Intangible cultural heritage dazzles Paris

A porcelain scroll of Lantingji Xu (Preface to the Collection of Poems of the Orchid Pavilion) is one of the highlights of the Exposition Reviving Craft exhibition in Paris. CHINA DAILY

Display of Chinese art highlights intricate craftsmanship and long history of exchange, Yang Feiyue reports.

Traditional puppetry, embroidery, New Year woodblock prints and wood carvings are creating a strong Chinese vibe at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in the western wing of the Louvre Museum in the French capital.

On a large high-definition screen, visitors can glimpse the skills passed down through generations of Chinese artisans that are used to turn the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth into works of art, as well as the way modern inheritors have pulled off a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.

It is part of Exposition Reviving Craft, an ongoing show about aspects of intangible cultural heritage and modern design included in the framework of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism in 2024 by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"Cultural and artistic exchange between China and France has a long history. This exhibition aims to present the works of intangible cultural heritage masters and contemporary designers to the world, injecting new vitality into cultural diversity and cross-cultural exchange," says Yang Lan, chair of the Sun Media Group and co-curator of the exhibition, which opened on July 5 and will run until Friday.

"The exhibition follows the concept of the five elements, highlighting the mutual influence, transformation and fusion," Yang says.

Handicrafts such as filigree inlay, woodwork, bamboo weaving, tea making, wine-making, ceramics, and textile embroidery are present to represent those elements, she adds.

"Combining Chinese aesthetics with multimedia and AI presentation technology, the exhibition creates an immersive and interactive experience. It allows the audience to understand the natural and cultural environments of intangible cultural heritage, the creation process, and the emotions it embodies, fostering a sense of empathy," Yang adds.

In the metal space, visitors can try on pieces of jewelry, and even customize them to their taste using artificial intelligence, and learn traditional carpentry via digital demonstrations in the wood space.

The exhibition is hosted by the media company in conjunction with China National Brand, a brand-related news platform, and brings together some 100 pieces by 40 outstanding artisans and designers, as well as 20 participating brands and institutions. It is an opportunity for visitors to see the magnificent millennia-long culture of China.