Immerse yourself in the magic of Dunhuang
Visitors to the "Meet Dunhuang" exhibition will be taken on a captivating, immersive experience that combines music and painting, sight and sound.
Dunhuang is a synthesis of Eastern and Western civilizations, as well as a perfect fusion of people's inner and exterior essence, vision and heart.
It also embodies the Belt and Road Initiative's ethos of harmony, diversity and beauty.
Date
Through February 26 (closed on Mondays), 10am-6pm
Venue
Meet You Museum in Shanghai 丨 上海遇见博物馆
Address
Bldg 3, 210 Wenshui Rd 丨 汶水路210号3幢
Long Museum marks 10th anniversary with 10 Qing Dynasty masters
Liu Yiqian, founder of Long Museum, once again exhibits his financial power and artistic taste through a special exhibition, "The Era of Brilliant Stars – Masters from Early Qing Dynasty Painting and Calligraphy."
Currently underway at the museum on the West Bund, the exhibition is part of the shows celebrating its 10th anniversary. It features over 30 groups of work by 10 top artists from the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), including Wang Shimin (1592-1680), Wang Jian (1609-1677), Wang Hui (163201717), Wang Yuanqi (1642-1715), Wu Li (1632-1718), Yun Shouping (1633-1690), Bada Shanren (1626-1705), Shi Tao (1642-1707), Hong Ren (1610-1664) and Kun Can (1612-1671). Over half are open to the public for the first time.
Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Hui and Wang Yuanqi are nicknamed the "four Wangs." They, together with Wu Li and Yun Shouping, are known as the "six masters of the Qing Dynasty" or the "orthodox" landscape painters.
Their paintings all place an emphasis on the essence of exemplary work from their predecessors, referring highly to the skills and brushwork of the artists from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). While at the same time, they managed to imbue new verve into the tradition. Their styles dominated painting produced both inside and outside the royal court and exerted a seminal influence upon future generations.
Part of the "Calligraphy and Painting Album" by Hong Ren
Apart from the "four Wangs," there are also the renowned "four monks" – Hong Ren, Kun Can, Bada Shanren and Shi Tao – who were prominent painters coming to the fore during a transitional period in the history of Chinese painting.
On one hand, they inherited the spirit and skills of Chinese painting passed down from the Sui (AD 581-618), Tang (AD 618-907), Song (960-1271) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, while on the other hand, they also carved out a prototype for Chinese painting to modernize.
With a deep concern for the destiny of the nation, they projected their perception and feelings toward the country and its people onto their landscape paintings. Instead of simply imitating exemplary work from previous dynasties, the "four monks" chose an alternative path, bringing their creativity into full play.
"Four Scrolls of Bird and Duck" by Bada Shanren
For example, Bada Shanren or Zhu Da, came from a royal family and was a noted eccentric and genius.
As a child prodigy, he began painting and writing poetry in his early childhood. After the collapse of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhu Da became a Buddhist monk in 1648. The fall of the Ming era and the death of his father probably made him distress, and he hovered between real insanity and impassioned creativity. His paintings feature sharp brushstrokes which are attributed to the sideways manner by which he held his brush. The birds under his brushstrokes often roll their eyes, as if to release the disgruntled feelings of the painter.
Date
Through February 28 (closed on Mondays), 10am-5:30pm
Venue
Long Museum West Bund 丨 龙美术馆西岸馆
Address
3398 Longteng Ave 丨 龙腾大道3398号
1
Valentine Extravaganza
Treat yourself to an online shopping spree this week at JS Markets Valentine's Day Virtual Market. Pick up a little something for all your Valentines at this two-day online showcase of goods from artisan vendors. Most of them deliver anywhere in China.
February 7: Pantry, Health & Beauty, Kids & Pets
February 8: Art & Home, Jewelry, Fashion
2
Sea Horizon Exhibition
Want to know how Shanghai residents celebrated the Spring Festival in olden times? Head to the Shanghai History Museum and discover the folk customs related to the most important festival for Chinese people. The exhibition features 82 sets of collections from the museum, such as nianhua (年画), or New Year's paintings, old Shanghai-style calendar, playbills and toys of a bygone era and Xiaojiaochang prints.
Date
Through February 26 (closed on Mondays), 9am-5pm
Venue
Shanghai History Museum 丨 上海历史博物馆
Address
325 Nanjing Rd W. 丨 南京西路325号
3
A colorful exploration of ceramics
Ceramics have accompanied the development of human civilization since the Neolithic Age. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, China took the lead in stepping onto the world stage of porcelain art. A colorful and splendid roll of ceramic art presents a feast for the eyes with works from 30 artists.
Date
Through February 28
Venue
Baoku Culture Center, 37/F, Shanghai Tower 丨 上海中心大厦37层宝库文化中心
Address
501 Yincheng Rd M. 丨 银城中路501号
Click the pictures to read past stories ↓
Editor: Su Yanxian
Designer: Shi JingyunWriter: Ke Jiayun, Wang JiePhoto: Ti Gong, Jiang Xiaowei, Ke Jiayun