, Pi Daojian, Famous Art Critic and Professor of the Fine Arts Department of South China Normal University, delivered a speech entitled Strengthen International Exchanges of Ceramic Culture and Promote the Diversified Development of Contemporary Art. Daniela Antonnini, Director and Ceramic Expert of German State Ceramic Museum, shared her insights with Love for Ceramics: Building Global and Digital Connections.
After the keynote speeches, two panel discussions were hosted respectively by Dr. Jasmin Gong, Sino-European Economic and Cultural Exchange Consultant and Co-founder of InterCulture, and Liang Jie, Director of Guangzhou Office of NRW Invest International Business Agency.
Moderator: Dr. Jasmin Gong, Sino-European Economic and Cultural Exchange Consultant, Co-founder of InterCulture
Guests:
• Thomas Eller, President of Randian Magazine, Member of AICA (International Association of Art Critics) and CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art)
• Prof. Dr. Holger Briel, Dean of the Faculty of Culture and Creativity, United International College (UIC)
• Zhao Gang, Former Director of China National Ceramic Museum, Director of Ceramic Committee of Chinese Museums Association, Special Consultant of Export Porcelain Museum
• Prof. Chen Ping, Dean and Professor of Academy of Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries, Jinan University, Chief Chair of UNESCO Chair “World Traditional Handicrafts: Inheritance and Innovation”, Vice President of International Organization of Folk Art (IOV)
Panel Discussion II: Digital Technology Boosts Ceramic Cultural Communication and Trade Promotion
Moderator: Liang Jie, Director of Guangzhou Office of NRW Invest International Business Agency
Guests:
• Wang Xiaohui, Renowned Cross-border Artist, Art Director of Shanghai Digital Art International Fair, Founder of Wang Xiaohui Art Museum
• Prof. Chen Dingding, Professor of School of International Relations, Jinan University, Dean of Intellisia Institute
• Zheng Kuan, Deputy General Manager of 4DAGE
• Yu Zhenrong, Senior Media Professional, Founder of Ceramic Information, Kitchen & Bath Information and TaoWei Network
Finally, the forum concluded successfully with the book launch and signing ceremony of Ceramics of the Maritime Silk Road: How Export Porcelain Shaped a Globalized World by Thorsten Giehler.
2. Maritime Silk Road Ceramic Cultural Research Activities
• Sanbao International Ceramic Art Village
• China National Ceramic Museum
• Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Expo Area
• Yaoli Ancient Town
• Taoyangli Scenic Area
• Fuliang Ancient County Government
• “Art in Fuliang” Exhibition of Fuliang Earth Art Festival
Adopting the Forum + Research model, the event allowed participants to deeply appreciate the aesthetic and cultural value of Jingdezhen ceramics, experience the craftsmanship spirit of “striving for excellence and pursuing perfection”, and strengthen cultural exchanges between China and countries along the Maritime Silk Road through ceramics.
Excerpt from the impression of Teacher Yang, a member of the research group:
“This Jingdezhen research tour was very informative and triggered many thoughts. The overall planning and reception of the research activities were impressive, with great care from the organizers and co-organizers. The richer the daily schedule, the more it tests organizational and coordination capabilities. In this regard, both the ceramic cultural exchange forum and the overall visit route were professionally planned.
From another perspective, through the Spring and Autumn Fair at Taoxi Chuan, I can see that the aesthetic level of Jingdezhen has improved rapidly. As a visitor, I truly saw a spontaneously formed art ecosystem and the accumulated cultural connotation of Jingdezhen, which gives it a unique beauty.
Talent is always the most effective productivity for the sustainable development of a place. Multicultural and international exchanges are always the best way for a place to attract worldwide attention and become a focus. I believe Jingdezhen will have a better future!”