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The Journey of Ceramics - Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale 2023

On December 15, the grand opening of The Journey of Ceramics - Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale 2023 took place at the Art Museum of Jingdezhen Ceramic University (JCU). This biennale is co-sponsored by key entities including the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Jingdezhen Municipal People’s Government, JCU, International Academy of Ceramics (IAC), and China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. (CAEG).

The opening ceremony was presided over by Lyu Jinquan, Vice President of JCU. Several guests addressed the audience, sharing their insights and enthusiasm for the Biennale, including Lang Daoxian, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee; Han Zhiyu, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism; Cui Suxiang, Standing Committee Member of Jingdezhen Municipal Committee and Deputy Mayor of Jingdezhen; Li Liangzhi, Party Secretary of JCU; Lyu Pinchang, Chief Curator of the Biennale and President of JCU; Li Baozong, General Manager of CAEG; Torbjørn Kvasbø, President of IAC; Zhu Jinhui, President of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts; and Wu Yueshen, Executive Vice President of China Ceramic Industry Association.

Also present at the opening ceremony were: Fernando Lugris, Ambassador of Uruguay to China; Alberto Jesus Blanco Silva, Ambassador of Cuba to China; Lei Jiehua, Second-level Inspector of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education; Ye Guanrong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jingdezhen University; Liu Zili, full-time Deputy director of Jingdezhen National Ceramic Culture Inheritance and Innovation Experimental Zone; Gao Xiang, member of the Party Committee of Jingdezhen Municipal Government and full-time Deputy director of the National Experimental Zone; Tang Junxiong, Director of the Office of Culture and Media at the Consulate General of the U.S in Wuhan; Wayne Higby, Director of the Art Museum of Alfred University; Jacques Kaufmann, Honorary President of IAC; Tapio Yli-Viicari, professor of Aalto University, Finland; Luigi Sepiaci, Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Viterbo, Italy; Sergio, Dean of the College of Art, Ohio State University; Mitsuo Shoji, professor of School of Art, University of Sydney; Lim Hun-ja, professor of Dankook University and President of Korea Ceramic Society; Rahmi Atalay, Director of the School of Art, Anadolu University, Turkey; Woo Kwan-ho, Director of Hongik University Graduate School; Su Xinping, Director of the Academic Committee and former vice president of Central Academy of Fine Arts; Zhu Legeng, Director of Art Creation Research Institute of Chinese National Academy of Arts and member of National Committee of CPPCC; Liu Zheng, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee of China Academy of Art and Deputy director of Ceramic Art Committee of China Artists Association(CAA); Jiao Xingtao, vice president of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and Vice president of China Sculpture Institute; Wu Lei, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee of JCU; vice presidents of JCU—Chen Yunxia, Huang Yong, and Hu Yinjiao; Wu Hengguang, Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of JCU; Professors from JCU—Ouyang Shibin, Zhong Liansheng, Guo Wenlian and Zhang Yalin; Zhang Xuewen, professor at Jingdezhen University; Fang Wenlong, Party Secretary of Jingdezhen Vocational University of Art(JVUA); Feng Xiaosu, President of JVUA; Xing Yanan, vice president of JVUA; Liu Shaoping, former Chairman of Jiangxi Ceramic Industry Association; Wu Lang, Director of Jingdezhen Research Centre of Ceramic Art; Fu Zhongwang, Vice president of China Sculpture Institute; Yang Jianping, professor of School of Fine Arts, Shanghai University, Vice president of China Sculpture Institute; Liu She, Dean of School of Art, Xiamen University, member of The State Council Fine Arts Teaching Committee; Wei Jie, Dean of the School of Design, Jiangnan University, member of The State Council Graduate Education Committee for Design; Xu Yiqi, former China representative of the IAC; Zhang Wei, Director of Sculpture Department of Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA)and deputy secretary-general of Sculpture Art Committee of CAA; Wu Yongping, Director of the National Rites Research Center of CAFA and Deputy director of the Ceramic Committee of CAA; Li He, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University; Yuan Hong, Dean of School of Design, Shandong University of Arts, Secretary General of Ceramic Art Committee of CAA; Zhi Min, Executive vice President of Sculpture Institute of Chinese National Academy of Arts; Yang Zhen, Vice Chairman and secretary-general of Jiangxi Artists Association; Xia Xuebing, Dean of School of Fine Arts, Jiangxi Normal University, Vice chairman of Jiangxi Artists Association; He Qian, Chief Executive Officer of KITO; Lin Wei, Vice president of China Ceramic Industry Association; Xiao Yanqin, Director of Dowstone Art Museum; and Hu Xiaojun, Head of the Jiangxi Reporter Station of Guang Ming Daily.

Lang Daoxian emphasized that ceramics are a treasure of China, a vital representation of Chinese civilization, and a significant cultural symbol of Jiangxi. The Biennale serves not only as a platform for promoting Chinese ceramic culture but also as a means of respecting and exchanging ideas with global ceramic culture. It acts as a bridge between Chinese and world cultures, offering a platform for ceramic artists to showcase their talents, engage in mutual learning, and progress together. By featuring outstanding ceramic works from artists worldwide, the Biennale enables us to delve into the spiritual and emotional experiences of artists, appreciate the diversity of ceramic art across various cultural backgrounds, understand the allure of Chinese ceramic culture, and stay abreast of the latest developments in global ceramic culture. This Biennale is poised to foster further dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation between Jiangxi and other cities in China and around the world.

