Launching Ceremony of the Tour of the Art of Seal Carving Exhibition for the Beijing Central Axis
On October 10, the Launching Ceremony of the Tour of the Art of Seal Carving Exhibition for the Central Axis of Beijing (First Stop) and the Public Seal Carving Books Donation were held at the China World Art Museum, to create new ways of communicating the value of the world cultural heritage and to tell the story of the Beijing Central Axis in the form of public seal carving art.
The Art of Seal Carving Exhibition for the Central Axis of Beijing and Series of Activities was co-organized by the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, and the Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group Co., Ltd., in partnership with more than 70 professional organizations, universities and colleges, enterprises and public institutions, under the guidance of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the Beijing Central Axis World Heritage Application and Protection Office. More than 300 public seal carving works on display feature active adoption of new fonts, new materials, new techniques and new shapes while inheriting the tradition, making the seal carving art more modern and popular. They fully embodied the distinctive characteristics of seal carving art that keeps up with the times, upholds fundamental principles and breaks new ground, and vividly demonstrated the cultural significance of the Beijing Central Axis, a World Cultural Heritage site. From July 19 to October 10, the exhibition drew over 200,000 visitors. Through the perfect combination of traditional art and modern technology, the exhibition has injected new impetus into the popularization of seal carving among the public.
At the event, a short film reviewed the highlights and achievements of a range of events held from March to October. Among the events were the launching ceremony of the Art of Seal Carving for the Central Axis of Beijing event, the public seal carving experience at the Beijing Children’s Palace, the opening ceremony of the exhibition and the launch of new books, celebrations for the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis into the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the “Seal Carving Towards the Future: Innovation and Development” Seminar on Eighteen Lectures on Public Seal Carving, alongside special lectures, storytelling activities related to the Beijing Central Axis organized by scenic spots along the axis, public seal carving cultural experiences, and designers-in-chief sharing sessions.
Yu Ping, Counselor from the Counselors Office of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government and former Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, delivered a speech on behalf of Director Zhang Lixin. She said that the inscription of the Beijing Central Axis on the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage is the best affirmation of years of protection efforts and high recognition of Beijing’s historical and cultural values. The Art of Seal Carving Exhibition for the Central Axis of Beijing was about to start a wonderful tour. Apart from promoting traditional Chinese culture, it will showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture by using public seal carving as a carrier in the context of international exchange. This will contribute to increasing international cultural exchanges and cooperation. In addition, she expressed her heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers who have worked so hard.
Li Danyang, Artistic Director of the Beijing Gehua Media Group, summarized the exhibition and the series of activities. He stated that this exhibition is the sixth exhibition themed on public seal carving held at the China Millennium Monument since 2019, garnering over 200,000 visitors since it was launched on July 17. Rich in content, the exhibition, with an unprecedented scale and highly active public participation, showed the vibrant energy and flourishing scene of cultural innovation driven by public seal carving. It can be said that during the World Heritage Site application of the Beijing Central Axis, public seal carving played an indispensable role, greatly facilitating the dissemination of cultural heritage among the public.
At the launching ceremony of the exhibition’s tour (first stop), the organizer of the first exhibition solemnly passed the exhibition-theme seal to the organizer of the tour organizer. This symbolized the successful conclusion of the exhibition at the China World Art Museum and the beginning of a new journey. It is reported that the Wangfujing Yintai Center would be the first stop of the tour and after that, the exhibition will be successively carried out in various districts of Beijing, Hubei, Yunnan, and Spain, among other places.
This exhibition also witnessed the launch of two public seal carving books, namely, the Art of Seal Carving for the Central Axis of Beijing: A Public Seal Carving Collection, and the Eighteen Lectures on Public Seal Carving. The two books highlighted the efforts and contributions made by public seal carving enthusiasts for the inheritance and innovation of fine traditional Chinese culture. They can be regarded as a model for realizing creative transformation and innovative development of seal carving art. Since publication, the two books have received positive social responses and enthusiastic support from the readers.
In the Public Seal Carving Books Donation session, the Beijing Arts and Crafts Publishing House, the Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society Publishing House, and the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation donated books to heritage sites along the Beijing Central Axis, cultural institutions and museums, primary and middle schools, colleges and universities. This further advanced the popularization of public seal carving art and the dissemination of the Beijing Central Axis culture.
In the commendation session, the organizing committee of the exhibition and activities awarded 76 organizations and 82 individuals with certificates of honor, including the Best Organizer Award, the Best Supporting Organization Award, the Innovation and Creativity Award, and the Best Volunteer Award. At the same time, the creators of more than 300 pieces of works included in the exhibition were granted collection certificates.
Luo Pengpeng, Honorary Director of the Seal Cutting Institute of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, spoke as the head of the jury. She mentioned that this exhibition exceeded all previous ones in terms of the number of exhibits, the design of the bottom faces, and the innovation of the shapes. As a world cultural heritage, the Beijing Central Axis has attracted global attention. Furthermore, she expressed the hope that the upcoming tour would allow the whole country and even the whole world to experience the Beijing Central Axis as depicted by the art of seal carving.
Afterward, Mei Song, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of our Foundation, presented certificates to Luo Pengpeng, Head of the Jury for the exhibition’s exhibits.
Following the conclusion of the first exhibition, Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group Co., Ltd., on behalf of all participating exhibitors and creators, donated 228 seals to the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation. In return, Secretary-General Mei Song presented him with the donation certificate.
