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Film Screening of Masses to Masses: Art from Mao's China The Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, screened the film, Masses to Masses: Art from Mao's China, Tuesday evening, September 26, 2006. The 60 minute film details the history of the Cultural Revolution of China through the experience of artist Jin Zhilin. The documentary also covers China's "social realism" and the development of the artistic style "revolutionary romanticism." This event is offered in conjunction with the center's exhibit, "Ancient Threads, Newly Woven: Recent Art from China's Silk Road." The event is open to the public and free. For more information call 965-5100. |
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WEST VALLEY CITY — China's Silk Road was a series of trade routes that connected China to the Mediterranean region. Starting in the ancient capital city now known as Xi'an, it stretched for more than 5,000 miles across deserts, through high mountain passes and on to Constantinople (now Istanbul), Antioch, Damascus, Syria, Persia and even to Rome. 
"On the Street" (oil on canvas, 2001) by Mamat Sultan.
While named (by a 19th-century scholar) for one of the primary trade commodities — the highly prized and made-in-secret Chinese silk — other goods were also traded: gold, gems, metalwork, pottery, paper, spices, teas, horses. But equally important was the transfer of information and culture, creating patterns of influence that extend to this day, says Susan Klinker, programming director for the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, which is currently showing an exhibit titled "Ancient Threads, Newly Woven: Recent Art From China's Silk Road." The show runs through Oct. 17. Co-sponsored by the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy and put together by the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C., the exhibit features 86 paintings by contemporary artists from five regions along the ancient road. It has traveled around the United States for two years; this is its last stop before it goes back to China. It is not what you think of as traditional Chinese art, says Klinker. "You see influences from Russia, from the Middle East." At first glance, the art from one city in the Urumqi region, for example, looks like the traditional rice-paper scrolls you might be familiar with, but a closer look shows differences. "These have strokes that are more bold. Traditional art is usually more delicate and most often depicts man's relationship to nature. These have more activity, a lot more going on," says Klinker. 
"Duolang Musical Gathering," by Abdukerim Nasirdin (oil on canvas, 1995).
Kashgar is the western-most region represented. Art from there shows more of the Eastern European influence — in paintings of baking bread, for example, or a baby in a cradleboard that is decorated with Russian motifs. Art from Lanzhou shows scenes from the Chinese opera. From Xi'an come paintings done with earth and mineral pigments and paintings done on wood. The Dunhuang region is famous for caves that were Buddhist shrines and were buried in the sand for 500 years. Dug out in the 18th century, they are now considered a national treasure and even have a nearby art institute nearby, which was established to study the art. So, it's not a surprise that much of the art from that region is done in the style of the old cave paintings and show an Indian-like Buddhist influence. There is also a collection of "farmer's paintings." "These were done by untrained artists," explains Klinker. "All of the others were done by artists that have studied in the institutes and even in other parts of the world and have reached a very sophisticated level." So, it makes for an interesting contrast to see the works of the folk artists, which depict scenes of everyday life as well as interesting symbolism. One, for example, shows a family sitting down to dinner — inside an egg, which itself is inside a chicken. To one side of the chicken are scenes of rural farm life, but on the other side are modern accoutrements such as a motorcycle and electric stove. Another painting shows acrobats on a tightrope — a popular entertainment. And, there's a dramatic depiction of the weighing of good and evil at the end of life of a man who seems to have not done so well, as the flames are lapping as his body. 
Sarah Ause, Deseret Morning News
The "Ancient Threads, Newly Woven" exhibit features 86 paintings by contemporary artists.
The exhibit gives people a chance to see works by new artists that has rarely been seen outside China, she adds. But she hopes it will also help build understanding of the people and culture of China. "China is becoming so important in the global economy. Yet, many people still think it is mysterious. This exhibit shows that it is a multi-cultural society like ours, with people who have all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of traditions." China has been opening up. "Our guests who have come here tell us that social change is happening there at a rate and scale that is unprecedented in human history," she says. "It's important for us to build understanding and appreciation at the grass-roots level." If you go
What: "Ancient Threads, Newly Woven: Recent Art from China's Silk Road" |
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