According to Han Zhiyu, Jingdezhen is a crucial new platform for international cultural exchanges, and Jingdezhen porcelain serves as a significant cultural symbol for China globally. In this new era of development, the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism organized the Biennale to implement the guiding ideology of Secretary General Xi Jinping and the spirit of his address in Jiangxi. This initiative represents a fantastic practice aimed at promoting the integration and development of traditional skills and contemporary art. Such an art event will contribute to the deeper construction of the Jingdezhen National Ceramic Culture Inheritance and Innovation Experimental Zone. It will also accelerate innovation in the ceramic culture industry, not only in Jiangxi but across the country, ultimately boosting the global prosperity of ceramic art and facilitating multicultural exchanges and mutual learning under the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Cui Suxiang underlined the significant role of ceramics as a cultural symbol in Chinese civilization, noting that Jingdezhen owes its existence and prosperity to porcelain. This Biennale, as per the directives of Secretary General Xin Jinping’s Address in Jiangxi, serves as a crucial initiative. Beyond that, it functions as a bridge for the exchange of ceramic culture and art, seamlessly connecting the past and future, tradition and modernity, and the East and West. With the construction and development of Jingdezhen city entering a new phase, Cui urged ceramic artists to embrace the "Journey of Ceramics" as an opportunity to collectively contribute to the prosperity and development of Chinese ceramic culture. She encouraged them to showcase the allure of Chinese culture to the global audience and collaboratively script a new chapter in world ceramic culture.

Li Liangzhi, speaking on behalf of JCU, extended a warm welcome to leaders, guests, and artists from around the world attending the opening ceremony. He underscored ceramics as a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation and a representative card for showcasing China's outstanding traditional culture to the world. As the only multidisciplinary university named after ceramics in China, JCU has consistently adhered to its original mission of "promoting Chinese ceramic culture and revitalizing China's ceramic industry." JCU has created the academic brand of "Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale" and has played a pivotal role in establishing the Belt and Road International Ceramic Education Alliance. The university leverages its strengths in talent support, intellectual guidance, scientific and technological innovation, and cultural leadership. The fine works showcased in this Biennale, reflecting diverse cultural backgrounds and thematic forms, present a fresh perspective on ceramic art in this era. This not only serves as a robust measure to promote the construction of the national pilot zone but also stands as a significant practice in narrating the Chinese story through ceramic culture and fostering the global development of ceramic art. Li expressed sincere hopes that ceramic artists, both domestic and international, would utilize the Biennale as a platform for mutual learning and collaboration, creating a new trajectory for ceramic art on the world stage.

Lyu Pinchang, as the curator of the event and a craftsman with over 40 years of experience in art creation, expressed immense pride in his career and a profound sense of mission. The 256 exhibition works shortlisted for the competition of this Biennale represent countries worldwide, offering a diverse array with rich content and varied forms. These works showcase the inherent nature and artistic value of ceramic materials, facilitating a dialogue, exchange, and integration between different cultures. The Biennale serves as a two-way bridge connecting China and the world in the realm of ceramic art, fostering a collision of cultures and mutual learning among civilizations. Centered around Jingdezhen and themed around The Journey of Ceramics, the Biennale employs ceramics as a medium to articulate history. The exhibition invites us on a journey exploring culture, time, space, soul, and the unknown, with the goal of establishing Jingdezhen as the global epicenter of ceramics and realizing its ambition to be the "millennium porcelain capital."

Li Baozong highlighted Jingdezhen as a globally recognized ceramic mecca, serving as a key starting point and vital source for the ancient Maritime Silk Road. It also plays a crucial role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among world civilizations. China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. (CAEG) has long been dedicated to constructing cultural exchange platforms in the field of ceramic art with countries worldwide. This Biennale not only facilitates cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Latin America but also strengthens ceramics' role in global multicultural integration. Additionally, it enhances connections between Jingdezhen and other countries boasting splendid ceramic civilizations. He expressed the hope that CAEG, in collaboration with all stakeholders, would deepen the brand connotation of the "Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale." Through this Biennale, serving as a platform for cultural inheritance, innovation, and international exchange, CAEG aims to infuse vitality into the cultural industry of the new era, enriching people's lives. By using ceramic culture as a conduit, CAEG aspires to narrate China's stories, amplify China's voice, and showcase China's contribution to the prosperity of the world's ceramic culture.

Torbjørn Kvasbø stated that Jingdezhen is the ancient porcelain capital of China and the global center of ceramic culture. He commended the city for showcasing the past, present, and future of ceramics, contributing significantly to the prosperity and development of human civilization. JCU, through its unique approach to international ceramic education and cultural exchange, has trained numerous ceramic professionals, making substantial strides in ceramic science and technology innovation and contributing to the development of China's ceramic industry. The IAC is dedicated to strengthening friendships and cooperation among ceramic professionals worldwide and has maintained a longstanding, close partnership with JCU.

Zhu Jinhui pointed out Jingdezhen's role as the porcelain capital for millennia, inheriting excellent Chinese culture and promoting international exchanges in ceramic culture. The art of porcelain, expressed through The Journey of Ceramics, extends beyond artistic essence to harmoniously develop with the global community with a shared future. This Biennale not only showcases the elegance of artists but also offers opportunities for international ceramists to exchange and learn from one another. The hope is that this event will strengthen art exchanges, foster cooperation between universities, and underscore the significance of ceramics in discipline construction, talent training, international inheritance, and exchange.

Wu Yueshen pointed out Jiangxi's significant ceramic industry, with Jingdezhen as the enduring capital of porcelain, occupying an indispensable position in China's ceramic industry. The China Ceramic Industry Association has actively engaged in exchanges and cooperation with international counterparts, working to promote technological progress and expand trade in the ceramic industry. The current exhibition highlights the charm and innovation of ceramic culture worldwide. Through this Biennale, ceramic artists, especially young talents, can broaden their horizons and knowledge, infusing contemporary world ceramic art with vitality. The aspiration is that The Journey of Ceramics will foster exchanges and dialogues with artists from other countries, contributing collaboratively to the prosperity of ceramic art.