Publisher: WU Chunyan | Guangming Daily

Date: July 2, 2024

In a visionary endeavor encapsulating the essence of cultural renaissance, Jinan University's UNESCO Chair on World Traditional Handicrafts: Inheritance and Innovation orchestrated a seminal seminar titled Cultural Confidence and New China-Chic at the prestigious NEEDART Art Space, nestled within the vibrant cultural milieu of Vanke Times Center in Beijing's Chaoyang District.

Central to the seminar's thematic discourse are four core pillars encompassing the contemporary continuum of traditional handicrafts, the symbiosis between cultural expression, lifestyle, and spatial aesthetics, strategies for safeguarding and revitalizing cultural heritage, and the strategic frameworks underpinning brand elevation, marketing initiatives, and communication strategies. Delving deep into the crucible of dialogue, the seminar imparts a profound narrative on preserving and propagating China's rich traditional heritage while orchestrating a transformative narrative of China-Chic endowed with global resonance in the epoch of accelerated digital progression.

Spanning an expanse of vital topics, the deliberations probe into the catalytic role of national professional industry consortia, the symbiotic interplay between designers and contemporary design paradigms, the architectural trysts with traditional design aesthetics, the empowerment dynamics of female inheritors, the contemporary valorization of traditional handicrafts, an incisive foray into the symbolization of Chinese aesthetics, the strategic landscape of university education and talent incubation, the artistry enshrined within cultural and creative products, and the reverberating resonance of color aesthetics and life philosophies. The discourse, characterized by its meticulous detailing and incisive insights, advances practical and actionable pathways for fortifying cultural legacies and enkindling resonant narratives in the domain of cultural exploration and dissemination.

Championing the symphonic vision of cultural revitalization, Chen Ping, the distinguished Chief Chair of the UNESCO Chair on World Traditional Handicrafts: Inheritance and Innovation, and the erudite Dean of the Institute of Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries at Jinan University, articulated the noble genesis of the seminar. Manifesting a synergistic amalgam of academic rigor and pragmatic vision, Chen Ping delineated the Chair's overarching objectives, action plans, and aspirational horizons, underscoring a clarion call for collaborative exchange and interdisciplinary synergy to harness the Chair's global platform for nurturing a seminal bridge between Chinese heritage and the global consciousness.

Complementing this visionary narrative, Professor Lin Zhenzhong, the co-initiator and visionary designer of the seminar, evoked historical echoes tracing back to the efflorescence of Chinese style in 18th-century France, encapsulated within the evocative realm of Chinoiserie. Embracing a fervent commitment to life aesthetics and cultural rejuvenation, Lin Zhenzhong underscored the transformative potential inherent in rallying diverse stakeholders towards resuscitating the quintessence of Chinese style, birthing a transformative paradigm of New China-Chic destined to resonate across global corridors, engendering a newfound narrative of cultural pride and self-assurance.

Augmenting this resounding clarion call for cultural renaissance, Professor Wang Zhong, the esteemed luminary heralding from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, impelled a visionary proposition uniting artistic ingenuity and urban design prowess to infuse vitality into urban public spaces, enshrining a quintessence of cultural aura and urban ambience that reflects the soul of cities. Propounding a collaborative ethos integrating the creative process of artists, planners, architects, and engineers, Wang Zhong underscored the imperative of sculpting urban realms that pulsate with vibrancy, narrative depth, and cultural resonance, echoing a resounding commitment towards shaping tomorrow's cities imbued with a palimpsest of cultural efflorescence.

Central to UNESCO's venerable mandate on World Traditional Handicrafts: Inheritance and Innovation, this seminal seminar marks a pivotal milestone in the Chair's odyssey, emblematic of a broader commitment towards nurturing a kaleidoscope of galvanizing dialogues, cultural epiphanies, and enduring narratives propelling the frontiers of traditional culture dissemination and invigoration. As the Chair heralds a legacy imbued with cultural aplomb, the vista of forthcoming seminars beckons an era of continuous innovation, cultural valorization, and narrative fortitude, weaving an indelible tapestry of cultural pride and resilience.

In crystallizing the profound ethos of cultural renaissance and narrative resurgence, Jinan University's UNESCO Chair resounds as a beacon of luminous promise, beckoning a collective endeavor embracing the unparalleled splendor of China's cultural patrimony, transposed into a vibrant tableau resonating across the global cultural landscape.

This seminal dialogue is a clarion call for an epoch defined by cultural symbiosis, narrative enrichment, and creative ferments poised to illuminate cross-cultural corridors, fostering a newfound dawn of cultural luminescence and self-assured vibrancy.