"Beijing Central Axis Imprints – Public Seal Carving Works Exhibition" kicks off in Beijing

To vigorously sustain and develop outstanding traditional Chinese culture, tell the story of the Beijing Central Axis, and support the preservation of the old city of Beijing, the opening ceremony of "Beijing Central Axis Imprints – Public Seal Carving Works Exhibition" and the book launch of Beijing Central Axis Imprints – Public Seal Carving Works Collection and Eighteen Lectures on Public Seal Carving were held at the China World Art Museum on July 19. Li Jie, a board member of the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, presided over the opening ceremony.

Under the guide of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the Office for Protection and Application of Beijing Central Axis for World Heritage, the exhibition was co-organized by the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group, and the China World Art Museum, in collaboration with organizations including the Tian’anmen Management Committee under the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing History Research Society, and Beijing Children's Palace. The event has also received strong support and active participation from organizations such as the Institute of Chinese Seal Engraving of Chinese National Academy of Arts, the Seal Engraving Art Branch of National Calligraphy and Painting Educational Association, the National Art Museum of China, Higher Education Press, Fudan University, Xiling Seal Engraver's Society Publishing House, State Grid Corporation of China, China National Building Material Group Co. Ltd., CRRC Corporation Limited, Sinosteel Corporation, and Beijing Gongmei Group.

Yu Ping, Counselor of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and former Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, delivered a speech at the ceremony. He pointed out that the "Beijing Central Axis Imprints – Public Activities of Seal Carving Art" is an important public event for promoting the protection of the cultural heritage of the Beijing Central Axis. The event showcases the historical value and cultural charm of the Beijing Central Axis through the art of calligraphy and seal carving. It not only provides the public with a chance to have in-depth understanding of the cultural heritage of the Beijing Central Axis but also encourages creative works with traditional art and offers an opportunity to exhibit many outstanding works. This event not only helps interpret the value of the Beijing Central Axis but also promotes traditional Chinese civilization.

As an important part of the exhibition and an effort to meet the public's demand to learn more about the culture of the Beijing Central Axis, Beijing Arts and Crafts Publishing House of Beijing Publishing Group and Xiling Seal Engraver's Society Publishing House have collaborated for the first time to publish Beijing Central Axis Imprints – Public Seal Carving Works Collection. The Eighteen Lectures on Public Seal Carving, written by the Editorial Committee of the Public Seal Carving Series and published by Xiling Seal Engraver's Society Publishing House, was also launched during the exhibition's opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony, the organizers donated books on public seal carving to 11 educational institutions, including Beijing Normal University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing No. 3 High School, Beijing No. 80 High School, the Third Affiliated Middle School of Beijing Normal University, Xinxin School Affiliated to Peking University, Beijing Primary School, Fuxue Hutong Primary School, and the Affiliated Primary School of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, hoping to introduce more young students to this art form and inspire them to explore its endless possibilities with new perspectives and thinking.

Additionally, taking seal carving as a bridge, Luo Pengpeng, Honorary Dean of the Institute of Chinese Seal Engraving of Chinese National Academy of Arts, and Jadestone seal engraver Xu Chengtao donated their meticulously designed seal carving artworks to the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation. Through the foundation's platform, more people can appreciate and learn from these artworks, continuing the cultural legacy of the Beijing Central Axis. Mr. Mei Song, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, accepted the donation on behalf of the foundation.

Finally, the guests at the ceremony jointly stamped the thematic seal "Xin Zhi" on the public seal carving books to officially open the exhibition.

Calligraphy and seal carving are closely related; calligraphy provides the foundation and inspiration for seal carving, while seal carving extends and expresses the art of calligraphy. An exhibition of award-winning works from the "Balance and Harmony: The Central Axis" calligraphy contest in the "2024 Competition for the Transmission and Promotion of Beijing Central Axis", is on display at the China World Art Museum simultaneously with the "Beijing Central Axis Imprints – Public Seal Carving Works Exhibition".