Among the performers are singers Liao Changyong, Ayanga and Tan Weiwei, singer-songwriter Xu Song, and actors Cao Lei and Fan Siu-wong, who draw on their talents to present classic works of visual arts in their distinctive ways.
After each performance, the program's presenter Sa Beining, Fan Di'an, dean of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Kang Zhen, vice-president of Beijing Normal University, and Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China, sit with the performers at a round table, together savoring the classics, illustrating their artistic style, aesthetic value and their position in the history of Chinese fine arts.
They also ruminate on associated poems, ones that dovetail with the painting being discussed, to help viewers better understand the work and the spiritual pursuits of Chinese literati in ancient times.
"We aim to find ways that can make ancient poems and paintings come alive," says Tian Mei, chief director of the program.
In bringing the program together, the production team worked closely with experts at the Palace Museum in Beijing, Beijing Normal University, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the National Art Museum of China and other institutions, selecting nearly 60 classic paintings. The aim was to present a clear, viewer-friendly background story for each piece and its artistic and spiritual value. This in turn informs how each performance is brought to fruition.
Tian stresses that in designing the performance, loving attention is given to every single detail.
